day 1107

Komodo trip, June 2010. 
Pic 39 of 39. 

It was another great trip, in many ways. No phone connection, no email, no internet, beautiful views, wonderful dive sites, good boat, good crews, good travel mates, good night sleeps, good food, good dives, good lazy time under the sunshine, good afternoon naps. And unexpected good companion.

As mentioned, the trip started earlier. Actually at the date of this post, even though the pictures are dated earlier. Simply because I was not keeping this blog on time lately. Will try to keep the pace now. 

day 1106

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 38 of 39.

The important rudder while swimming.

day 1105

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 37 of 39.

day 1104

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 36 of 39.

day 1103

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 35 of 39.

day 1102

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 34 of 39.

day 1101

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 33 of 39.

See the rubbish in the background, the bright blue slipper, for the sense of measurement, that it doesn't do any justice to categorise this guy as a lizard!

day 1100

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 32 of 2010.

Last but not least, the mighty dragon itself. Pictures were taken from Rinca Island, where some komodos were having the late morning sun bathing session.

I swear this guy was smiling and posing for us!

day 1099

Komodo trip, June 2010. 
Pic 31 of 39. 

Reunion with Sanur after 14 years, when I had to spend a night each before and after the trip.

And I was weeping. I didn’t even have a heart to take a single picture of the area. Where has that long stretch of white sandy beach gone? Are these buildings everywhere really what Balinese wish? Where are those empty alleys lined up with traditional gates of the wee charming cottages? Where are those wave’s songs? 

Send the answers on one of those post card sold there please – ironically with picture of Sanur beach as it used to be. 

day 1098

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 30 of 39.

day 1097

Komodo trip, June 2010. 
Pic 29 of 39.

A night dive at Gili Lawalaut Bay. Not a very special site, compared to highly mentioned Torpedo Alley. But it means many people skipped the dive that night. So it was three of us. A relaxing, enjoyable, and memorable dive. No squarish sea cucumber we were looking for, but we have some nudis, flatworms, crabs, and ah, a sea hare :) And it happened it was my 50th dive that night. 

Another dive that I will always remember fondly...

day 1096

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 28 of 39, picture was taken from the trip video by PJ Widestrand.

We had such beautiful star gazing sessions, just like what this Stargazer does :)

day 1095

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 27 of 39.

The pet captured on somebody's orange-throne-sofa.

day 1094

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 26 of 39.

A section of the beautiful view we kept gazing at.

day 1093

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 25 of 39.

Sunset at Sangeang, taken while having one of those idling chats, this one was on the back of the sun-deck.

day 1092

Komodo trip, June 2010. 
Pic 24 of 39.

It was the star gazing sessions. The flow of the water on the radar tower. The peaceful and quiet evenings. The dinner time. The hydroid’s burnt. The turn-into-pumpkin time. The afternoon naps. The talking shyte sessions. The cold feet. The good looking glasses. The jumpers. The restless. The orange throne sofa.  The Pink Floyd’s Another Brick on the Wall (!)

And the nudis. Maldives. Hammerheads. Mantas. Whitetips. 

I was indeed captivated. And blinded. But am smiling fondly for the memory. Thank you, may our paths cross again someday...

day 1091

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 23 of 39, picture was taken from the trip video by PJ Widestrand.

day 1090

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 22 of 39, picture was taken from the trip video by PJ Widestrand.

day 1089

Komodo trip, June 2010.
Pic 21 of 39.

The actual Manta Alley.

day 1088

Komodo trip, June 2010. 
Pic 20 of 39.

It was my 48th dive. Late morning dive, the second dive in Manta Alley. Sugi placed me on the alley, a little bit on the right side, facing the current. Yes, the mantas’ treadmill, where they flex their wings. And oh heaven they did. So close on my left side, I could feel the water flip from their wing. I could see their black eyes staring at me, amused, looking at me struggling against the current, hanging for my dear life. And they were above me too, so close, I thought it soon would crash me underneath. But of course, it didn’t.

A graceful, gentle, curious and beautiful creature. One of those dives I am sure I will remember always.