The rich and beautiful nature of Indonesia is proven once more by the komodo dragons and the breathtaking pink sandy beach.
Many of us are probably already well-acquianted with the Komodo National Park. Occupying a total area of 1,817 km², the park includes the islands of Komodo, GiliMota, Rinca, Padar and Nusa Kode. In addition to its beauty, the name of this park located in West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, is indeed very easy to remember. It is derived from the giant lizard living on it, the Komodo Dragon (Varanuskomodoensis).
Komodo dragon is an endangered animal that can only be found in the Komodo National Park. No less than 2,500 of these ancient creatures live in the area. A komodo has an average length of 3 meters and can weigh up to 150 kilograms. Their large size comes with seemingly ominous scaling and tongue that would make anyone tremble when it gets near. A komodo only needs one bite to paralyze its prey because their saliva contains numerous deadly bacteria. Tourists accompanied by a well-experienced guide, however, can still see this beast in person. It is guaranteed that your travel to the Komodo National Park will be very challenging and fun.
Apart from the endemic dragon, the national park also offers a resort area at the fascinating Pink Beach. As the name implies, it is one of the seven existing pink beaches in the world and is just one of the many amazing features that you can find in Komodo National Park.
This exceptional beach gets its striking color from the microscopic animals called foraminifera, a type of protozoan that lives in great profusion in reef environments which produce a red pigment on the coral reefs. The red gets mixed in with other reef debris-broken clam and snail shells, fragments of coral and, when washed ashore, forms the island’s signature pink sand.
Once you have finished taking in the magnificent surroundings, take a dip in the waters and uncover the marine beauty that the Pink Beach has to offer. Amazing corals of all shapes and sizes jut from the sea bed, many even visible while still aboard your vessel. Obviously, snorkeling and diving have become compulsory activities while visiting this beach.
photos by
Ministry of Tourism
