Chasing dragons: Komodo and Rinca Island

We arrived at Labuan Bajo, Flores a little late, but luckily already had our tour arranged. It cost us 170 USD for the tour which included but he following:

Pick up from the smallest airport in the world. They pass our bags to us through a window.
A boat ride out at sunset with a delicious lunch,snack, and dinner. We were also able to see jumping dolphins and flying fish.

A late night swim and evening looking at stars on the boat.
A night on the boat. This wasn't the most comfortable simply because of the fact that there was no air circulation in the cabin. Our friends had a mouse in their room and ended up sleeping in the open air dining area. 

A early morning breakfast followed by a 5km trek of komodo island. It took about 1.5 hours and we were able to see komodos, green pigeons, yellow cockatoos, native deer, civet cat, and spectacular views of the island. Our ranger also picked us fresh custard apples as a snack.
We returned to the boat for avocado smoothies and snorkeling off of pink beach where we could see trigger, parrot, and banner fish.

watch out! hunting komodo ahead!

check those muscles

Then we ate lunch while being transferred to Rinca island for another 5km trek. Here we saw water buffalo, wild pigs, smaller komodos, and the trip ended with spotting a baby komodo dragon. This trek had excellent views.

sticks used for poking dragons nose if they begin to attack.
They can't see well, so they use their nose to hunt.

The gang at the top of the hill on Rinca

baby komodo!!!

From here we traveled back to Labuan Bajo to stay at the hilltop hotel.

Cool facts
Komodos lay about 30 eggs, but depending on the temperature only about 3 survive.
The temperature also determines the sex. Warm weather means more males.
The mother wants to eat her own babies. Therefore komodos live in trees until they are about 3.
They start out the size of a large gecko and grow to about 2-3 meters depending on sex and age.
They can swim 50-100 meters in the water.
They hunt their prey, bite them and let their poison slowly work to make the prey easier to catch about 3 days later.

I'd say the dragons were cool, but for sure the best part was the view of the stars from the boat. There were so many, and it was so bright.

This. Is. My. Life.

I sit in Wisconsin, 12 hours before my 25 hour journey to Indonesia begins, reviewing the last year of my life, and contemplating the adjustments the next year will contain. 12 hours away and it still doesn't seem real. I'm forgetting something, surely (everyone drink.)

I go over my first few weeks in the last country (Albania) and wonder how this will compare:

Will I be able to get to a store in the first week to get the essentials I need?
      Why wouldn't I?
When will I get to do laundry again?
      It can't be as bad as the debacle in Albania. 3 weeks without a washer...
Will I catch onto the language?
      As long as I work at it and don't give up.
Will I make friends?
      Duh! The real question is will they be as awesome as the last group?
How long will it take to get internet working?
     It's fine. I'm taking the best book in the world with me, and living across from the school.
What will I miss?
     Lots, but that is part of this grand adventure I'm on

As I rocked my 15 month year old nephew to sleep tonight I thought to myself, "This is it. The last time you will ever do this." I cried. Then I was fine. Who am I, and how did I get here? 2 weeks ago I didn't want to leave, and now I can't wait to just get there and begin the next chapter of my life.

I gulp the last sip of my last IPA. This means it is time for bed, but my mind is finally working, realizing the adventures are just around the corner. The adrenaline flows. This. Is. My. Life.