FEATURE | ISLAND TOURISM | SOUTHEAST ASIA
KOMODO NATIONAL PARK
Pink Beach Padar Island
BELOW A Komodo dragon stands on its hind legs
VISIT THE KOMODO DRAGONS
Of course , no trip to Komodo National Park is complete without a meeting with the famed lizards . Found mainly on Rinca and Komodo Islands , the Komodo dragon is the biggest extant species of lizard , with the largest around three metres in length and weighing around 70 kilograms . It is related to the nowextinct Megalania , which inhabited Australia 50,000 years ago and may have been twice the size of the largest Komodo dragons . For anyone looking to snap a photo with the Komodo dragons , it is important to note that they are aggressive creatures and should be approached with caution . Despite evidence to suggest the animals have a mildly venomous bite , shock and blood loss are the more significant effects of being bitten .
PADAR ISLAND
Located within the national park , Padar Island is a small but surreal island . Mostly savannah-covered , Padar Island used to be home to Komodo dragons but is now a famous hiking spot thanks to its numerous green-capped mountains . A hike to the summit of this island will give you the best views of the entire national park . What is also fascinating is that the island is surrounded by three different bays each of which has its own different colour of sand . Standing on the summit you are able to see one that is pearly white , another charcoal black and the last one , a baby pink . Though the hike up Padar Island is not long nor is it steep , it can be rocky , so it is important to take care when making your way to the summit .
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