Into the DRAGON'S LAIR

You'll discover wildlife and wonder on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through Komodo National Park in Indonesia

-  Leyla Rose

Easing back in my deck chair, I take in the view of green hills curving down to meet the empty, white-sand beaches below. I'm sailing on Ombak Putih, a traditional Indonesian pinisi ship, run by cruise company SeaTrek. These wooden sailing vessels, distinguished by their two-mast shape, were once used by Indonesian seafarers for trade around the world.

This will be my home for the next nine days, as we set sail from the island of Flores, the gateway to Komodo National Park. Located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, the park is named after its famous Komodo dragons, the largest living lizard species in the world. As well as being the only place you can see them in the wild, the park is known for its jaw-dropping natural landscapes of dramatic coastline and savanna-cloaked hills. We'll sail through the park, heading west to the largely unexplored island of Sumbawa, stopping at a few quiet spots on the way before heading back to Flores.

Wildlife wonders