How do you describe the colours and patterns of tropical fish?
I had one day of glorious snorkeling experience in ideal conditions on Kanawa Island yesterday. Returning to the shady tree on the beach for a brief siesta in between forays, I attempted to explain to Madame H the colours below the water in this little stretch of paradise in the Komodo archipelago.
But let me back track a bit. Madame H does not really enjoy water activities and it was enough to get her onto the funky wooden boat that took us out from the harbour at Labuan Bajo. The sea was deep blue and calm. We pass a few magical pirate vessels in the harbour and later a group of islands, arriving at Kanawa after an hour or so. Madame H found a shady tree, a log of wood and stretched out her sarong, determined to finish the book about the whingeing widow.
Mr Tranquillo and I donned our masks and snorkels, and headed off into the crystal aqua waters off the beach. The coral is protected at Kanawa and provides immediate rewards for those who venture in. Schools of tiny blue and purple fish swarm over a small hill of coral, Angel fish glide by, a giant clam closes its blue and purple lips, Nimos play shyly as Mr T tries to coax them out from hiding. A pale pink fish with green stripes decides that I am the funniest thing he has ever seen: refusing to move, he continues to stare into mask. Black fish with white spotted tails, orange ones with beige/black designer stripes glide by in pairs, like Japanese origami. Schools of baby blue float about like confetti, a lone barracouta glides by, all pointy nosed and silvery.
I try to explain all this to the Madame reader. The words fail. I think about iridescence, or translucency. Purple and blue and orange. No, these colours are not right.
You just have to be there, under the sea in a far away place, with the heavenly fish off Labuan Bajo.
ALMOST ITALIAN 
It’d be enough to coax me away from the book, even the shady tree! Glad you’re having such a heavenly time 🙂
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I was so excited aboy those fish, I pressed the post button in error and have had to do a few edits afterwards. Has this happened to you in your wanders? I never seem to trust the technology here and end up rushing things. It is fixed now, with a map, and another photo!
Yes, heavenly is the word.
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Laughs – yes, a couple of times! I’ll go back for the photo and map 🙂 I’m impressed you’ve got a connection – it looks almost, blissfully, deserted. Were you aware of the election going on yesterday?
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We knew it was on, but didn’t notice any unusual behaviour- we were out on the island for most of the day. But a group of ‘officilas’ and army came to dine in our restaurant. Things were calm here- Labuan Bajo is a quiet spot so no banners, loudspeakers, or drive bys which I was expecting.
The results will all boil down to Java!
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Yes, I’m afraid so. Interesting how little hubbub you noticed … Go back to your lotus eating 🙂
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Wow, like a dream. In my wildest dreams I am there, but I have to say the Komodo name scares me!
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I am not keen on those big Lizards either. They hang out on Rinca island and Komodo- the other 13,000 islands here are lizard free. LOL.
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Sounds heavenly and your photos – I am there!
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It sounds like you’re on a never ending holiday-well done! 😀
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I’m near the end- one week left. Waaah.
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This sounds amazing ~ you beat me there! Enjoy!!
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Its waiting for you Rachael. xx
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Snorkelling in rich tropical water is always on the top of my bucket list, no matter how many times I cross it off. Your day sounds idyllic, I’m jealous. After kid wrangling for 2 weeks, I need a tropical island!
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Stunning colours above water, too. And, what a beautiful location for a siesta and a good read of a book. Sounds like you are having a wonderful, idyllic time in Flores.
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I think I’m stalking you – I was looking at the Komodo islands for Chinese New Year next year. Beautiful photos x
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there are some wondeful resorts on the Komodo islands- some cheap, others a lot more. They are idyllic. Labuan Bajo is an interesting port town with some really excellent italian restaurants. I’ll write this up soon. We stayed in Bayview gardens in Labuan Bajo- high balconies overlooking the harbour, great sunsets. ( only down side was a rather noisy Iman). Stalk away- this is why we all blog!
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What a touch of paradise. There’s no way I could sit on the beach reading a book when there’s that beautiful ocean with all the coral and sea-life to experience. Read your book on the plane! You describe the snorkelling experience beautifully xx
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Sounds like heaven and Id love to go
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