Club Med Bintan Island

Hi there!

I have a question to everyone who has ever been to CM Ria Bintan. On one of other forums I found a post concerning Bintan. A man/a woman was describing his/her stay in the club and mentioned that one day a Komodo dragon was found at the porch of his/her room. OK, I really like animals and I don't mind monkeys or wasps or even small lizards in the club so much. But with the Komodo dragon it's a completely different story!

So, my question is: does it happen often that a Komodo dragon can be seen in the club? I just prefer not to imagine it taking a walk around the pool.

Waiting for some answers (hopefully including denials).

magic

The quick answer is no way. I haven't been to Bintan, but there are no Komodo Dragons on that island. You do find them in the lesser Sunda islands of Indonesia. Bali is part of the lesser Sunda islands, but there aren't any Komodo Dragons on that island. I've been to Bali. However, they are on islands about two islands away from Bali. The main islands they inhabit are Rinca, Komodo, and Flores. The total range of the dragons is less than 1,000 square kilometers. Also, the average size of a Komodo Dragon is 2.5 meters. I doubt if the person saw anything that size on their deck.

There easily could be iguanas on the island, but I've seen hundreds of iguanas and they don't bother anybody. Actually, iguanas are kind of cute in an ugly sort of way.
Don't worry, no Komodos there.

John

Perhaps a rather large lizard was prompted onto the porch to keep a crabby GM in their room?! More likely it just found a warm, sunny, quiet spot to sleep. I'd look for the CM wristband. It could be the club's mascot!

OK, your answers made me feel much more calm. To be honest, I was already considering calling off my upcoming stay in CM Bintan. It was hard for me to belive however that such a creature could be a member of club med's clientele. Especially while it's a family village and there are children playing everywhere. If it's an iguana, then I don't mind it at all. I used to welcom iguanas at my balcony in Cancun in the past and it wasn't that scary. Anyway, no worries then.

Thanks again,
magic

We have just come back from Club Med Bintan. Yes they do have Komodos there. I saw one. It was in the garden near The Terrace restaurent (the one over looking the beach). It was just keeping to itself. Later one tht day it it scare the crap at me when it ran in front of my Pram carrying my daughter. They like to keep to themselves. That was a large adult one and on our last day there we saw a baby one, walking amongst the gardens. That was all we saw during out 4 day stay.

They dont like to be around people so you should have a problem.

Actually, i am not sure if it is really a komodo dragon or just another species of a large monitor lizard - common in this part of the world.

Hey, it's just another big reptile like Larry the Lounge Lizard !

Aita Pea Pea

Vinz, you are right. There are NO Komodo dragons on Bintan. There may be large lizard, but no Komodos. If someone could publish a photo here, I'm sure we could identify it. If it is a Komodo, at 2.5 meters or 8 feet you may need a wide angle lens.

I understand that the species, Larry Lounge Lizard has been spotted in large numbers at Turkoise, however.

John

John

The photos of the Komodo is on our laptop will get it off asap. They do have signs all over the island regarding Komodo Dragons...

The one we saw was prolly 2m long if not longer..

This was written in a blog about Bintan. I have posted a photo that was attached to this article. Check it under Bintan pics or lastest pics. Did your lizard look like this? They can get two meters long.

John

Not to be afraid about, just for information-We came across this iguana or the monitor lizard while relaxing by the swimming pool. My friend told me that this lizard has been sitting there for more then 30 mts without any movement. The resort employees told us that they are harmless and never attack/bite humans.

Oh great! Now you all made me feel a little bit afraid about going to Bintan. And I'm supposed to leave in 2 days...! I heard that there had been some incidents of Komodo dragons attacing people but it didn't concern Club Med or Bintan but the island that they normally live at.

Anyway, thanks for your all your answers. Can't say I feel calm now though.

magic,
I have been doing my best to show everyone that there are NO komodo dragons on Bintan. Go and have a good time, but make sure to report back. That is one club that I haven't been to, so I am interested in what it is like.

John

Here are the pics i was talking about.

According to the GO's there, it was a small one.. But normally they dont like coming into the village as they arn't a fan of people.

I wouldnt worry about them.. we were there 4 days and only saw this one on our first day.

I can see where that would shake you up. It is a monitor lizard-a vegetarian, but it is related to the komodo. We used to see lizards like this at Cherating. One was always around the archery area. They look slow, but when they want to move, they are very fast. You are right, they are not interested in people, and try to avoid us.

John