#pygmy treasure dragon

[leafnighthybridwolfsbane]

Seawing Headcanons

(Info below the cut)

With seawings, I think they're going to be one of my favorite tribes for patterning. This one specifically is based on a koi fish. I did forget to do one thing that I have in my personal headcanons. Experimenting with new way of doing the eye when simplifying it on the bust. Also, accidentally merged a couple layers when the patterning was on a separate clipping mask.

Tribe Headcanons

Seawings have additional feelers to find food such as clams. The deeper one hatches, the more they have.

All the feelers have glowing patches that are similar to an angler fish.

The edge of the chest ruff is fade tinted the color of the gills.

Their gills pop out when courting another dragon. These colors very depending on the area the egg has been laid at and took to hatch. Meaning there is a wide variety of colors they can be.

The bulbs along the chest and spine also glow.

Seawings have big feet to aid in swimming.

Their wings are counter shaded, so the bottom color is the lightest while the top color is the darkest on their bodies.

The glowing patterns on their wings batches their glow scales normally, being rare when they match more with the gill colors

Seawings are the second smallest tribe normally.

This can change depending on the depths the eggs have been laid at. In tide pools or similar shallow areas, they will tend to almost be the size of runts or pygmies. If they're laid in deeper depths than most, like near under water volcano depths, they tend to get very big.

These Seawings tend to have their own health issues when hatched and aren't recommended.

Tide pool Seawings tend to have harder than diamond scales, making it hard to move a lot. They are considered what we humans call "Pug-like". It is easier for them to gain a version of Münchmeyer disease due to the hardness of their outer scales. Though they have been getting better in more recent histories.

Tide pools are typically derogatorily called "Sunfish" or "Blob fish" due too their health issues, though thankfully it has ceased a bit in recent decades. It's not a lot better though

Deep depth Seawings tend to be almost the exact opposite issue. Their bones and scales are softer than diamonds and they cannot surface as they are a purely aquatic species.

Deep depths tend to be a bit more fire resistant due to being closer to the underwater volcanoes.

Patterning of different sea creatures isn't unheard of, just not as common.

Their glow scales and can camouflage slightly like an octopus to keep themselves from being found. Normally the color will match the surrounding scales and patterns.

Seawings take great pride in their flashy scales, staying near water to make sure they look like a piece of sunken treasure.

Lore Headcanons

Seawings are experts at writing stories. They do not often tend to write histories, sometimes exaggerating them slightly to make them a bit more suited for a story to write.

They have had several heated arguments with the rainwings that they're better artists. It was consecutively agreed that seawings were better writers while rainwings are better artists. Seawings don't go into tangents with flowery, emotional, descriptions that pause the entire plot to get into.

Seawings still have issues with the ethics of having their eggs in tide pools and deep depths due to the issues it may cause to those variants of those hatched from those circumstances. Both variants were once used for past wars, and even one civil war.

Other exports include pearls, sea treasures, and fish.

Their best alliance is with the mudwings as they have quite a bit in common when it comes to what they can do. It's believed that they are distant relatives when it comes to evolution.

Their funerary rites include placing two large pearls in their snout underneath the tongue, wrapping the snout in linens that matched their gill and glow scale colors. Once this is done, they are buried halfway into the sand so their bodies can become ecosystems for the creatures that share the same ocean.

Their afterlife is similar to to the river styx, though it is a forest-like place where their guide will ask for the pearls as payment so they can swim in the oceans of the afterlife. The linens are used as a make-shift pouch.

Seawings see an apology as a way to explain why they did the action. Their apologies are giving reasons for their actions. Just saying something like "I'm sorry" or "I apologize" without reason is considered disrespectful and the quickest way for them to take it as a sign for the other dragon to fight for repentance. This makes them the tribe that is quickest to anger.

Drawing Inspirations

Their bodies are similar to a Persian cat.

Marine animals are a great source of coloration and patterns.

Pugs are a great reference for the way a tide pool seawing looks like.

Whales and sharks bodies are best for references for the deep depths seawings, though their feelers are better to be referenced from octopi.

Wing of Fire Headcanon List

Sandwings

Skywings

Icewings

Mudwings

Leafwings

Hivewings

Silkwings

[void-ink-studios]

Day 2: Curious

My distaste for keeping dragons as pets are well documented. Dragons are wild, magical creatures that are often far too powerful to really tame or control, especially not in the way you would a hound or even a horse. But, today I encountered the most unlikely of duos. I met a treasure hunter, some type of mage, and his familiar. A Pygmy Cockatrice. They sit on the more intelligent end of the spectrum for dragons, with a natural instinct to investigate whatever they think might serve as tools, food, or a hiding spot. This particular treasure hunter seems to have befriended it, with it serving as a scout and familiar in exchange for protection and easy food. So while I still do not agree with the notion of Pet Dragons, I do see the merit partnerships. Mutual cooperation. A friendship.

[Prompt List]

[Previous] - Day 1: Nourish

[Next] - Day 3: Jewel

[marinerainbow]

//Okay so now I'm imagining for the Dragon AU Katherine starting out as this scullery maid for the dragons, cleaning in the kitchens to earn her freedom and in no way plotting her next escape (she tried the old tie the bedsheets down the tower routine. Psycho Demento caught her.) She serves them whatever entrails they've managed to catch while flying so she can make a serviceable meal for them. Smartaz is picky but the rest of them wolf down so much human food it's hard to really get half the preparation in. They'll eat raw chicken eggs and still flailing fish and giabt insects, horse meat and venison with its skin still on. Every so often they'll chomp into apples and leave nothing not even the pips.

Then when Katherine becomes a hunter gatherer for them and tries to shoot down easy prey or find wild, non poisonous berries and mushrooms or trade a butcher in the next village for his best cut of mutton, they start to respect her skills more. Hvæsa offers his back as a carriage since her human legs struggle to keep up with them. She'll get in the way of raids when she sees there are mothers with children in the vicinity and will sometimes sneak into houses to warn families that she saw dragons heading their way and give them time to evacuate. Other times she will escape into the forest until they've finished looting.

One day she saves Smartaz from being downed and slain by another hunter by pushing into him so he loses control of his crossbow. He rages at her and she rages with her and she fights him off as much as she can but he slaps her face so hard it reddens. Preparing to do more damage with a weapon he spies Unctuo and decides his glistening hide will make a perfect sell on the black market. Kitty without much strength to get up tries crawling after him but she hears the hunter's yelps. As if he's been tripped. Demento has camouflaged and used his tail as a tree root and is now cackling manically. The hunter being ambushed by the dragons who land in a circle around him, draws his weapon while Smartaz draws the sarcasm. They demand he hand over whatever he has or they'll burn him to a crisp. He starts some grand speech about how he's the greatest dragon hunter in the land and he's been hired as mercenary to bring their heads to the queen of a neighbouring kingdom. Kitty weakly throws rocks at his feet from under a stone underpass and he discovers her and drags her out. When Smartaz angrily tells him to let go of their slave he threatens to slit her throat unless they give themselves up to him. Smartaz thinks for a moment, then tells Unctuo to cut the sack loose and empty the loot. He's about to protest but does so anyway. Smartaz says they can have this bag in return for their servant. The hunter ponders over the treasure then laughs.

"This is a measly offer, for a meowle who cost me the pink coat of a pygmy dragon."

Smartaz stops. What is he talking about? He looks over Kitty, red in the face, barely standing, he looks to the hunter's bow.

"Boys...sick 'im."

At once the dragons are upon him. Firey breath is unleashed and in his place lies two smoking shoes. Demento encourages Kitty to pick them up. Smartaz announces they're going home to eat and Kitty doesn't say a word on the way back to the castle.

She weakly prepares a bird or two they caught and carries it into the great hall. She's about to ascend the staircase when Smartaz pipes up "Where do ya think ya goin'? Yer eatin' with us!"

Kitty looks to a spare chair. She sits down, in between Hvæsa and Jobbernowl...and devours the cooked fowl.

I felt like I was about to reach through the screen and destroy this hunter myself for hurting Katherine. But the dragon mafia took care of that for me 😌 though she definitely could use some comfort now. Someone get this girl a book and some warm tea! (Fleurs on it)

I love all of this!!! Gooooooddd I just want to write it out. Really. Demento can camouflage?? (I never thought of that for Dragon Psycho, but it's so perfect!) Kitty doing her best to save her acquaintances, the dragons getting protective of her abd starting to treat her better!!! This is such a slow-burn wholesome story that I wish I could see animated ^^

Imagine that after the fall of The Dark One, Katherine will still visit her new Dragon friends! Or they pick her up. That'd probably be easier. They go on hunting trips, share the spoils, catch up with each other, etc. She's not expected to prepare the food anymore, but she still does; she doesn't want to eat raw food herself 😆 but it's also for them too. She also tells them where they can or can't raide, and they will listen because they are all friends now! (At least take it into consideration??? Come on boys.)

[broadthing]

Top 10 Dense Forests of the World

Earth’s dense forests are enchanting, mysterious, and crucial to the survival of our planet. These lush green sanctuaries cover vast expanses, harboring an incredible variety of flora and fauna, purifying the air, and regulating our climate. This article takes you on a journey to explore some of the world’s most breathtaking and ecologically vital dense forests.

1. Amazon Rainforest – South America

The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the “Lungs of the Earth,” is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Stretching across nine South American countries, it spans approximately 6.7 million square kilometers. Home to a mind-boggling diversity of life, the Amazon is teeming with jaguars, macaws, and countless plant species yet to be discovered. Unfortunately, it faces threats like deforestation and habitat loss, making conservation efforts critical.

2. Congo Basin – Africa

The Congo Basin, located in Central Africa, is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, after the Amazon. This pristine wilderness sprawls across several countries and is home to endangered species like forest elephants, lowland gorillas, and bonobos. The basin plays a vital role in carbon storage and climate regulation, making it a global treasure that requires protection from deforestation and logging.

3. Borneo Rainforest – Southeast Asia

Borneo, the third-largest island in the world, is renowned for its lush rainforests. These forests shelter iconic species like the orangutan and pygmy elephant. However, they are increasingly threatened by deforestation for palm oil and timber. Conservation initiatives aim to protect this biological hotspot.

4. Daintree Rainforest – Australia

The Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia, is a primeval world of ferns, ancient trees, and unique wildlife. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and harbors species found nowhere else on Earth, like the cassowary and Boyd’s forest dragon. Conservation efforts have been successful in safeguarding this remarkable ecosystem.

5. Tongass National Forest – United States

In North America, the Tongass National Forest in Alaska stands as the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Its misty, evergreen expanse is home to wolves, bears, and bald eagles. Although facing pressure from logging and resource extraction, it continues to be a focus for environmental preservation.

6. The Black Forest – Germany

The Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, in Germany, is a storied woodland famous for its dense, dark canopies, which inspired countless myths and fairy tales. This forest offers a unique blend of culture and nature. Tourists visit not only for the stunning landscapes but also for the charming villages that dot its expanse.

7. Val Grande National Park – Italy

Val Grande National Park is Italy’s wildest and least accessible protected area. Located in the Italian Alps, it is characterized by steep terrain, rugged cliffs, and dense woodlands. This park is ideal for adventurers seeking solitude, challenging hikes, and stunning alpine scenery.

8. Taman Negara – Malaysia

Taman Negara, Malaysia’s premier national park, is one of the world’s oldest rainforests. It boasts unique flora and fauna and offers an array of adventures like jungle trekking, canopy walks, and river cruises. The park is home to elusive wildlife such as tigers, leopards, and Asian elephants.

9. Tumuc-Humac Mountains – French Guiana

Tumuc-Humac Mountains in French Guiana are part of the Guiana Shield, one of the world’s last untouched wildernesses. This region is teeming with pristine rainforests and unique ecosystems. It offers a glimpse into the untouched wilderness of South America.

10. Tesso Nilo National Park – Indonesia

Tesso Nilo National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is a critical refuge for the critically endangered Sumatran elephant and tiger. Illegal logging and habitat destruction pose significant challenges to this park, making conservation efforts crucial for preserving its remarkable biodiversity.

Exploring these dense forests, whether in person or through the lens of documentaries and photographs, is an opportunity to connect with the wonders of our natural world. They remind us of the beauty, diversity, and fragility of the ecosystems that enrich our lives and inspire us to become better stewards of our planet.

[reallypheelingit]

Poppet for @staticstray !! small gremlin treasure dragon..i love them

[nightcoremoon]

illusory walls hide:

a bonfire by a door sealed by artorias' crest

the daughter of chaos and servant eingyi

the great hollow and subsequently ash lake

a titanite chunk and darkwraith in new londo

a bonfire in the catacombs

a ladder to the giant who opens sen's fortress

gwyndolin and the darkmoon covenant

an underground cave system in ariamis

havel's stuff & a mimic with an occult weapon

a bonfire in lost izalith near the bed of chaos

the pit in the tomb of giants with a skull lantern

a silver pendant that deflects dark magic

the path to saving sif from the abyss

...

and what does that mean?

okay, so. artorias and sif went to stop manus from spreading the abyss, armed with anor londo's ancient treasure the silver pendant, presumably given to him by either gwynevere, gwyndolin, or fillianore (it couldn't have been gwyn, he'd been in the kiln for 700+ years; it maybe could have been the nameless king?). manus kicked their asses. the pendant ended up hidden behind an illusory wall; granted it's one based on light, so it has to be accessed either with the skull lantern (hidden behind a real illusory wall or dropped from a catacomb necromancer), the sunlight maggot (hidden behind a door accessible via chaos covenant hidden behind a real illusory wall), or bought from princess dusk. manus kidnapped dusk, leaving two items accessible only though an actual illusory wall or three bosses / gravity. basically this implies that illusory walls are a tool used by manus to protect himself. after all, this works when you consider that illusory walls stand between you and alvina who takes you to ANOTHER illusory wall (and a bonfire shortcut!) which hides sif, who is summonable for manus.

illusory walls seem to protect the abyss. and if you consider that they hide things that make it easier to challenge sif, obtain the covenant of artorias, either overpower the keepers of the new londo seal or gain the lord vessel (which lends credence to gwyndolin being the one who gave artorias the silver pendant, oh look gwyndolin is hidden behind an illusory wall that can be broken by getting the darkmoon seance ring which is conveniently located right next to the necromancer who drops the skull lantern wow holy shit), and fight & kill the four kings. who, mind you, are as necessary to unlock the door to the kiln of the first flame and relink the fire as the bed of chaos (who is nearby to the sunlight maggot), nito (who is nearby to the skull lanterns), and seath (whose archives house the broken pendant which is directly connected to oolacile).

illusory walls protect the abyss, and actively seek to prevent the linking of the fire. w o w. they also protect (or do they hide) chaos fire (daughter of chaos), the operator of sen's gate, havel's equipment and a god-killing weapon, and the last of the dragons twice (ash lake).

the abyss, chaos fire, dragons, the occult, enslaved giants, all things that are explicitly negative and told to the player are bad and shouldn't be fucked with... and also... havel.

these things are all connected somehow

...

or maybe the developers just needed random shit to hide behind invisible walls. I mean come on just look at the all important titanite chunk.

I think it's just random bullshit but hey it would be super cool to consider that maybe what if the abyss, chaos, dragons, the occult, giants, and havel the rock (who hated seath & magic) were the good guys, and linking the fire thus prolonging the age of fire and the reign of the gods who were clearly corrupt and hated the undead and were actually evil as shit and the ones controlling the narrative like puppeteers?

...HEY, WAIT A SECOND

anyway seath and all sorcery are inherently evil, the gods are all bastards, gwyndolin protects a lie, dark is just pure humanity, & gwyn is a cunt. fuck sunlight and magic! up with dark and fire! the furtive pygmy and dragons deserve better! thanks for coming to my tedtalk.

[m4g0rtz]

2019 Accomplishments

I was tagged by @julcheninred to share my accomplishments from 2019. Thanks Jules! 😘❤️🦖

In 2019, I started making fanart after having not made any art in almost a decade. I am so proud of the things I've made and the amazing people I've been able to work with and meet irl!!! *flails in the direction of @bixgirl1 and @julcheninred*

The prints I made this year are:

Frank from The Claiming of Grimmauld Place by @bixgirl1

The Day Draco was Saved based on this drawing by @upthehillart

Cotton

The Teal Suit with @pygmy-puffy from dirtynumbangelboy by @magpiefngrl

To make it even better, I sent copies of my prints to England, Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and in the US to Washington state, California, Oklahoma, Texas, Michigan, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. If I sent you one of my prints I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you. I sent every single one with the biggest smile on my face. 😁❤️

I participated in my first fest!!!! For collab fest I made:

Have You Ever Cut A Man's Hair? with @julcheninred

The paper doll posts from this year include:

Redwood Forest with Magic Cat

Harry takes Draco on a muggle ski holiday

Harry and Draco in NYC

Drarry in Hawaii

I also did some pieces for Inktober. Considering how little I knew about making digital art, these pieces were huge accomplishments for me:

Tasty

Ghost

Injured

Ancient

Dragon

Treasure

Other digital work

Frogs on a Nimbus

Mountain lion patronus

I also made some silly doodles along the way including a hedgehog wizard and an illustration of one of the most surreal moments I've ever experienced at work. I can't make myself link to those here though so you'll have to search my blog for them yourself if you're curious. 😂

Although it's not art related, I have to mention here too that I started beta-ing this year and I love doing it so much. I got to work with @bixgirl1 , @tepre, @l0vegl0wsinthedark, @diligent-thunder, and @nofeartina . Beta-ing for them was without question a highlight from this year. ❤️

I want to do more collabs in 2020. Especially collabs based on fic. And I want to take pygmy-puffy's paper dolls to more awesome places. And I want to get better at making digital art. And I want to meet more fandom friends irl. You all are the best. Here's to an amazing year ahead. I am so lucky and grateful to be here with you all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[nonbinary-octopus]

I have come for dragons! So, you mentioned Logan is the human with dragon Patton and Virgil, right? (Can't find the post to check, whoops) Can I ask what the situation is between humans and dragons in your AU? Like are they close or antagonistic? And are Logan and his dragons helping each other out, or is it a (found) family situation, or maybe forced cooperation? What are Pat and Virge hoarding? No need to spoil anything you don't wanna spoil btw!

He is indeed!

This all happens to be set in one of the versions of my fantasy universe, Faedell, btw, so you can also browse that tag for some general lore if you want, though not all of it is up-to-date with the current version in my head.

So, the relationship between humans and dragons is kinda complicated. They're not really that antagonistic, but they also tend to not interact a whole lot. The one place where they do traditionally interact a lot is in the dragon/princess dynamic. There are two forms this usually takes place, though of course there are blurry lines:

1. Princess in a dragon-guarded tower. For whichever reason, there's a princess in a tower, and whoever put here there purposely got a dragon to guard her. The dragon's duties are primarily to make sure the princess doesn't leave/get taken away until a specific time and person comes. Also hunting for her meat, sometimes. Depends on the dynamic and who else is involved.

2. Captive Princess. This is rather less arranged, and involves a dragon carrying off a princess, who then lives with the dragon and does stuff like cook, clean, organize treasure, etc. Being a dragon's princess is actually considered fairly respectable, too. And there's a whole magical contract between the dragon and the princess, where the dragon promises to provide for and protect the princess, and the princess promises to do the princess duties. Usually this contract is ended by a knight or prince coming and fighting the dragon. Sometimes to the death, sometimes not.

(Also, worth noting, dragons use the term "princess" in the generic to refer to the human in either of these arrangements, and usually they are in fact princesses, but sometimes you will hear of a princess who is actually a prince, or even (more rarely) a commoner of any gender.)

The second scenario is what Logan, Virgil, and Patton are in. Logan is the youngest of several princes and princesses, and the two dragons snatched him up one day and carried him off to their shared cave system. He willingly entered the contract, and is happily living as a Dragons' Prince, organizing their hoards.

He also helped them come up with a system to share him, because it's very unusual for two dragons to have one princess. But Virgil and Patton had to work together to carry him off, because they are both pygmy dragons, and too small to do it alone. So they have to share him. (most pygmy dragons do not have princesses for this reason.)

I dunno yet if there's anything special about their hoards, or if it's just the standard 'gold and gems' sort of thing. Maybe they have other pretty rocks.

Also, they might be a bit upset to hear you call them "Logan's dragons." They're not Logan's dragons, he's their prince!

[ayearinfaith]

𝗔 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟱𝟯: 𝗗𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗳

Dwarves are a race of supernatural people from Germanic mythology. Dwarves are better attested than other aspects of Germanic mythology (like Elves) and appear to have maintained an evolving but unbroken thread from paganism through Christianity. Like other Germanic creatures, they enjoy a modern resurgence in popularity thanks largely to the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗗𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗳

There are almost no explicit descriptions of Dwarves in the Eddas, the 13th century Icelandic texts that are the primary source of knowledge of Old Norse Religion. However, we do know that Anglo-Saxons around the start of the 2nd Millennium used the word as a translation for the Greek Pygmies (mythical short people from a quasi-mythical southern continent) and High German tales from the same period explicitly describe them as short, bearded, and supernaturally strong. Other still common Dwarvish traits, such as living underground, being talented smiths, and greed, are traceable via the Eddas to pre-Christian traditions. Eddic Dwarves come from Nidavellir (lit. “dark/lower fields”) or Myrkheim (“dark home”), they are responsible for creating treasures, such as the thunder god Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and Gleipnir, the chains that bind the monstrous wolf, Fenrir, and kill gods and giants alike in the name of riches (see Fjalar and Galar below). As mentioned above, the modern Dwarves of high fantasy largely come from the tropes established by J.R.R. Tolkien in his books 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵 (1937) and the 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 trilogy (1954). These tropes are for the most part the same as the pagan and medieval traditions, though somewhat more embellished to give the Dwarves a full history as a race as opposed to a kind of naturally occurring spirit. The names of the Dwarves in the Hobbit are lifted directly from a list of Dwarf names found in the Eddas. One of the most distinctive features of Tolkien’s invention was the antagonistic relation between Dwarves and Elves; the former being gruff, practical, and low prestige, and the latter being elegant, aristocratic, and renowned. An interesting distinction between the modern Dwarf and Tolkien’s is language: most Dwarves in modern media have Scottish or otherwise Celtic accents, but Tolkien imagined his Dwarves to speak with Middle Eastern accents, as their native tongue, Khuzdul, was based on Hebrew and other Semitic languages. Tolkien actually wove many features of European Jewry into his Dwarves: a misunderstood diaspora people with a distinct secretive culture. The Celtic-ness of Dwarves is generally attributed to 𝘋𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘯𝘴, as its creator, Gary Gygax, was fan of the 1953 fantasy book 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, which featured an explicitly Scottish Dwarf. This theme probably piggy backed on the Tolkien Dwarf-Elf contrast: Elves naturally were given the prestigious English Received Pronunciation so the contrary Dwarves must have the working-class and anti-establishment accents of North England and Scotland.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀

𝗖𝗼𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝘄𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀

In the Eddas Dwarves are born from the corpse of the primordial Frost Giant, Ymir, who is killed by Odin and whose body parts are used to create the earth. Dwarves are said to be born either from Ymir’s blood or from maggots in his flesh. When fashioning the dome of the sky from Ymir’s skull, Odin appoints four Dwarves to hold it up: Northri, Suthri, Austri, and Westri, whose names are simply the four cardinal directions.

𝗙𝗷𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿

Fjalar and Galar appear on the Eddas as the creators of the Mead of Poetry. They do this by killing the god of wisdom, Kvasir, and brewing his blood. They use this magical mead to their own profit and for reasons not fully explained end up adding a giant and his wife to their body count. The giant couple’s son, Suttungr, learns of this misdead. He kidnaps Fjalar and Galar and ties them to a reef at low tide, waiting for high tide to come in and drown them. Fjalar and Galar are able to talk their way out of the predicament at the cost of the Mead of Poetry. It is later stolen from Suttungr by Odin.

𝗔𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘂𝗻𝗴𝘀

The German epic hero, Siegfried (Sigurd in Scandinavia) is known both from the classical 13th century epic the 𝘕𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘥 (song of the Nibelungs) and the 19th century operatic cycle by Richard Wagner; 𝘋𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘕𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘯 (The Ring of the Nibelung). Though versions vary, they get their name from a magical treasure kept guarded by the Nibelungs, who are sometimes humans but are also portrayed as Dwarves, ruled by king Alberich. Alberich becomes Oberon in French, from which Shakespeare got the name of the Fairy king in 𝘈 𝘔𝘪𝘥𝘴𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵’𝘴 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮.

𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗸𝗿, 𝗘𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗶, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗶

When the trickster god, Loki, cuts off the hair of Sif, Thor’s wife, he finds himself in the impossible situation of having to replace it, lest he face the thunder god’s wrath. Luckily for Loki, the Dwarves are capable of making almost any treasure and Loki hatches a plan not just to get Sif’s hair back, but also a fair amount of treasure and the favor of the other gods. Loki invents a competition, in which the Dwarves will compete with their crafts to impress the gods: 3 treasures each. One group Loki ensnares are known only as the Sons of Ivaldi. To these capable smiths Loki entrusts the creation of Sif’s new hair, a treasure he believes is sure to win. He also ropes in the brothers Brokkr and Eitri (also called Sindri). The brothers rightfully suspect Loki of mischief, and agree only on the terms they can have his head if they win. Loki, certain they won’t, agrees. Loki further ensures himself against decapitation by transforming into a fly and biting the brothers, but they prove quite steadfast. The next day the competition is held, with the gods Thor, Odin, and Frey as the judges. The Sons of Ivaldi present Skidbladnir, the fastest ship ever made which can be folded into ones pocket, Gungir, Odin’s spear which always hits its target, and, of course, new beautiful golden hair for Sif, which will grow like real hair. Brokkr and Eitri then present their treasures: Gullinbursti, the golden boar that will pulls Frey’s chariot, Draupnir, a golden armband that replicates itself eightfold every nine days, and Mjolnir, Thor’s fearsome hammer. Loki is horrified to find the gods are more impressed with Brokkr and Eitri’s gifts. Loki saves his head, claiming that he had not promised any of his neck, and the Dwarves could not remove one without damaging the other. Instead, Brokkr and Eitri sew Loki’s mouth shut.

𝗔𝗻𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶, 𝗢́𝘁𝗿, 𝗙𝗮𝗳𝗻𝗶𝗿, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻

These are also Dwarves from the Nibelung legends, though they are not generally of the Nibelung tribe. The tale begins with Andvari, who ends up getting caught by Loki while in the form of a fish. Andvari is forced to pay all his gold to Loki, including a magic ring, but not before cursing it all. Years later a similar blunder occurs, when Loki kills the Dwarf Ótr who had taken the form of an otter. Ótr’s father, king Hreidmar, demands recompense from Loki. Loki pays up using the cursed gold of Andvari. The curse of greed ends up driving one of Hreidmar’s other sons, Fafnir, mad. Fafnir kills his father, steals the gold, and turns into a dragon, blighting the land, to guard his treasure. The final son of Hreidmar, Regin, ends up as a kind of foster-father to the young Siegfried/Sigurd. Regin raises him to be a great warrior and forges the great sword Gram. When the time comes, Regin asks Siegfried to kill the dragon Fafnir. In the process, Siegfried tastes some of the dragon’s blood, gifting him to understand the language of the birds. The birds reveal that, tragically, Regin has long been afflicted by the cursed gold and is planning to kill Siegfried for it. Siegfried kills Regin first, ending this particular chapter.

Image Source: Cover art for 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴, Keith Parkinson, 1988, https://www.keithparkinson.com/

[vex-bittys]

You said that toys are good for all Lamias, but what kinds of toys? Specifically for Corals?

*I’ve actually answered this question here, but I can add on a few things to that post.

Papython (UT!Papyrus): prefers tangram and sudoku type puzzles where there are new solutions with each new puzzle, will play games like candy crush

Corny (UT!Sans): really just likes the astronomy-themed viewfinders and virtual reality space adventures, might play Fruit Ninja, is not a very good ninja due to loud snoring

Krait (Gaster): in addition to water toys, he also likes building toys like K’nex, especially the ones with motors and moving parts

Honey Bo (US!Papyrus): enjoys video games like Guitar Hero, anything that involves music

Pygmy (US!Sans): wants to chase, give him cat toys or use a laser pointer, you can also give him paper towel rolls and other “obstacles” to zoom through and around

King (UF!Papyrus): likes to read, enjoys text-based games, hunts toys that make noise when he catches them, such as squeakers, crinkles, or bells, remind him not to overpower his D&D characters

Coral (UF!Sans): loves puzzle boxes, and if you hide a treasure in it, once he finds the treasure, he will use the puzzle box to hide more treasures, also enjoys tactile toys

Chain (SF!Papyrus): likes to climb and hunt, will play outside to have more room, likes it if you hide shiny things for him to find, stuck in a tree

Mamba (SF!Sans): loves wind-up or motorized cat toys, will cosplay as a small dragon, please help him fly around the room (it makes him feel important)

[sweettist]

I’m in a long standing D&D 3.5 game (we just hit Game Session #150 this week).

I collect NPCs. I basically have an entourage following me around.

I, the Spellscale Rogue have:

A hatching faerie dragon (whom I call “my daughter”)

A goblin (whom my daughter calls “dad”)

A mimic (who was saved by the goblin and is now is his mount)

A magic bunny (the only non-intelligent being I have)

A vegipygmy (named Rojur)

And I’m trying to recruit an intelligent Giant Snake that enjoys counting and keeping track of treasure (cause I have a lot of treasure being the rogue thief I am)

And that’s only MY entourage.

The Barbarian Dwarf has:

A human foster daughter

A Magic Bee (that sounds like Marilyn Monroe. The DM has to sing a few lines from “Happy Birthday Mister President” to get the Bee’s voice down).

The Dragon Druid has:

A sand worm

A sand Pygmy

A sand Gollum

A lizard (named “Little Sweet” who is our tank and likes to steal)

The Blinkling Ranger has:

A dark mantle (he wears on his head, and it helps him fly).

That’s 12 NPCs that follow us around. (13 if I successfully recruit the Snake.)

Who is the DM going to kill first? Any guesses?

[modounbubble]

Artorias/Manus and 13, 18, 19, and 30?

I’m so ready for this *crack knuckles

13: Which one likes to surprise the other with a lot of small random gifts?

Artorias will be the one one to bring a lot of small precious things to Manus. A bouquet of those glowing flowers in Oolacile, a little crystal lizard, various trinkets he found in the abandoned households, Arty just want to encourage Manus to leave the dark basement, and have a little walk in the nature with him.

Or, in my University AU, Arty will purchases chocolate candy, cute toys and roses during Valentine’s Day; piles them all over Professor Manus’ office desk, along with an awkward love letter. Arty has no idea how dating works, the most he can do is to get tips from internet and Ornstein, and gives his best shot to woo Manus.

18: Who’s the first one to admit they have feelings for the other?

Artorias, but not like he speaks out for himself. It’s when the small pygmy Manus looks into his eyes and smiles, “You like me, don’t you?” Arty will be so fluster and beat around the bushes, before he finally admit it with a burning face.

When Manus recognizes Arty in the Abyss, and after some very long conversations, Arty finally whispers, “…I still like you…” If not Arty’s flushed cheeks, Manus will think he’s fantasizing things.

19: How good would your OTP be at parenting?

OH BOY. Manus used to carry Filianore, he knows what to do, but the baby will cry 24/7 because of Manus’ scary face. They probably won’t used to it until they are 2 to 3 years old, and Arty will take them out of the Abyss for some walks, and kindly ask Dusk and Elizabeth to teach them to read.

A child would bring back great nostalgia for Manus, he will treasure and protect them. To Arty, the child is the result of their love, he will love them as he loves Manus.

But ultimately, who the child be??? Nashandra? Alsanna? Any children of the dark? Can it be me

30: If your OTP went on vacation, where would they go and what would they do? Who would take the pictures?

If Artorias successfully convinces Manus to leave the basement, they perhaps will go to the Ash Lake. The place where they both lived and engaged in the great war with dragons, plus Manus will most likely pout and shake his head if Artorias suggests anywhere else. 

Maybe another trip to the Ring City as well? Again I never touched DS3 I don’t know what’s the relationship between the Ring City and Oolacile, y’all are more than welcome to pinch me if I’m wrong. They won’t do anything else but collecting their own little memories along the trip, along with many snuggles and kisses because they are happy that after such a long time, they ended up with each other.

No the camera was not invented and all the local painters have either died or hollowed so Arty might try his best to draw some stick figures to savor all the little moments.

[catalystic-dragons]

Quirk and Purble for today's Smaugust! I got Quirk from Skellertom, and Purble I picked up from Novakidding! I hadn't doodled them yet or finished their ref sheets, like a lot of my adopted babies - so I'm glad Smaugust is giving me drive to finish them get and them all posted :3 Hope y'all like 'em!

Purble is a trouble maker. She's a sly little thief, known for her nimble claws and feisty attitude. Don't come between her and any treasure or you'll certainly find yourself on the end of her temper - even if she is only around 3 feet tall! She's a fire breather, but instead of blasting a stream of fire or a fireball, she has a short, controlled torch she can use at close range. In combat, she prefers to use her claws and teeth to get the job done. This trickster thrives in bustling crowds and bust streets where she can dart in between the people, slashing their purses and picking their pockets to her heart's content. Quirk isn't the friendliest of dragons. He's a pygmy - bred largely for exotic pets in captivity - but his bad temper and loner attitude landed him in hot water with his owners. They abandoned him, much to his delight - and suddenly he was free... Only, it was a lot harder to survive than he anticipated. He found Purple, a thief with a taste for treasure, and became her body guard in exchange for a warm place to call home. Though he's not the largest dragon out there, his ability to spit venom makes him a pretty potent ally; able to take down brutes twice his size with just one spit. He lives with Purple in the slums of a run down village, mainly feeding on rats and anything else he can get his claws into. He may not be much of an adventurer like Purble, and their personalities clash a lot, but he does care about his 'friend'.

[meganews77-blog]

Amazing Ocean Animals Only Scuba Divers Can See

We scuba divers are a lucky bunch and we realize it every time we drop down onto a coral reef or step into the ocean, river or lake. Every single time we dive, we find hidden treasures and awesome surprises. If you don’t dive, here are 10 amazing ocean creatures you can see only after you get certified.

1. WHALE SHARK Divers spend their entire lives hoping to encounter a whale shark. They can book reliable snorkel-only encounters in places like Isla Contoy, Mexico, from June to September, where the sharks congregate in large numbers to feed on plentiful plankton, their favorite meal. But it’s an especially remarkable experience when it’s unexpected, and that can happen anywhere in the world.

2. VARIABLE NEON SLUG This colorful fella is a sea slug or nudibranch. This particular species can grow to 4 inches, which is daily large for a nudibranch (some are shorter than your pinky nail). They’re prized by underwater photographers because of their often extraordinary colors and striking forms. There are more than 2,000 valid species of nudibranchs in the world.

3. PSYCHEDELIC FROGFISH Frogfish or anglerfish are small, short and stocky, and sometimes covered in all manner of appendages to help them camouflage themselves. They often can look like lumps of sponge. But the wacky-looking psychedelic frogfish is found only in the waters around Ambon, Indonesia. It’s also one of the so-called walking fish, which it does by using its pectoral fins on the seafloor when it’s really moving, it can look a bit like a beach ball being pushed on the sand by wind.

4. PYGMY SEAHORSE Measuring less than 1 inch long, it lives exclusively on the fan coral it resembles so closely. This camouflage is so effective that this tiny creature was discovered accidentally in 1969 by a scientist who had collected samples of the gorgonian they were living on. We know very little about their population numbers, but we divers take great care when we encounter these shy beauties.

5. MANTA RAY Acrobatic and majestic, mantas are amazing to encounter, and are often found at feeding and cleaning stations. They are filter feeders and eat large quantities of plankton, which they swallow with their open mouths as they swim. Like some of their shark cousins, they are hunted for their gill rakers and are considered “Vulnerable with an elevated risk of extinction” by the International Union of Conservation.

6. REDSPOTTED BLENNY Many of these fish are just plain adorable, and some have fleshy filaments on their heads, which can make them look bit comical. There are more than 800 species of blennies in the ocean, and it takes a close, careful eye to find them. They like to hide in home burrows or crevices and are generally reclusive. Some are even found in bottles.

7. LEAFY SEADRAGON These popular members of the seahorse and pipefish family get their name for their resemblance to mythical dragons. They’re affectionately known as leafies. Divers head to Edithburgh and Rapid Jetty to find and photograph them.

8. CARIBBEAN REEF SHARK If we divers could convey one thing to nondivers it’s this sharks have way more to fear from us humans than we humans have to fear from them. Consider this more people are killed each year by falling vending machines than sharks. Champagne corks kill roughly two dozen people every year, far more than people killed by sharks (usually swimmers and surfers, not divers).

9. BANDED SEA KRAIT OK, we get it it’s a snake, and we know a lot of people are afraid of snakes and prefer that they never, ever encounter one, either on land or in the ocean. But these guys are truly fascinating they spend most of their time in the sea hunting, but come ashore to reproduce.

10. FLUORESCENT OCTOPUS For some people, the many-armed octopuses are the stuff of nightmares, but scuba divers high-five underwater when they spot them. They can often be found during night dives, when they’re usually more active. Underwater photographers use specialized gear and techniques that they use in fluorescent photography, as in the case with this octopus.

======================= animals in the ocean deep ocean creatures animals that live in the ocean pacific ocean animals deep ocean animals ocean animals list atlantic ocean animals deep sea creatures animals in the sea arctic ocean animals ocean animals pictures indian ocean animals deep sea animals ocean plants and animals =======================

#animals #seaanimals #oceananimals #oceanlife #oceancreatures #oceanhabitat #animalsintheocean #deepoceancreatures #animalsthatliveintheocean #pacificoceananimals #deepoceananimals #oceananimalslist #atlanticoceananimals #deepseacreatures #animalsinthesea #oceanmammals #arcticoceananimals #oceananimalspictures #indianoceananimals #deepseaanimals #oceanplantsandanimals #endangeredseacreatures #creaturesunderthesea

https://youtu.be/XWmiVGteB8o

[goldeagleprice]

Banknotes of Madagascar – Banknotes of the World – V

Welcome to yet another chapter of our series “Banknotes of the Countries from across the world”. Though banknotes by their very definition are a type of a negotiable promissory note, made by a bank, payable to the bearer on demand, they are artistic treasures in their own right. All the countries are no doubt proud of their history and heritage and proudly boast about them on their currency notes. Currency notes and their designs and reason behind their issuance are in itself a topic of great interest and study. Hence we will discuss various such interesting and unique banknotes of the world.

  In this part we are going to look at the banknotes of Madagascar. To read the previous parts of the “Banknote of the world” series, click here.

�� Madagascar is a huge island nation off the southeast coast of Africa. Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot; over 90% of its wildlife is found nowhere else on Earth. It is home to thousands of animal species, such as lemurs, plus rainforests, beaches and reefs. Near the busy capital, Antananarivo, is Ambohimanga, a hillside complex of royal palaces and burial grounds, as well as the “Avenue of the Baobabs,” a dirt road lined by massive centuries-old trees.

  The island’s diverse ecosystems and unique wildlife are threatened by the encroachment of the rapidly growing human population and other environmental threats. Ecotourism and agriculture are key elements of Madagascar’s development strategy and the country belongs to the group of least developed countries, according to the United Nations. The main economic resources of Madagascar are tourism, textile export, production and export agricultural and mining.

  Uptill January 1, 2005, the franc was the currency of Madagascar. It was subdivided into 100 centimes. In 1961, the Institut d’Emission Malgache (Malagasy Issuing Institute) introduced banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 francs.

  The Ariary is the current currency of Madagascar and it is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently circulating. The names Ariary and Iraimbilanja derive from the pre-colonial currency, with ariary (from the Spanish word “real”) being the name for a silver dollar. Iraimbilanja means literally “one iron weight” and was the name of an old coin worth 1/5 of an ariary.

  Today we are discussing a few Italian Lire banknotes issued in various years. The note specifications are as follows:

    5000 francs or 1000 Ariary banknote of 1995

This 5000 francs or 1000 Ariary banknote of 1995 issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Madagascar boasts all the unique Malagasy features on it.

The reverse of the note has Ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta); Diademed Sifaka (Propithecus diadema); Red Ruffed Lemur (Varecia rubra); Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher (Ceyx madagascariensis); Madagascar Fody (Foudia madagascariensis); Helmet Vanga (Euryceros prevostii); seashells; butterflies on it. The obverse portraits a Malagasy young boy with the Cane cutters, ox driven cart, abstract finial of a wooden Aloalo tomb sculpture and the massive centuries old Baobab trees in the background!

  500 Ariary / 2500 Francs (1993)

The obverse has the portrait an older Malagasy woman in centre with plants to right. The reverse has wild animals and plants of Madagascar: like the Grey heron (Ardea cinerea), tortoise, Verreaux’s Sifaka lemur (Propithecus verreauxi), butterfly, plants. This multi-coloured banknote has a Zebu’s head as its watermark.

    100 Ariary banknote (2004)

This banknote was issued by Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara/Central Bank of Madagascar in 2004.this banknote is printed in blue and tan on multicolored underprint.

The obverse of this note depicts denomination in words printed in Malagasy language at top centre and at top right in Roman script. The numerical denomination is printed at bottom left and right corners. The prefix and serial number are seen at top left corner and lower right with signatory of Governor above it. The Legend ‘Central Bank of Madagascar’ in Malagasy language is printed at bottom centre. Vignette of Ravinala and Tsingi plants at left.

The reverse of this note illustrates legend ‘Central Bank of Madagascar’ is printed in Malagasy language at top centre and year of issue at top left with text in Malagasy at left. The numerical denomination is seen at top left, right and lower left corners. The denomination in words printed in Malagasy script at bottom right corner. Vignette of mountain and trees printed at right and small map of Madagascar at upper left.

  500 Ariary banknote of 1998

Obverse: Portrait of a Malagasy woman to centre-right; The Dotted Aerangis (Aerangis punctata) or Comet Orchids to centre left; View of Prime Minister’s Palace in Antananarivo in centre middle; Abstract finial of a wooden Aloalo tomb sculpture to extreme right.

Reverse: Malagasy weavers at work in centre; Madagascar Dragon Tree to left. This orange/red note has the Zebu’s head as its watermark.

  Always wanted to visit this paradise?

  “Ta-Daa!! Your wish has come true!” Book a ticket and go explore it for yourself or collect such awesome banknotes! Save our environment and go green! Hobbies help to gain knowledge. Notaphily is such a hobby that will give you knowledge of numerous countries and their currencies.

  Indeed instead of just spending the money, just for once let’s appreciate the beauty of their designs. There are so many more such banknotes of the world and we are very excited to explore such wonderful artworks. Stay with us and let’s enjoy this together.

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The post Banknotes of Madagascar – Banknotes of the World – V appeared first on Blog | Mintage World.

[diveplanit]

Komodo, more than just dragons and drift diving

Komodo National Park, famous for dragons, so-called adrenalin diving and abundant marine life, is located more or less in the heart of the Indonesia archipelago. The UNESCO World Heritage site consists of Komodo Island itself, Rinca Island, Padar Island and numerous smaller islands around them. If you’re thinking about a dive trip, read on for everything you need to know.

Getting There

Travelling to Komodo is easy with numerous daily flights Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo from neighbouring international Indonesian hubs including Jakarta and Denpasar (Bali). Labuan Bajo (LBJ or ‘Bajo) is a fishing town located at the western end of Flores in the Nusa Tenggara region of east Indonesia. It is the gateway to the national park and is home to a whole range of accommodation choices for those after a land-based adventure. A multitude of liveaboard boats also depart from Labuan Bajo Harbour which is an easy 15-minute taxi ride from the airport.

When to go

It’s possible to dive Komodo year-round, however the liveaboard ‘season’ is between May and September, the dry season for Nusa Tenggara region. Liveaboards can be affected by adverse weather in the wet season (rough seas) but it is still possible to dive throughout the wet season, with ocean currents ensuring good visibility. Resort-based diving is primarily in the northern half of the park due to proximity. The difference between northern, central and southern sites is defined by temperature.

The North

In the north the water is typically warm and very clear with visibility averaging 25m (but it be as much as 40m) and average water temperature: 27-28°C (recommend 3mm long suit).

The stronger currents make these sites mainly suitable for experienced divers, although exceptions can be made at quarter moon phase. The strong currents make for interesting dive plans and some pretty fast drift dives, so in this area good buoyancy is a must.

The volcanic topography makes for impressive underwater landscapes and the strong currents attract the big stuff including white and black tip sharks, grey reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, mantas, mobula rays and large schools of giant trevally. Not to mention the colourful coral reefs and reef fish.

In the rainy season between December and March these sites might at times not be accessible due to north-western winds.

Central Komodo

Komodo’s central area has the most varied diving. Marine life can be completely different between sites within close proximity. Average water temperature is 27-28°C (recommend 3mm long suit) with visibility anywhere between seven to 30 metres (average 15m). It’s possible to dive year-round, with some dive sites better between April and November.

There are wall dives, pinnacle dives, drift dives, sheltered coral gardens as well as great muck diving. You’re pretty-much guaranteed turtles and reef sharks, and mantas are frequently seen at two of the sites. It is hard to summarise the Central as a whole as each dive site has its own treasure from muck to mantas and healthy corals everywhere.

The South

The water is a bit cooler in the southern areas, averaging 23 to 24°C (recommend 5mm full length suit). Visibility varies with upwellings between seven and 20 metres (average 12m). The best season for diving in the south is from October to April, as you frequently get clearer warmer water flooding the sites.

From Pantai Merah (Pink Beach) and further south, you move into the cooler upwelling water from the depths of the Indian Ocean. The upwellings, caused by ocean currents colliding with the continental shelf, bring with them an endless supply of planktonic food to the area and with it an explosion of marine-life including, of course, the filter feeding manta rays

The reefs in the south are vibrant in soft coral life, large branching corals, and sea fans. The invertebrate life here is a macro-lover’s dream come true. There is just so much, nudibranchs, frog fish, pygmy sea horses and torpedo rays.

Liveaboard Diving

If you want to experience the full range of Komodo diving, a liveaboard is the best way to do this, and there is almost an endless choice, from budget to luxury and everything in between. Most boats include land-based day trips on their off-gas day to Rinca Island to see the Komodo dragons and depending on the itinerary, a surface interval visit to one of the famous pink beaches in the area.

Land-based activities

There are plenty of tour operators in Labuan Bajo who run hiking, Komodo dragon tours, pink beach days and snorkelling trips, so if you’re travelling with kids or non-diving family members, you can put together a great mix of snorkelling, diving and other activities to keep everyone engaged over a week or so.

There are dragons on Komodo Island, but Rinca Island has a better setup, tends to be less busy and has more hiking trails. There are park fees associated with all trips into the National park and these go towards facility upkeep and ranger wages.

Padar Island has a great hike with views along the way and especially at the summit (take plenty of water and sunscreen as there is not much shade on the island trails). It’s best to go early in the day as the early morning/sunrise views would be an Instagram favourite for sure. Padar Island is also where you’ll find a famous natural phenomenon: a pink beach. This peculiar beach gets its colour from red coral fragments. It is definitely a great place to spend some time by just laying back or enjoying the underwater world with your snorkelling equipment.

Local Culture

Flores has very distinct in cultural practices worth taking time to explore and experience. There are cultural village tours, both half and full day that include performances such as the traditional bamboo pole jumping game ‘Tetek Alu’, the ‘Ndundu Dake’ dance and ‘Caci’ performances.

Dining Out

The night life and range of restaurants is always growing with something for everyone’s taste to be found. The choice of food ranges from spicy aromatic local dishes such as nasi campur through to milder western fare, with cheap eats normally a stone’s throw of most hotels. A standout is the Treetop Restaurant which has a menu with something for everyone, attentive staff and a great location. For jaw-dropping views and cocktails, La Cecile is a great place to end the day (or in fact, your dive trip).

Top Tip

Garuda Indonesia has generous sporting goods baggage allowance (An extra 23kg on International flights), just be sure to mention you have scuba equipment on check-in. If you are flying in on a domestic flight only, check with your travel agent (that’s us) or airline for excess baggage fees. These are normally quite reasonable but often cheaper if your pre-purchase.

The post Komodo, more than just dragons and drift diving appeared first on Diveplanit.

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