Riung National Park is located outside the village of Riung on the north coast of the Bajawa area. Where you will find a diverse range of landscapes from the perfect white sand beaches to the coral gardens and woodland covering the headlands and extending back towards the coast, the national park is a beautiful place t visit when passing through Bajawa. Riung National Park is known for the large populations of flying foxes throughout its area. Riung National Park has over 20 islands despite its nickname ’17 Islands’ which is due to their being 17 min islands as well as commemorating Indonesia’s independence which was August 17. The largest of the islands is Pulau Ontoloe which is a island of grassy hills as well as trees and mangroves. You will find fruit bats or flying foxes on the island in the trees above the mangroves. Riung is a small fishing village ad offers beautiful white sand beaches and a laid back atmosphere where the local people take life easy. The diving and snorkeling in the area is incredible with so much to see across all of the islands including large and small fish and unreal coral formations. These can also be enjoyed by the simple use of snorkeling and also for those who like to stay dry, by taking a glass bottom boat tour. The boat tours are all great ways to see the best of the underwater atmospheres across all of the islands of the Riung National Park. <br><br> Riung National Park is likely to be constantly compared with Komodo National Park, for nature lovers it is totally worth visiting both of them and enjoying the cultural experiences on land in between the journey. The Riung National Park has an impressive large lizard to see. It is rare to see one in plain view but these lizards are very colorful and an incredible sight if you are one of the lucky ones. The people of the Riung re a mixture of the Islamic Buginese and the Catholics from the hinterlands of Flores and they lead their lives farming. There are many farmers including the copra exporters, the coconut farmers, dried fish, tripang and tuna. While it is traditional for the men to farm, it is also traditional for the women to weave sarongs and other fabrics in the traditional style. <br><br> There are rumors of a Komodo dragon or group of dragons residing in this area although no wildlife board ever verified this. However there was a large lizard of unknown species recently found at the Riung National Park in the caves area. This has now been removed and is on display for an extra agreeable fee you will be able to see it. It is also possible to feed the lizard with a live chicken. For a taste of the landscapes and the wildlife of Flores as well as meeting some of the people of the area, visiting the Riung National Park is a great addition to any trip through the Bajawa area.http://www.hotelsdestination.com/indonesia/flores/riung-national-park/