6 – 24 August 2009
It is very interesting that mangroves and seagrass beds do not hold as much tourist attraction as flamboyant coral reefs. Fair enough as coral reefs are magical and full of variety of shapes and animals. But there is beauty in each ecosystem – so much so that we have this blog entry as a short showcase of each habitat.
Islands
Again the stark contrast between the barren landscape and thriving underwater seascape of stunning Komodo National Park 
So much starfish in the shallows!
Coral Reefs
Stunning reef formation in crystal clear waters 
Rice terraces yes, but plate coral terraces? Mangroves
Air roots of a very old black mangrove tree with a little cardinal fish lurking about 
What's amazing about mangroves is it is home to loads of juvenile fish. It is a nursery and haven for reef fish before they venture out into the wild fish-eat-fish world of the coral reefs Seagrass Beds
A different scene altogether. Seagrass beds had rays and jellyfish and all sorts of camouflaging critters so well hidden, I couldn't find them! But I know they were there . . . 
Thousands upon thousands of these golden fish nibbling on blades of seagrass in synchronized motion. I spent hours watching them eat