Kalong Island at sunset

Kalong is not a landing stop. The show is watched from the boat, and nobody steps ashore. No promise is made about numbers or timing on your evening. What the stop gives a celebration is a fixed point in the day: everyone is on deck, in the same place, at the same hour.

It is a mangrove islet between Komodo and Rinca where thousands of flying foxes roost. They leave in a long stream at dusk, about 15 minutes after sunset, and the stream lasts around 30 minutes. Sunset falls between 17:49 and 18:27 depending on the month.

On Carnaby 1 the stop closes day 1 after Kelor and Manjarite. On Carnaby 2 it follows the optional stop at Bidadari, then Manjarite and Kelor. In both cases it is the last stop before dinner on day 1.

Arrive early. The sun goes first, and the bats follow, so the toast belongs in the gap between the two. In July sunset at Kalong falls near 17:57, and in December near 18:14.

Candles on a cake are a request, not part of the fare. A cake can be arranged on request and quoted separately, and we confirm the plan in writing. Coffee, tea and mineral water are in the fare; alcohol is not.

Tell the crew the cue in advance and agree who sings, who films and who carries the cake up to the deck table. A rehearsal of ten seconds saves a wobbling candle. The birthday page has the full birthday run of show.