These convict colonists and their women were scared shitless on this island of thirst, crawling with 4-legged monsters, and built their kampung on posts as near to the sea as possible. Today they fish from outriggers, it being impossible to grow rice (too dry). the land: Nearly all the island's 76,601 arid acres are covered in coarse grassy slopes, stunted scrub bush, volcanic ridges, and lontar palms. Cave bats hover in black hollowed cliffs and the island swarms with snakes. In places the land rises 600 m from the sea. climate: The torrential monsoon season is Nov -Mar., and beginning in April through the rest of the year it's scorching hot.