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| Labuan Bajo |
It was late afternoon when I arrived in Labuan Bajo. As usual the first thing to do was to find some affordable accomodation. In Labuan Bajo we (me and the friend I met on the ferry) met with a really nice couchsurfer who helped us find a cheap place to stay for the first night. She herself could't host us for the time being as her houseboat was being renovated. But we spent a nice evening at a restaurant together.
Later I went out to find some people to go on a trip to Komodo. Labuan Bajo is a very small place, pretty much everything is located close to the harbor. Accommodation, restaurants, shops and supermarkets - you find them all along the main street. There are many places offering trips to the national park. However it was already late and most places were closing. The first place I went in was searching for a sixth person to go on a one day trip to Rinca Island. I was hesitant first but then I agreed. This I would soon regret. The tour cost me 300.000 IDR. It included the boat trip to Rinca, a trip to a snorkeling spot on a small island nearby and also lunch. Not included were the snorkeling gear (you can rent it for 30.000 IDR) and the tickets to enter Komodo National Park. Don't let anyone sell you tickets to the national park outside. The Tickets can only be bought at the national park. But the folks here are relatively honest so you probably (but not guaranteed) won't be tricked into getting one. Just don't buy a ticket to the national park when you are still on Bali!
The ticket to enter the national park costs 25.000 IDR. But you need to
pay additional 50.000 IDR if you want to use a camera. The tickets are
valid for 3 days in a row. So don't loose them! You can reenter the
National Park as many times as you want in this period. The Rangers that give you a tour are paid separately. They charge only 15.000 IDR for their services. You pay this together with the entrance fee at the ranger station.
If you find enough people the trip to Komodo gets cheaper. Most places that offer tours already know this and they try to arrange it. There are always open requests posted outside the tour shops, looking for further people to join. So keep your eyes open!
As I walked along the main street of Labuan Bajo I found another tour shop. This one offered a two days trip for 500.000 IDR. With travels to both Rinca and Komodo Island and an overnight sleep on the boat. That was the actual tour I had in mind before coming to this place. And that's the reason I regretted my decision to take the tour to Rinca. I knew I shouldn't have taken the first offer even it was already late.
It takes about 3 hours to reach Rinca Island by boat from Labuan Bajo. To Komodo it takes 4-5 hours! Therefore it's better to take a 2 days trip. The first day visiting Rinca and the next day from Rinca to Komodo.
The next morning I woke up early in the morning as my tour to Rinca was scheduled at 7 am. As usual in Indonesia the tour guy was a bit late. This time it was just a 20 min delay, so it was acceptable . Got to learn to be relaxed and enjoy the the day.
Soon we sat in a small boat, the anchor was pulled and on our way we were. Soon I would set foot on the island of the infamous komodo dragons. The Boat trip itself in this sea would have been worth the trip. The scenery here is just breathtaking. The most stunning place I've so far visited. The weather was just perfect and the sea really calm. This part of the sea is in general much calmer than the one around Bali. If you are lucky enough you might see some sea life. I was lucky and saw a sea turtle swimming under the water.
Pictures
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My Video
Komodo National Park: Rinca Island
Soon we arrived at the entrance to the Komodo National Park on Rinca Island. You'll see mangroves along the cove. Rangers are waiting at the port, escorting arriving tourists to the ranger station. The first animals we saw were crabs and than we saw some monkeys, two of them were mating. You are only able to see monkeys on Rinca Island, but not on Komodo Island. The Ranger station is close to the Port. First thing to do buy tickets and the tour can start. Our first stop, the kitchen front. You heard right, the front of the kitchen. You could call this place the Komodo dragon chill-out-zone. The grown up dragons are lazy as hell. They are just lying around the kitchen, drawn by the smell of the food. This is the only place you can be sure to see a dragon in the flesh. We were able to see a young Komodo dragon. Less than 1 m long (tail included), this youngster was quite active. Smaller dragons avoid the older ones, as they might get targeted and eaten. Baby dragons spend their first months on trees. Once they get tall enough they spend all of their time on the ground. About a week ago before I arrived the newest generation of dragons had just hatched. One of the rangers told us that he was able to see some baby dragons. Komodo dragons need 9 months to hatch. They mate around juli/August, that's the time when the hormones go crazy and the male dragons start fighting in order to reproduce.
We did a one and a half hours tours around the island. Regrettably, the long route had been closed that week, so we only made the medium tour. The tour starts trough the forest and than up onto the grassland hills. The best Chance to see wild animals is in the forest, but I'm afraid that we were unlucky. The only dragons we saw were those lying around the kitchen. During the days it gets too hot for the dragons, so they stay in the shadows. Monkeys were the only animals besides komodo dragons we had seen. Not even a single water buffalo could be seen, even though they had left lots of 'traces' of their presence.
We did a one and a half hours tours around the island. Regrettably, the long route had been closed that week, so we only made the medium tour. The tour starts trough the forest and than up onto the grassland hills. The best Chance to see wild animals is in the forest, but I'm afraid that we were unlucky. The only dragons we saw were those lying around the kitchen. During the days it gets too hot for the dragons, so they stay in the shadows. Monkeys were the only animals besides komodo dragons we had seen. Not even a single water buffalo could be seen, even though they had left lots of 'traces' of their presence.
Pictures
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| The entrance port to Komodo |
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| Like entering Jurassic Parc |
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| The ranger station on Rinca |
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| Ranger showing the map of Rinca |
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| This dragon seems to have a hangover |
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| a young dragon |
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| the grown ups are all lazy |
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| in the jungle |
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| water buffalo skull on a tree |
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| Ranger presenting Rinca |
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| view from on top off a hill |
My Video
A documentary about Komodo Dragons with Steve Irwin
Fun Fact: It was thought that the microorganisms in the mouth of the dragons would kill their victims after a bite, but it was proofed that komodo dragons are in fact venomous. So far only the gila monster and a close relative of it were known to be the only poisonous reptiles on the planet. It's possible that there are more venomous reptiles of which we are not aware of.
Snorkeling and a side trip
After departing from Rinca we went to a small island close by, where we went snorkeling. I must say that the underwater world here is more beautiful than that around the Gili Islands. I especially liked the beautifully rainbow colored parrot fish. Here you can still see intact nature. But I'm afraid that the corals here are also to some degree affected by bleaching.
We only got 1 hour for snorkeling as two of our tour mates were planning on going to seraya kecil, an island to the north of bajo, where they would stay for a few days. And I must admit I got jealous as the island appeared really nice and there were only a handful bungalows on the whole island. A really nice place to relax and enjoy. I would recommend this island instead of Gili, if you are looking for natural peace.
At the end it was a really great tour, which I really enjoyed. I still regret not taking the other tour, however, I've come to terms with it, as I had one of the best days in my life. Totally worth coming all the way. It was enough to have visited Rinca, but next time I'm here I'm also definitely going to visit Komodo.
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| Sunset Labuan Bajo |
Flores, Labuan Bajo
After our tour I was invited for dinner by and spend a nice evening conversing about stuff.
The people in Flores are different than those I met on Bali. Even though Labuan Bajo in contrast to Sumbawa can be considered a touristic place, it isn't as touristic as those places on Bali. The touristic industry is still in development in these parts. Only a handful of tourists who visit Bali make their way to this place. In Labuan Bajo you will also be asked if you want transport, but no one will bother you as in Bali. A 'no' is a 'no' and shaking your head is already enough. No one on this Island was intrusive, bothersome or persistent. A really nice place with nice folks. I really enjoyed my stay here.
However, the blessings of the modern world have also reached this part of the world. The beaches near Labuan Bajo were quite dirty. With plastic litter everywhere. A very daunting sight. Otherwise a beautiful place. The weather was great, the water warm. Hopefully, the people here will learn the value of their land before tourism reaches levels as on Bali. Next to the beach there is a big hotel. It pretty much destroys the nice scenery when you arrive by boat to the island. It sticks out from far away and simply doesn't fit in. The two tour mates who invited me for dinner, said that they were possibly the only guests in their hotel at that time. I'm not sure but I think it was that hotel.
Diving around the Komodo Island is said to be something you must do if you are here and have a diving license. There are many tours that include a diving trip. But you should stick to a company that is known to be professional. Don't try to safe money here. Safety goes first. A diving instructor I met on Gili told me that the diving spots around Komodo are at least 5 times greater than those around Gili. But these parts are not so optimal when you want to do your diving license. Better do it in your home country before you come here. Or if you got time to spare here, you can do it on Gili, as it's said to have good spots for beginners.
However, the blessings of the modern world have also reached this part of the world. The beaches near Labuan Bajo were quite dirty. With plastic litter everywhere. A very daunting sight. Otherwise a beautiful place. The weather was great, the water warm. Hopefully, the people here will learn the value of their land before tourism reaches levels as on Bali. Next to the beach there is a big hotel. It pretty much destroys the nice scenery when you arrive by boat to the island. It sticks out from far away and simply doesn't fit in. The two tour mates who invited me for dinner, said that they were possibly the only guests in their hotel at that time. I'm not sure but I think it was that hotel.
Diving around the Komodo Island is said to be something you must do if you are here and have a diving license. There are many tours that include a diving trip. But you should stick to a company that is known to be professional. Don't try to safe money here. Safety goes first. A diving instructor I met on Gili told me that the diving spots around Komodo are at least 5 times greater than those around Gili. But these parts are not so optimal when you want to do your diving license. Better do it in your home country before you come here. Or if you got time to spare here, you can do it on Gili, as it's said to have good spots for beginners.
Well Flores is one nice spot on the map. Even if I haven't seen much of it while I was there, my impressions I got were great. If you are a lover of natural places than this is a place I'd really recommend. And if you got time you should travel further east there are really nice places to visit. The one thing everyone recommended me is the volcano Kelimutu. On top of it there are 3 lakes, each having a different color.
Last day, meeting new friends
On my last day on Labuan Bajo I went to the beach simply to relax. There I met a group of Indonesians enjoying the day at the beach. They invited me to join them. I was a bit hesitant, as I did not know what to think of it. I thought they might be after my money, but I was so wrong. These were the nicest guys I met on my journey. They offered me their food and drinks, even insisted that I take some. One of them was able to speak English so we were able to do some fun conversations. They turned out to be seaman, who arrived in Labuan Bajo the other day and were taking a break. They comprised of young Indonesian guys who had origins from different islands, but had become the best buddies. Thanks to them I had a great last day.
Leaving Labuan Bajo
The next morning I had my flight back to Kuta. I booked a one day earlier flight, as I had to catch a flight on the next day and I did not want to miss it. Also the ticket was 200.000 IDR cheaper than for next day's flight. The Airport in Bajo is small and close by. You can actually walk to it. I took a motor bicycle for 5000 IDR.
I bought my flight ticket from Lion Air. There are also other Airlines who fly to Denpasar, and which are cheaper but they make a stop in between and they are not always on schedule. For my ticket I had to pay 1.450.000 IDR. Usually it's about half the price, but as I returned at the end of Galungan the prices were doubled. At the end of Galungan, many Indonesians return from their families back to Bali, Jakarta or somewhere else. So the Airport companies increase their ticket prices. It's better to book early enough and you might get it cheap even around the time of Galungan. I bought my tickets just when I was in Labuan Bajo. Also one thing to consider, you can't be sure that there will be a flight available in the last minute. All seats could be occupied as there is only one flight per day. If you need to catch a flight you better pre-book.
A side note, the Airport at Labuan Bajo will charge you a fee of 5000 IDR.
NEXT: Australia
Last day, meeting new friends
On my last day on Labuan Bajo I went to the beach simply to relax. There I met a group of Indonesians enjoying the day at the beach. They invited me to join them. I was a bit hesitant, as I did not know what to think of it. I thought they might be after my money, but I was so wrong. These were the nicest guys I met on my journey. They offered me their food and drinks, even insisted that I take some. One of them was able to speak English so we were able to do some fun conversations. They turned out to be seaman, who arrived in Labuan Bajo the other day and were taking a break. They comprised of young Indonesian guys who had origins from different islands, but had become the best buddies. Thanks to them I had a great last day.
Leaving Labuan Bajo
The next morning I had my flight back to Kuta. I booked a one day earlier flight, as I had to catch a flight on the next day and I did not want to miss it. Also the ticket was 200.000 IDR cheaper than for next day's flight. The Airport in Bajo is small and close by. You can actually walk to it. I took a motor bicycle for 5000 IDR.
I bought my flight ticket from Lion Air. There are also other Airlines who fly to Denpasar, and which are cheaper but they make a stop in between and they are not always on schedule. For my ticket I had to pay 1.450.000 IDR. Usually it's about half the price, but as I returned at the end of Galungan the prices were doubled. At the end of Galungan, many Indonesians return from their families back to Bali, Jakarta or somewhere else. So the Airport companies increase their ticket prices. It's better to book early enough and you might get it cheap even around the time of Galungan. I bought my tickets just when I was in Labuan Bajo. Also one thing to consider, you can't be sure that there will be a flight available in the last minute. All seats could be occupied as there is only one flight per day. If you need to catch a flight you better pre-book.
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| Airport Labuan Bajo |
A side note, the Airport at Labuan Bajo will charge you a fee of 5000 IDR.
NEXT: Australia
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