Just back from Labuan Bajo.
This was a back to back trip for me and after Hanoi, Vietnam, this was a trip with my son to discover the Komodo Archipelago.
Our trip began with a poor delay right at the start. But that delay alone caused us to miss our transfer from Bali to Labuan Bajo. So we had to waste one night in Bali. Damn you Air Asia!
My boy and I arrived safely in Bali where we checked into a super cheap $42 3-star hotel. It was better than I expected so I cannot complain. We headed out to Jimbaran for a seafood dinner and watched the beautiful Bali sunset.
Next morning we were off bright and early to the domestic airport and caught our flight to Labuan Bajo. This sleepy port town that’s growing rapidly, looked beautiful right when we landed. We checked into our hotel which was $44/night and was also not too bad comparing how much it cost (I didn’t even mind forfeiting a night’s stay because of the previous day’s delay).
I went to book a half day outing and we went to explore Rangko Cave, which was just so so beautiful. A cave with its own pool and naturally lit by sunlight. We swam in it for a while. Then we went snorkeling near a beach in open water, my son’s first taste of snorkeling, which he didn’t like at first. Finally we went to Amelia Hill to see the sunset. The Labuan Bajo sunset is WAY better than the Bali sunset and it is just so magnificent. Dinner was at Senja Eatery which was in town.
Next day we were on a private trip. This time we went to a weaving village and rice plantation and they gave us an education about the weavers of Flores. Then off to mirror cave which was quite cool. At one point we had to don helmets and torchlights to venture into the darkness of the cave. After that it was off to Rangko Cave once more. Wasn’t as beautiful without the setting sun shining into the cave. Then a port side beach called Wai Cu Ci beach which was hit and miss tbh. Finally we went to Sunset Hill to watch the Labuan Bajo sunset yet again. Dinner was at Ta’Anataka which was part of the Luxury Collection by Marriott. Absolutely delicious.
Fourth day and we were out super early, taking a speedboat ride with 24pax to a lot of locations. First up was Padar Island where we could see the mountain island formations which were so beautiful. We had to climb a good half hour for it though and was surprised my Crocs flip flops could make it. There were some deer on the island which were so chill and cool too! Next was Pink Beach where the beach sand was pink and we chill by the hut eating Indomie which my boy started to hone his snorkeling skills.
After that was Komodo Island! This was what we came for! And it was super exciting being able to spot 4 Komodo dragons on a two hour hike! Very happy with that. Next was Taka Makassar, basically a sandbar like a mound of beautiful sand that pops up during low tide. We snorkeled a lot there. This was shortly followed by Manta Poiny. Pure snorkeling in open waters which was beautiful but we couldn’t see any Manta Rays unfortunately. Saw a huge sea turtle though. Finally it was at Kelor Island for more high point island views. What a tiring day but perhaps the most fulfilling one. Dinner was fresh BBQ seafood again by the bay.
Next day we headed off and got delayed again at Bali airport where first there was a two hour queue to collect our Batik Air tickets, followed by almost missing our flight because we waited at the wrong gate! Luckily the flight was delayed an hour plus haha.
All in this was such an awesome and memorable trip with my son!
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