Unforgettable Labuan Bajo Experience
Before pandemic is spreading all over Indonesia, I got a chance to visit Labuan Bajo last year. It was a spontaneous trip because my husband got a few days off from work.
We choose Labuan Bajo because we were kind of bored with Bali & less crowded. It’s still clean and pristine. Well, hopefully it will stay that way forever.
Labuan Bajo is located at the western end of the large island of Flores in East Nusa Tenggara. To get to Labuan Bajo, we took a flight from Surabaya to Labuan Bajo. Upon arrival, we went straight to the hotel by a mini bus provided by the hotel.
There are many tourism packages in Labuan Bajo but we decided to take a tourism package from the hotel we stayed. They have a full day package that covers few places. All meals, towels, and equipments are provided so don’t worry about anything. I only brought a swimwear and an extra clothes (just in case).
Komodo National Park
We started cruising around 8 am and the first destination is Komodo National Park. At Komodo National Park, we can see komodo from such a close distance. It was hot with no wind so don’t forget to put your glasses or hat. If you are afraid of lizard-like reptile, don’t visit this place. And don’t visit if you’re having a period. They lust for blood. Komodo has strong sense of smell and can smell the lightest bit of blood.
Padar Island
Next destination is Padar Island. A must visit destination when you’re in Labuan Bajo. Padar Island is famous for stunning panorama view. But, what they didn’t tell you is that to see this stunning view, you need to hike under the extremely hot sun light. And I forgot to use sunscreen. Wear the most comfortable shoes because it would be a long and hot hike. My husband kept encouraging me to keep going. And I felt like a grandma, I took a quick rest after few steps. I was the last on the group. LOL. But I wasn’t giving up no matter how hot the sun was grilling me.
I asked the tour guide how Padar Island was found, he said that a tourist actually found this place. I was surprised and feel like bit ashamed too. It shows how lack of adventurous spirit Indonesian people is. LOL.
Pink Beach
After hiking at Padar Island, we went to Padar’s pink sand beach. It was so beautiful! We snorkled here and the water was a little bit cold. Given how hot it was when hiking before, that’s why the water felt cold but not in a bad way. It was refreshingly cold. For your information, the sand was pink because of the red corals. The sand was smooth and cool. Perfect for cooling down after such a hot hiking.
Taka Makassar
After sunny weather at Padar Island, it went cloudy and it’s time to go back to hotel.
But, not just yet.
Before going back to hotel, we made a stop at Taka Makassar & Manta Point.
This is Taka Makassar if you Google it.
In reality, it was raining and cloudy. There was not much to see. I think it would be prettier if it was sunny.
Manta Point
And then, we went to Manta point. I thought it was some kind of island but actually you need to dive a little bit into the sea to see Manta Ray. I was so scared to see how big it was. I thought Manta Ray would be big as a turtle. It was 3 meters long (more or less). And there wasn’t just one Manta, there was like a family of them. So stunning and scaring at the same time. Unfortunately, we couldn’t swim longer because it was raining and the sea current was quite fast. And I didn’t take any picture because I didn’t bring underwater camera. But, that’s okay. It’s just the same as when you google them.
Isn’t it pretty? I was so lucky I could see this creature with my own eyes.
It was an unforgettable moment to see beautiful places in Labuan Bajo. I would recommend anybody to visit Labuan Bajo. And I don’t think it’s a baby-friendly vacation. Because it’s really hot, unless you want to leave your baby at the hotel with a nanny.
Would I come back to Labuan Bajo?
Honestly, maybe no. No for Padar Island. But, probably I would come back but in a different tourism package. Like staying on a boat, that would be fun. And I must not forget to use sunscreen.
Anyway, always remember to not trashing during traveling. Keep your trash at your bag until you find a trash can.
