Labuan Bajo, Yes. there’s such place

My business partner, Gina and I enrolled in a conference….but…Labuan Bajo.??? where the heck is that? So I did my internet surfing.

If you are Malaysian, like me, you may take MAS or Airasia to Denpasar(Bali), Indonesia, which takes 2.30hrs. Next, you may take a domestic Fokker flight operated by Lion Air or Merpati to Labuan Bajo.

I just came back last night and still groggy of sleepiness, while when I was out there for 4 days I was looking fresh as ever.

Trip was quiet short, but the environment as I reached Bali, contributed to the hoohaa…feelings. Anyway, I wouldn't make too much fuss about it, but just an advice, if you ever go to Indonesia, set your mind that its going to be crowded anywhere until you reached your hotel room.

Going through the immigration was faster than I thought.

First thing caught my sight were those beautiful paintings hung on the wall everywhere.

So, there I was, arriving Denpasar, then later told that my luggage was still in Malaysia. Great..!!!

The book said, do not stress yourself, what ever happens, just relax….and  enjoy yourself… So, I obeyed.

Phew....!! I found a lounge especially for Citibank Platinum card holders. Being the bank’s member for more than 20 years, I think I deserve a good treat from the bank.

Gina and I waited for our flight in the simple and comfortable lounge, filling myself with liquid after liquid. That’s my secret of staying energetic while travelling. drink mineral water and juices a lot.

20 minutes later than the actual time. our flight was at last, called. So we left the ‘Bandara Ngurah Rai’ (Name for Bali Airport) , thinking of what am I going to wear to the conference later in the evening. Whatever…..relax…enjoy…. (I remembered the book said, again)

    

There was a shuttle ferrying us to the small aircraft, by LION Air.

          

1.5 hours later…..

  Labuan Bajo, the destination that we, the whole group who were there to attend the conference , were heading.

 

One thing I love about Indonesia, is the colorful culture.

As we touched down, The Head man of the province, and his cultural group were there to greet.

 

I just kept myself busy with my camera, not wanting to miss anything.

Ah..I met someone I came to know in those good old days when he was still a client. Pak Joko.

   

   While others waited for their luggage, I continued playing with my camera.

 

 

No too long after that, we boarded the van. I chose to sit in front.

  

This is Pak…errr…(I forgot).

Being seated infront, I had the advantage of having a better view of the town and the surrounding area.

        

Beautiful small town…..

   I saw a tiny minie adult chicken by the roadside.   

 

We reached the hotel, La Prima, within 15 minutes. Registration done and we then, sent to Hotel Jayakarta , where the conference was to be held.

  

Anton, was among my first new acquaintances.

And this …was the first Komodo I saw. Don't worry, it doesn't bite.

The conference began. Oh..in case you are wondering…

I actually bought a T-shirt to wear, while waiting for my luggage, which was still a night away. The disposable panty in my handbag came in handy too. ngeee……

   

Within the conference, I kept on looking out to the window, to the islands. My heart were already there, the island I was looking forward to visit.

 

YEAYY..!!! the conference ended 2 days later.That much awaited day came, at last.

That very morning, I woke up earlier than I should. My mind was full of the images of the Jurassic Dragon.

Wait..!! I forgot to tell you that my luggage  arrived on the promised date. That day, I was excited and full of eagerness waiting for my transport to the airport to collect my bag then, when some good looking policemen were also excited knowing  that I am a Malaysian.

These handsome Policemen were not there to guard me though, they were there to ensure their Mr.President known as SBY will be safe. The Indonesia President happen to also visit the island, but I didn't get to see him

These photographs with the friendly locals were taken during our dinner at the hotel.

 

Ok, about my missing bag, I at last got it, alright.

Now back to my excitement…

Visit to Rinca Island, where the great Dinosaur era creature, Komodo, can be found. The visit to the island was part of the conference’s agenda.

Everyone was so excited that morning. We had bus ready to shuttle us to the port.

     

All participants were ready at the port at 6:30 am. Just look how broad day light it is, while in Kuala Lumpur, it would still be beyond visibility.

Our hired boats were ready, waited in line.

 Watch your step, Gina….

It wasn't easy for Gina and I to board the boat, we did it , anyway.

          

By 7am, we were all happily seated in the boat.

Half an hour later, out boat started to move.

I didn't know anyone other than my business partner, then, anyway, I just went ahead talking to them as if I’ve known them for ages.

Playing Titanic, and playing sailor….excuse me Mr. Popeye..move over please….

Don't worry Mister, I will get us to the right island.

 

I enjoyed  the scenery so much.

Beautiful………

  

We passed by islands after islands…. 

after islands….

after islands….    

At last……the  2 hours boat ride reached ‘Pulau Rinca’ (Rinca Island).

JENG..!!JENG..!!JENG..!!!!  (suspense)

 

We reached ‘Loh Buaya’ , where the Komodos were expecting for their visitors. Seems that, the locals call the Komodo, ‘buaya’ (crocodile).

   The young rangers gave us a quick briefing on the DO’s and Dont’s

   

These are among those parts that didn't get swallowed by the Komodo, while other parts of the body, including bones and hooves are all get digested. The ranger said, Komodo could last the whole month without eating, once they had their stomach filled.

The field walk started not long after that…

it was HOT..!!!..but the excitement overcame the heat.

There is a kid in every adult.

AHAH..!! we saw the first one. This one is big but not hungry. So, its found it’s comfort zone under the ranger’s quarters.

   

The clicking of our cameras didn't bother this guy at all.

We continued our walk. I followed the handsome ranger closely, but not for the look though.

He would be my savior , just in case if……and if.. and  if…..

AHAH..!!!!! more to see…

They were there, under the rangers’ quarters, close to the kitchen.

Adi, from Kupang, my new friend, and I, proudly capturing memories with those dragon.

The ranger said, they could smell food, especially blood, from more than 5 km away. Among the DONT’s is … ladies who are having period(menstruating) , are not allowed to enter the place.

Watch out, Gina..!!! they are moving towards you..!!!

Hu.hu.hu.. the dragon seemed to be moving towards me too.

 

 

click..click…click…click…..ok guys…thats enough, we have to continue our trail.

Along the trail, we came across a white traces of the Komodos’ droppings.

 

Also buffalo’s droppings

Buffalo are among the dragon’s special prey. We found one, as we walked through the trail looking for the Jurassic dragon.

We came across monkeys too.

According to the ranger, Indonesian government stops feeding the Komodo. They let nature takes its course. 

Look..!!! Komodo’s nest.

17 August is their mating date…huh?… why only that date?…I didnt have a chance to ask the ranger.

Komodo makes a 2 meters  hole in depth. They lay about 30-35 eggs. The incubation period is 9 months. Only about 50% of the eggs get hatched and from that, only 20% survival rate.

Komodo practically eats everything, including their young. To be safe, the young Komodo would dwell up in the tree for up to 2 years.

The amazing part is, the nest is also shared by a type of bird, which digs  1 meter deep in the same hole, doesn't the  predator smell their existence in there.?? hmmm… I have no answer for that.

Too bad, we didn't come across the bird, called ‘Burung Gosong’

 

Komodo’s poisonous saliva could kill the prey almost instantly.

Guess what..?..Our ranger said there was an old ‘Nenek’ (old lady/granny) died quite recently, attacked by the dragon. And that wasnt the first incident. eyeeeuuwwww….. That caused us to continue our trails following the DO’s and DONT’s obediently, all the way.

It was hot and humid, but who would want to be left far behind. So, we  walked and walked..and walked

 ….”Gina, are you still there??” I kept on checking on my friend, who tracked quite further behind me. By now, everyone should have known her name.

LOOK..!!!!! There is another one under the trunk.….. watch your step guys…..She didn't seem happy with the attention.

We passed by with extra careful, beside this unhappy mom. My ranger offered me to sit slightly closer to be captured in a camera with it.

“No..no..no…..I still have a long trip to do and my family are waiting for me to comeback in one piece.” The group laughed

In another 30 meters away…..

 

LOOK..!!!! There’s another one. This one looks very alert.

MAKE SURE…YOU STAY BEHIND ME….! I told the ranger as I got someone to handle my camera. As I heard the click, I jumped far from the creature. phew..!!

The tracking resumed.

  Old trees amazed me too. Lovely sights they made.

As I was enjoying the tree structure, I turned my attention down to the ground. Not too far from there, again, the ranger pointed at another adult komodo. shhh………dont make noise……

After all the clicks of cameras, we headed back to the starting point. but…….

 

 AHAHHHH….!!!!!!  this naughty one blocked our track and it didn't want to give way. So, we had to maneuver our way through the bush.

At last….

We reached the end of our trail.

 

And back to the boat tired, hungry and thirsty….however….

Lunch in a box helped indeed.

I asked everyone for their emails and Facebook accounts…..

for us to  exchange photos and to get to know each other better in the future.

Somewhere in between the journey back, we stopped by another island called, ‘Pulau Bidadari’ (Fairy Island). Neither Fairy nor Komodo found there.

Half and hour later, our boat were heading back to Labuan Bajo Port.

We left the jetty at around 3pm, with wide smile, full of satisfaction.

YEAYYY…!!!!!!

 I’ve seen Komodo…!!!!

And I bought the little wooden carving with me back to Malaysia.

From the actual price RP150,000, I negotiated down to RP90,000 ~ RM35 ~USD11