I really never thought that I would go traveling this far. It is true that after Belitung trip I was kinda obsessed to go to another similar place. We planned on this journey since December 2016. It started from Cindy, Sandy, and me. Then we tried hard to persuade our friends to join along but it happened that we needed to look for another friends outside our circle. Cindy got another 2 friends, and so did I. In total, our trip consisted 7 persons and we took private trip with one of tour company we found in Instagram. There are a lot of names you can find by searching the hashtag of #komodotour#pulaukomodo#overland flores, etc. Just make sure you got the best deal out there :).
We traveled for 7 days 6 nights overland from Flores to Komodo. Our start point was Ende and end point was Labuan Bajo. Usually, common tours will offer you the reverse route but if you take private trip, I suggest to have our route which I thought you will have more energy for the last 3 days sailing. Otherwise you will be very tired after do some hikes and I bet you'll have some wet clothes inside your luggage and you still need to travel for the last 3-4 days.
Lets begin our journey!
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| H.Hasan Aroeboesman Airport |
Day 1: We were pick up at H.Hasan Aroeboesman Airport at Ende with big van for 7 persons. The weather was extremely hot so I guess you wanna use lots of sunblock. Be ready for a very long journey since the distance was really far from one place to another place. I took Antimo drugs and prefer to sleep during the journey. Yet we found a very beautiful farm and worth to stop to take some pictures. The place called DETUSOKO-ENDE. We were then continue heading to Moni.
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| DETUSOKO-ENDE |
It was very cold when you arrived at the starting point, my body was freezing so I wore 2 jackets, lol. But then along the journey the weather was really fine. We were so luck that it only rained one day before we went here.
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| Sunrise View Point at Kelimutu Lake |
Unless, we would not enjoy the clear lake as this picture,
Then we visited another view point which actually you may not go to this area as it was forbidden but.... haha.
This lake has a lot of history. It is believed that many spirits live here after they died. Here is the history:
Next destination was Desa BENA. From Kelimutu to this place, it took around 3-4 hours. Yes, another long journey. Before we entered the village, we were put on a scarf as a welcoming greetings. It is not always the same thing. My mom were put on a belt when she visited this village before me. What you see here is a unique village formed like a terrace when you see it from above. Each house sells woven fabric that can be applied as scarf, headband, or big shawl. The cost is ranged from Rp 200,000 until Rp 400,000 depends on the size and color.
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| BENA VILLAGE |
At the end of the day, we stayed at Sky Flores Hotel which very decent. Just like star 3 hotel at Jakarta, it almost have everything included Wi-Fi. Breakfast also provided but only fried rice. It was tasty too. The room was clean and looked really modern.
Day 3: This day we were heading to Waerebo Village, but before that we visited Cancar Spider Web Rice Field . For me personally it is not necessary to visit this place, it only has unique form of rice field similar like spider web. Interesting is that the form is purposely made. They have their own calculation how to divide the field.
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| Spider Web Rice Field |
Without longer stay, we were going straight to Waerebo which took us 4 hours driving. I know that this trip really takes your time to drive, but it is what road trip is. Just make sure you use a comfortable transport. Btw, we changed our van to another private car. Some problems came up and we complained to our tour company and therefore we got better transportation.
After we had our lunch then we were ready to hike. We prepared 1 backpack to stay overnight at Waerebo Village. You have to take your jacket with you as it was freezing up there. A lot of water too. I brought 2 bottles with me. Remember you will be staying at a village. Please do not expect about the food you eat everyday and place you sleep. It was all super simple but you will feel happy because of that.
At first stop, we were taking motorcycle for 2 kilometers then we started hiking for 2.5 hours. Make sure you are in fit condition. It was around 3PM and thank God the weather was really great. Not too sunny and breezing. So we were less tired. We arrived at 5.30PM and no one should take pictures before we met the head of the village.
After we had our lunch then we were ready to hike. We prepared 1 backpack to stay overnight at Waerebo Village. You have to take your jacket with you as it was freezing up there. A lot of water too. I brought 2 bottles with me. Remember you will be staying at a village. Please do not expect about the food you eat everyday and place you sleep. It was all super simple but you will feel happy because of that.
At first stop, we were taking motorcycle for 2 kilometers then we started hiking for 2.5 hours. Make sure you are in fit condition. It was around 3PM and thank God the weather was really great. Not too sunny and breezing. So we were less tired. We arrived at 5.30PM and no one should take pictures before we met the head of the village.
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| Waerebo House Village |
We were invited to get into the main house as the head of village live in there. They were very welcome and greet us inside the house. They prayed for us so we could enjoy and be protected from all bad things that might happen.
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| Head of Waerebo Village and us |
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| Where they cooked our dinner :) |
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| Super simple yet super duper tasty especially the sambal :) |
You can bring snacks before you come here to give out to the children. I know this place is really high and villagers need to hike up and down to get their daily supply. The children attend the school on weekdays and go back up on weekends.
Oh! I forgot to say that there is NO signals up here. Time to pull yourself from gadgets :)
Day 4: The next day, we went down at 9AM and reached down at 11AM. We had lunch at the same place and ready to go to Labuan Bajo. We drove for 7 hours. Haha. Long-long journey.
We stayed overnight at Labuan Bajo which the city looks exactly like Bali. It was crowded and many foreigners.
Day 5: After check out, we were ready to sail! We were picked up at the hotel and heading to the port. Our boat called ALBA 01. It fit for maximum 9 guest, 5 crews and 1 captain. We were 7 so there were plentiy space to sleep. Once we were aboard, we changed to our swimsuit and explore all the corners. We went up and the sun hit us real hard, lol! Still, we took chance for talking pictures.
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| Upper Deck of The Boat |
The bedrooms and toilet were also very decent and fine. Do not compare with Phinisi Boat which bedrooms are like a hotel.
First stop was Kanawa Island. Time to jump! The underwater was great, water was perfect and it was just great. 
After we finished, unfortunately, we got problem with the screws of the propelers. Things happened but nothing serious. We needed to wait for another boat to come to bring the subtitution. The screws were drop into the water and lost. We tried hard to contact our tour company but the response were really bad. We waited for 4 hours. I knew it was crazy and annoying. Instead the captain and his crews tried really hard to look for the solution. We appreciated them a lot. So, be careful with the travel you choose, make sure it has good service.
We were then continue to head to Gili Lawa. First intention was to observe the sunset but we were just too late. We arrived at 7PM and had our dinner. We stayed overnight here and prepared for catching sunrise in the next day.
Day 6: We woke. up at 4AM and got down to the shore to hike the hill. It was very dark. We hiked for around 20 minutes to reach the top. Route up and route down are different. Lots of mindblowing views you will wander.
Go to the next destionation: Manta Point and Pink Beach.
We did not found anything at Manta Point, even no Manta Ray at that time, so we were just skip and heading to Pink Beach. If you want to snorkling make sure you are a good swimmer. The wave is quite big so you will need more energy to swim. Eitherwise you might want to ask your friend to accompany you.
At pink beach you can either snorkling or hiking. I chose snorkling of course :p.
Why it is called as Pink Beach? Near the beach, you will see a pink lining. This exceptional beach gets its striking color from microscopic animals called Foraminifera, which produce a red pigment on the coral reefs. For this reason, it is called Red Beach in the local tongue. When the tiny fragments of red coral combine with the white sands, this produces the soft pink color that is visible along the shoreline.
After we were tired of swimming, time to go to the so called Padar Island. Be ready for this hills. You'll need to hike around 1 hour with a very high incline, many obtacles, crawling and...... so on.. haha..We would catch sunset at this place. Around 3.30PM we went up, and we arrived at 4.30PM. Time was very tight, and we were busy to take pictures before the sun went down. Honestly, you should get down no later than 5PM or i guess 4.30PM. We went down at 5.30PM and it went dark very fast. Not really a good idea to watch sunset at Padar Island. Wild animals might appear.
Yet too beautiful to be true!
Day 7: Our last day! First stop was Rinca Island, where we were gonna meet the Komodos. I am just too scared to these kind of animals, but why not to see it once in a life time. You just need to be careful and I am not suggesting for you girls who are in your period time. They smell blood and i dont know if they'ss eat your butt.LOL. Actually it is still safe for women who are in period time and make sure you follow the rules and intructions from the ranger. There were 2 rangers leading us exploring the island. Komodo could appear anywhere and everywhere. Do not drop any belongings in a sudden or make any loud noises because of it. Komodo will think that it is their food.
We found a big Komodo:
Yes, there is a spot for couples :p
Why is it called Komodo Island? When you hiked in Rinca Island, you'll see a view like this. Notice something? Yes the Island forms like a Komodo. That's why they called it Komodo Island but interestingly, there are no Komodos there but in Rinca Island.
Short facts about them are: they eat each other and they eat carcass so no komodo will rot on the ground. Yes! too scary right! haha. Just do not go anywhere and by youself. I would say this place is still very dangerous without rangers.
Last resort was Pulau Kelor. You can either snorkling or hiking. I did not choose either. LOL. We were just too tired and what we did was enjoy the view as today was the day we were going home. Some say that tracking in Pulau Kelor is more challenging than Padar Island. The incline is almost 90 degress and you definetely need to crawl up and down. Lol. If you still have energy, just go up. I bet the view is amazing.
We were all very happy, the journey was very adventourous, and travel mates were also super fun!
See ya in the next trip!
See my 1 minute footage on instagram:
cheers,
Kate
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