Capture 2: Labuan Bajo...a gateway to heaven on earth

If the famous Komodo Island or Padar Island is your next destination, for sure you will not be able to escape Labuan Bajo. This town has the nearest airport called Komodo Airport if you fly in, and if you arrive by road from other location in Flores, this town is your final stop then. There are many piers along the waterfront, for boats that bring visitors to the beautiful surrounding islands for the cost starting from Rp1.5 million per boat. Just a small town, famous with it's night seafood stalls (at Kampung Ujung) yet has so much to offer. Daily flights from Bali (Nam Air and Wings) take about 45 minutes to reach Labuan Bajo.



Boarding the boat to start the adventure. At one of the pier in Labuan Bajo.

Being the main town for the surrounding islands, Labuan Bajo become the business center where people visit frequently for
food products and other necessities.

 Dried seafood seems to be one of the favorite food products as the main market here 50%  filled up
with dried fish, dried squid and dried prawn.

Me, getting the local feel again....and in this case the smell too.

 

There are many hotels and inns around the town, and many tour agents offering the boat services for island hopping. You can opt to overnight on the boats too if you fancy that, or you can even choose to stay in the local boat owners home if you manage to find boat owners who offers that service. For food choices, there are few local food restaurants and a western food café open during the day, and for the night you can indulge as much as you like with so many sorts of seafood dishes offered when the stalls are open for business. The little town, turn into a vibrant town in the evening. 

 

 Pak Jaharudin (mobile no: +6282147325705) we chose him to take us for the island hopping and we stayed
 at his place on Komodo Island.

 Scenery of the waterfront

Labuan Bajo seen from the sea

 

 Landmark of the water front, in between the main market and food stalls rows. 

 There are many snacks stalls open at around 3pm at the waterfront area. This one is the delicious hot
fried banana, which I could not resist.

 Part of the activities of the local children in the evening. Cheerful!

The airport is called Komodo airport, with a new and modern building

 

 





Capture 1: Pulau Padar...an amazing journey

Pulau Padar, a beautiful island located in Flores, is not something that you should skip when you are traveling in Indonesia. This island is accessible by boat from Labuan Bajo (nearest airport) and the ride normally takes around 4 hours. 



The 4 bays surrounding the island enhance the magnificent view of this whole island.

Few flights such as Nam Air (Sriwijaya) and Wings (Lion Air) fly from Bali to Labuan Bajo on daily basis. Even though Labuan Bajo is a small town, you have choices of accommodation ranging from backpacker's inn to a five stars hotel. It is also easy to find boat services for the tour to the surrounding islands including Padar and the famous Komodo Island. If you are okay with staying with the locals in their home, you can choose to do so in Komodo Island (contact: Mr. Jaharudin +6282147325705, a boat owner), this will cut short your journey time to Padar Island the next morning. But please take note that the stay will be very basic and only for those with adventurous heart :)

 

Do start the journey early so you can reach Padar Island before 8am, for two reasons 1. It gets crowded by 9am onwards 
2. it get super hot and humid by noon

 The boat owner, Mr. Jaharudin

 Approaching Padar Island. Already quite a few boats docking as early as 8am.

 I truly enjoyed my time taking shots and shots of photos. This one was pre planned as I love to do something different during
my hike here.

 

No one lives in Padar, 99% of the island are solid rock with so little of vegetation, only few trees spotted around the island. The trail and ascend is easy to moderate and suitable even for small children. The hike to the top usually takes about 45 minutes, and you will be greeted with a breathtaking view...almost paradise on earth.