Back in 2011, I went from Lombok to Bali, and start my first solo trip to Komodo Island, Flores. This photo taken by my friend Arie, was my laptop screen background picture for years. Flores, Komodo & Rinca Island were indeed, one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES ON EARTH. You should see it yourself. Put it in your bucket list. The Komodo National Park.
Back then, there was no flight going to the island or if there is, it was expensive. In November 2011, I was 21 years old, just had first taste of capitalism (I mean … life) and decided I just wanted to see the world (at least these wonder ancient lizards that live in a wonderful island just 1.413 km from my hometown). I went to Bali with my family for a holiday. I was already searching for information on how to go to the Komodo Island. Some people already went. Some took like a very hardcore route of renting fishermen’s boat from Labuan Bajo (the closest city in Flores to reach Komodo Island) and a nicer way of sailing in a passenger’s boat for 4 days 3 nights from Lombok to Labuan Bajo or the other way around (today you could just fly in to Labuan Bajo, find a phinisi boat from the luxury expensive ones to the cheapest minimum facilities or even the passenger’s boat, sail for 3 days and back to Labuan Bajo again).
Let me tell you my journey to meet the Komodo dragons. I was already in contact with someone named Arie from the Komodo Sailing Trip Operator (Kencana Adventure) and suggested that I take the Labuan Bajo – Lombok route cos that means we suffer first, and that also means…. I have to get to Labuan Bajo first. How? He explained that some of his friends which will also sail with us will also coming from Lombok so I should first take the shuttle service to Lombok to meet with them. So I did.
From Bali, I took an ojek ride to a shuttle minibus service that will take me to Lombok. We arrived at the harbour, I got off the shuttle car, as I walk, I realised that I lost my wallet. It probably fell of inside the car so I went back and there it was! I was glad that I still found it but not so glad when I found out that some of my money were missing (I had about Rp 1.500.000 but when I checked it was only Rp 800.000 left, generous enough to leave more than 50% for me to survive… the glass is indeed half full). I contacted to the Shuttle Service Operator and the lady said it’s not within their responsibilities. I went inside the ferry boat and sit next to a guy which I learn later was from the US. He saw my pissed off face and asked if everything’s okay so I told him that I lost some money. He said that he will be staying at (some) hotel in Lombok and if I need help I can come and meet him … which as I’m writing this… it sounds a bit off. (but he also invited me on Linkedin?! Now I’m confused. But I think, at that time, it was just because we didn’t have access to the internet from our mobile phone, he didn’t have a local phone number yet, so he gave me his address! I could feel that he was genuine). I refused the offer because I still have some money left and I could get more money from the ATM later. When the ferry arrived in Lombok, we have to get on another car to go their arrival point, I asked if he can drop me off at the bus terminal and he said no so I have to get on a local public transport which was LIT with lights, stickers, and full volume blasting EDM. The fee was supposed to be Rp 4.000 but since I paid with RP 50.000 they gave me only Rp 40.000 change. They knew I’m not local!
Pheww… this is going to be a very long journey but bare with me.
Okay so I’ve arrived at the bus terminal after I texted the bus driver to wait for me (yes I’m fluent like that lol don’t know how did that happen). Finally met Arie’s friend, Ketut and Kadek. About 6 hours ride and we arrived in a harbour called Khayangan. We took the ferry ride then continue the ride to Bima city. Woke us up in the middle of the night for free supper that they served jail style.. rice, veggie, and choose between egg or chicken for the dish. So we arrived at Bima, and we have to go to Sape harbour to catch a ferry to get to Labuan Bajo.
I remember we missed the bus and we didn’t know when the next bus gonna come.
Ps. it’s difficult to recall something from 10 years ago so some infos might be inaccurate, pardon.
I remember we tried to charter this yellow angkot with some other passengers, a Bajo guy we called Chris John and his wife (whom got lotsss of luggage and boxes as they were moving to Labuan Bajo, and some Chinese old guy who boast a lot~ you can see them in the next photo!).
This was when the angkot broke down, couldn’t managed to hike the road, even at some point, reversed, that Ketut got scared and prayed.
So we waited on the side of the road for any bus that passes. I completely forgot if we finally got into a bus, or did we take a Cidomo (the horse carriage) to the harbour?!
I remember we waited for the ferry at Sape harbour at a warung that smells like piss, where truck drivers eat and rest. I remember shitting at the harbour toilet that has no closet, just a hole. So yeah. I made a hole in one. We arrived at Labuan Bajo near midnight, rent a cheap room. I slept like I haven’t met a bed in 24 hours (true story).
Next day, we got on our sailing boat and start the sailing trip to by far the most beautiful places I ever visited!
After the trip, I spent a couple of days on Gili Islands with the fellow trip participants, and a couple more days in Mataram with Arie, Ketut, Kadek. We remain good friends til now. I’m so grateful to made friends with good people on this journey. I guess, when we go solo, we actually never ended up alone. Let’s take care of each other.
