Indonesia 2024. The Island of Flores, Labuan Bajo, Komodo National Park = Paradise
22nd June 2024
Once again the journey from the Oberoi Hotel to Bali Airport was very slow. Our Grab taxi took just over 1 hour to complete the relatively short journey, due to the traffic jams and gridlocked Bali traffic.
We were flying to Komodo Airport in Labuan Bajo, on the island of Flores. The flight was with Air Asia.
Bali airport was busy with lots of activities sponsored by the Bali tourist board going on.
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| At Bali Airport |
Once on board, the aircraft was full and the seats very close together, but as the flight was only just an hour long it was fine.
Komodo Airport looked new, the runway has recently been and a new 'international customs desk' has been installed; so it looks like Komodo Airport is getting ready to have direct international flights arriving soon?
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| Komodo Airport |
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| Komodo Airport |
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| Komodo Airport |
I had booked the Sudamala RESORT, Komodo, as it offered free airport transfers, however, despite me following the instruction given by the hotel, there was no airport transport waiting / or available for us, so we got a taxi - it was a very short 15 minute ride to the hotel.
As we entered the hotel reception area, it was packed as two large tour groups had just arrived via the hotel transport and were being checked in.
We had a very long wait before anyone acknowledged us. Eventually we were checked in, shown to our room.
The room was located up a flight of steep stairs, there were no lifts. The room was large, clean and had a large bed. The room layout was odd, with two sinks in the bedroom and the bathroom split with the shower on one side and the toilet on the other. The good news was the shower was a good one. The grounds of the hotel were lovely and the restaurant turned out to be good. So overall the Sudamala was OK. BUT- the hotel offers a lot of included 'extras' - like the airport shuttle, visits to its other hotel on an island, yoga on the beach, excursions and diving lessons. Not one of theses things were available to us, each time I asked it was either an out right 'No', or I was sent some where else to ask and then told things were not available- my experience made me think the hotel was rather mean and certainly not the resort it professes to be!
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo |
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| Sudamala Resort, Komodo. Sinks in the bedroom and split bathroom. |
23rd June 2024
I booked an afternoon tour with 'One click tours' to see the Flying Foxes, but got a message to meet the guide in the hotel lobby at 10.30.
Our guide was waiting for us when we arrived. We were taken to the harbour via a stop at a local shop to collect our lunches. At the harbour we boarded a wooden boat and made our way to the first stop - a small island where we walked up to the top of the hill for the view and then swam in the sea.
We then tucked into our fabulous lunch box and enjoyed three more island / snorkelling stops before we got to the spot where at 18.00 the large fruit bats emerge from the mangroves to find food.
The whole day was a great experience, even though the wooden boat was very noisy - ear plugs were needed!
24th June 2024
Today, as the hotel was unable to accommodate our request to go to the Sudamala resort on Seraya, or to go diving! We rented a motor scooter from a shop opposite the hotel and went out and explored the peninsular north of Labuan Bajo. It is absolutely beautiful, with views that must rank as some of the best in the world and soon to be capitalised on as a lot of luxury resorts and hotels are under construction. Many with overwater bungalows.
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| Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia |
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| Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia |
25th June 2024
Today we were doing the 'classic' Komodo trip. Leaving the harbour on a very large, modern, clean and safe speedboat, The Gold Orca.
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| Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia |
First stop was Padar Island, with a long walk to the top. Worth every step to see the view.
Then Komodo Island, to see the dragons.
Kanawa Island was the last stop.
It was such a good day, one I will remember forever, The crew were fabulous, the lunch and many snacks and drinks we received were great. The whole experience was perfect.
26th June 2024
Just a day of lazing by the pool and the beach.
27th June 2024
It was an early flight with Air Asia back to Bali.
We were just staying two nights in Bali, so went back to the hotel in Seninyak and enjoyed two days of total relaxation and a delicious meal at Sardine Restaurant with its lit up rice fields.
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| Breakfast at the Oberoi Hotel |
😊😊😊
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