Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo, A Slice of Paradise in Eastern Indonesia

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Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo
Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo

Hidden Paradise

Labuan Bajo is a hidden paradise located in the eastern part of Indonesia.

Labuan Bajo, This village is situated in the Komodo District, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, bordering West Nusa Tenggara and separated by the Sape Strait.

Labuan Bajo is one of the five Super Priority Destinations currently being developed in Indonesia.

This destination serves as the gateway to Komodo National Park, which harbors breathtaking natural beauty and world-famous prehistoric creatures.

From the endemic Komodo dragons on Rinca Island and Komodo Island to a string of exotic islands, diverse marine life, and stunning beaches, you can discover it all by starting your journey in Labuan Bajo.

Enjoying the sunset view is another way to savor Labuan Bajo's beauty.

Strategic spots for admiring this serene sunset can be found not far from Komodo International Airport.

You can choose destinations like Bukit Cinta, Puncak Amelia, and Puncak Silvia to capture the soul-soothing sunset.

There's also Gua Rangko, with its oasis-like charm and refreshing saltwater pool.

If you're an adventurer at heart, a short trek to Cunca Wulang Waterfall is a great option.

Don't miss out on the exciting live-on-board experience, where you can stay on a pinisi boat for several days while sailing to visit beautiful islands and even go diving to witness the extraordinary underwater beauty of Labuan Bajo.

Gateway to a World Paradise

Labuan Bajo and Komodo National Park are inseparable entities.

They are interconnected, so when you're in Labuan Bajo, it's essential to visit Komodo National Park.

To get there, you can take a ferry or fast boat, with numerous departure options from morning to late afternoon.

Komodo National Park, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, consists of Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Padar Island, and several other surrounding islands.

The presence of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), the world's largest lizard, was first documented in a scientific journal in 1912 by Pieter Antonie Ouwens, the Director of the Zoological Museum in Bogor.

This discovery marked the beginning of Labuan Bajo's global recognition, as many tourists and scientists came to witness the ora, the local name for the Komodo dragon.

While in Komodo National Park, you'll be treated to several astonishing attractions.

One of them is taking a photo with a Komodo dragon.

It's an unforgettable experience to capture a moment with this rare creature found only in Indonesia.

Besides the Komodo dragons, the national park is also renowned for its mesmerizing landscapes.

Photography enthusiasts must include several spots for great shots.

Take, for example, the iconic Pulau Padar with its hilly terrain and the gradient of blue sea in the background.

Pulau Kelor is equally enchanting, with its clear blue waters and breathtaking views from its peak.

Another must-visit spot is Pink Beach, known as Pantai Merah by the locals.

Did you know that the red color on this beach actually comes from microscopic organisms and reddish coral fragments along the coast?

Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo
Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo's Souvenirs

If you wish to bring home some souvenirs from Labuan Bajo, there are several unique items you shouldn't miss, one of which is the distinctive Tanah Manggarai songke fabric.

These fabrics typically have a black base with various colorful motifs on top.

Similar to other traditional Indonesian textiles, songke patterns are diverse and hold their own meanings.

Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo
Tourist Destination: Labuan Bajo

Here are some songke motifs you should know:

1. Ranggong (spider) symbolizes honesty and hard work.

2. Wela Kawu (kapok flower) signifies the connection between humans and their surrounding nature.

3. Wela Runu (runu flower) represents that Manggarai people are like small flowers that contribute to beauty.

4. Ntala (star) conveys hope and good wishes.

5. Ju'i (boundary lines) has a profound philosophy that everything has its limits.

You can purchase these songke fabrics at souvenir shops located in front of Komodo International Airport.

Labuan Bajo's Culinary Delights

Delicious Labuan Bajo cuisine can also be taken home as souvenirs, such as the famous bitter-tasting Manggarai coffee, kompiang bread made from flour with sesame toppings, or snacks made from rice flour and grated coconut called rebok.

Getting to Labuan Bajo

Labuan Bajo is accessible by land, sea, and air. The beauty of Komodo Island, combined with its rich local culture and exotic islands, makes LabuanBajo a potentially bustling tourist destination.

By Air

If you prefer air travel, Transnusa Airlines directly connects Labuan Bajo with several cities in Indonesia, such as Makassar, Semarang, Balikpapan, Kupang, and Mataram.

If you're coming from Jakarta, several airlines like Batik Air and Citilink operate flights to Labuan Bajo, with departures in the morning and afternoon.

The flight duration from Jakarta to Labuan Bajo is approximately four hours.

You can also travel to Labuan Bajo from Gewayantana Airport in Flores, Frans Sales Lega Airport in Ruteng, or H. Hasan Aroeboesman Airport in Ende.

For more flight schedule information, visit the relevant airline's website, Sobat Pesona!

By Land

Taking a road trip to Labuan Bajo via Flores is an interesting option. The journey typically starts from Flores, passing through Bajawa, Ruteng, Nancar, Mboera, before reaching Labuan Bajo.

Another alternative is from Flores to Riung, Wera, Ruteng, Nancar, and Mboera before ending in Labuan Bajo. This land journey can take up to 12 hours.

If you prefer another option, you can take a bus from Bali to Mataram, Lombok.

From there, continue the journey to Bima in Sumbawa, and then proceed to Sape. Upon arriving in Sape, you can board a ferry to Labuan Bajo.

By Sea

Interested in a sea journey to Labuan Bajo? You can take the Leuser ship from PELNI, which sails from Makassar, South Sulawesi, or the PELNI KM Binaiya ship departing from Denpasar (Benoa) to Labuan Bajo.

You can find detailed ship schedules on PELNI.

These are the essentials you need to know about Labuan Bajo.

Besides exploring the attractions, you can also capture the scenic beauty and atmosphere of Labuan Bajo using your gadgets or camera.

Remember to wear a mask, maintain social distancing, and wash your hands with running water while visiting any tourist spots in Labuan Bajo!

Read Also: Tourist Destination: The Natural Wonder of Lake Toba in Toba Samosir, North Sumatra Province

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