First LOB Experience : Labuan Bajo #Part 2

Hello world!

Really glad to know that some of you guys are waiting for the second part of our trip to Labuan Bajo. If you haven't read the first part, you can read it here --> First LOB Experience : Labuan Bajo #Part 1

Day 3 - August 19th, 2016

First Stop : Pink Beach - Komodo Island

One of the most beautiful pink beach in the world could be found in Komodo Island, Labuan Bajo. The pink-peach color can be seen with your bare eyes. If we see the sand closer, we will know that the pink color created from the combination of broken white natural color from the sand and the red color of coral's fragments. 

On Friday before sunrise, our boat was taking us to the Pink Beach. Countless brain corals with variety of sizes were clearly visible from the surface, which signed us that the sea was shallow. We jumped off the boat and snorkeling. It was really an amazing view under the water. Colorful corals, small pretty fishes, jelly fishes, and other sea creatures were adorn the oceans.

Pink Beach spotted from drone.
Captured by our talented photographer Joseph Wolfgang

Pink Beach view from the top.
Some of my friends were hiking to the top to enjoy this beautiful scenery, while me and the other ladies were too excited to just 'berenang cantik (swimming elegantly)' and had photo shots like top models on the sea shore. haha

The ladies who I mention earlier. Put your hands up!!

Stunning view, blue sky, crystal clear water, and pink sandy beach.
What more do you want to ask? I could stay here forever.

Before leaving Pink Beach, there was a wooden sign that i think was pretty catchy. It was written 'Do not take anything except photos!' I swear, please take it seriously because shit happens in the airport on the last day of our trip. I am not gonna tell you what. Just don't take anything :)

Second Stop : Taka Makassar - Manta Rays Point

Based on some sources, best time to spot manta rays are March - May and September - January. Our traveling time was in august so I was a bit pessimist to spot them. One of my friend was just heading back to Bali while we arrive at Labuan Bajo, and he said that he couldn't spot any. Our boat crews told us that there is a chance to see them in the morning - noon. Manta rays will swim to the surface around 7-8 AM and still can be found in around 10-15 meters deep before noon.

Around 10 AM the boat crews were spotted some Manta Rays in the Manta Point. The sea wave was strong so we were suggested to wear a life vest. The sea depth was approximately 12 meters. It was so tense but really fun experience. You just have to be relax and just let the wave guide you. I spotted 4 manta rays in the sea bed with my own eyes! Couldn't take any good pics since they were too deep and i can't dive in :') We were lucky enough to see those friendly mantas.

Taka Makassar, a tiny isle in the middle of the sea.
We have to swim (again) to reach it but we were to tired and lazy to get there after chasing manta rays.

Third Stop : Gili Laba (Sunset)

Sun-kiss and summer breeze in the afternoon is the best time to take some nap. When the boat took us to our last stop of the day, we need to rest our body for a while before the next challenge: trekking at Gili Laba (or known also as Gili Lawa). 

See the blue-greenish sponge that Mul pushing forward? We have to ride it from our boat to the seashore. Mul was kindly escorting us two by two using the cork.

The track was steeper than in Padar Island. Really exhausted but thrilled by the fancy view around.
Captured by Darfan 

Gili Laba View from the top. Captured by NX Mini

Captured by drone @ Joseph Wolfgang.
Behind the picture story: He almost lost the precious drone in Gili Laba! So the wind was too strong as always and the drone fly too far until we couldn't see its existence at all. The battery was about to die soon and later he realized that it was in an incorrect mode. In short, the drone finally came back with 2% battery remaining. What a relief!

Happy faces after the drone back.

Sunset at Gili Laba

Day 3 Summary : Day 3 itinerary completed. Should be better if go to manta point early in the morning.

Day 4 - August 20th, 2016

First Stop : Pulau Sembilan - Jelly Fish Point

Pulau sembilan = 'Nine' Island can be spotted only in the morning when low tide. This island was actually countless pieces of fraction corals which naturally forming an amazing shape of '9'. Tons of sting less jelly fishes could be found there.

Source: Google
Pulau 9 from the top would be more or less look like this

Me with the squishy jelly fish

Bring your slippers along with you while you there unless you want to hurt your foot. The island have no sands but dead corals!

Second Stop : Kanawa Island

Kanawa island is a private Island which is managed by a French and I could say that this is the best spot for snorkeling. The sea water is really shallow, calm and clear to the point that you can see EVERYTHING in the water from above the bridge. Clown fish, starfish, sea urchins, moorish idol fish, jellyfish and more. Even when I was sitting on the shore, some of the fishes were approaching me.

Our last place will be the last chances to take our most beautiful photos. Captured from drone by Joseph W.

Floating time! After several trial and errors to make a circle.

My best self-portrait over all

Crystal clear water at Kanawa Island.

We had a really short time at Kanawa so we didn't have a chance to snorkel :( so sad. We got back to our boat in hurry to catch our return flight back to Bali in the afternoon. 

We were running out of clean water on our third day living on the boat so some of us haven't take a shower for several days. While we stop by at Kanawa Island, the boat crews were initiative to buy clean water from other boat without any additional charge borne to us. So after the whole nights letting my body covered with sands and salts, finally i could clean the mess ;'D Clean water is expensive so don't waste it!

Going Home

Time flies too fast and it always hard to end a journey with dearest friends. Full team photo before heading home. From back left to right : Ujang (boat crew), Ivan, Micha, Cindy, Jojo, Dea, Juma & Mul (boat crew), front : Joseph, Amal, Stella, Me, Darfan

In front of Komodo International Airport, Labuan Bajo. See you later!!

Last day summary: didn't have enough time to visit Bidadari Island so I can't share to you any story of it. Labuan bajo was totally amazed me! Thank God to let this trip happens <3 

As I promise before, below is the additional costs during our trip:

• Rinca Island Entrance Fee: IDR 5,000 / USD 0.50 for domestic tourist. you could get a student price at only IDR 2,500,- at minimum 10 persons/ group.
• Ranger at Rinca : IDR 80,000 / USD 6.00 per ranger for max 5 visitors.
• Conservatory and research : IDR 20,000 / USD 1.50 per visitor
• Ranger Tipping (unmandatory) 
• Mini Boat to Padar Island IDR 5,000 /person/way (price is varies depends on locals). Mini boats are used to step aside the beach due to our Boat is to big to. Other alternative to get to the beach is by swimming :D
• Mini Boat to Pink Beach IDR 10,000 /person/way
• Kanawa Island entrance fee : IDR 50,000 / USD 3.85 per person.
• Tipping for the boat's crew (unmandatory)

Thank you for reading! Hope you guys enjoying our story. I am still practicing to write in English, so if you have any advice or suggestion, tips or kind of please leave your comments and thoughts! Will be gladly to take them for better. 

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Cheers and keep traveling!

Michelle

September 12th, 2016