Flores
Flores has been on my bucket list for quite sometime, my best friend Lee and I have been planning this trip since 2015 but we both were studying overseas I was in Australia and she was in law school in the USA and finally in 2017 we both were back in our home island and this time we are not planning it anymore, we actually go.
Flores is located in the east side of Indonesia with the population was 1,831,000 in the 2010 census and the largest town is Maumere and back in the days Portuguese is the first foreign nation that arrived in Flores and that is why the island called Flores which mean flower in Portuguese.
Lee and I decided this trip would be tricky to arrange by ourself since we would like to do the sailing trip and we do not want to stuck in a dodgy boat and risk our safety in this trip so we chose Travass Life ( http://travass.life/ ) to accommodate this trip and it was one of the best decision that we made since we made a bunch of new friends along the way.
Another overdue travel blog is finally done and here is my trip of a lifetime which I hope for people that haven't see another side of Indonesia can see the beauty of my country despite all the assumption about this beautiful diverse country.
Labuan Bajo
Arrived at Labuan Bajo we straight away checked ourself in to our accommodation at Selini on the Hills before we start our sailing trip in the next morning, this place has a view of the port as well of the city however its located close to the mosque, some of you might not know but they have a reminder to pray with a massive speaker 5 times a day even though the noise is quite loud they have the best view of Labuan Bajo and also you can see the sunset when the skies burning like nowhere else just from your balcony.
Selini on The Hills
View our lovely boat.
Kelor Island
Kelor Island
We flew from Bali to Labuan Bajo which is not a rocket science thing to find the flight, I used traveloka.com to find the flight and even though Garuda Indonesia is the best airline in Indonesia we decided to flew with NAM Air since the plane is a Boeing and Garuda has smaller plane which it took longer and also more expensive than NAM Air, so we booked our flight return around USD 100.
Before we landed in Labuan Bajo we are so excited because we can see the island from above already and it looked horrendously amazing, the other thing need that you need to expect when you land in Labuan Bajo is the runway, because it is quite short and you will definitely feel the whole small island experience but all is safe and you will forget about it once you land because even at the airport the scenery already make you feel like you are in a Jurassic Park movie scene.
Kelor Island view
We took off from the harbour and we already seen how clear the water is and if you afraid of sailing, Flores is the best time for you to sail because the water is calm. At first I was freaking out imagining spend 3 days and 2 nights sailing on the boat since I'm petty much sea sick, road sick all the bad travel sickness that you can imagine I have it all but with Flores sea it is one of the most calm open water I have ever sailed on.
Not only excited about the sailing trip to begin but we also thrilled with our boat! It was clean, the cabin has the air conditioning, cool decks for you to see the sunset, the crew was really helpful and the best part is the food!!! They served us 3 meals in a day so if you decide to choose Travass Life you do not need to worry about the food you just need to bring snacks, toiletries and any other personal needs, well for us it was beers!!
Not only excited about the sailing trip to begin but we also thrilled with our boat! It was clean, the cabin has the air conditioning, cool decks for you to see the sunset, the crew was really helpful and the best part is the food!!! They served us 3 meals in a day so if you decide to choose Travass Life you do not need to worry about the food you just need to bring snacks, toiletries and any other personal needs, well for us it was beers!!
Our first day we went to Kelor Island which have one of the most exciting and mesmerising view I have ever seen in my life, you will see a lot of people on the same trip try to climb this hills to have this shot but it is definitely worth it.
My first tips if you planning going to Flores is to bring a proper trekking shoes or at least a running shoes that can grip the ground properly because you will do a lot of trekking and hiking during the sailing trip and this are not an easy one.
Padar Island
Rinca Island
I think after hiked in Kelor Island any other hiked seems easier or maybe I wasn't actually that fit to experience all the hiking moments, the temperature is higher than Bali even at 10 AM it feels like the sun is up on top of your head and it is making the hiking much harder but then again what a view!!
The hike in the morning and temperature feels like 12pm!!
Rinca Island
If you are a fan of reptiles Rinca Island will be your dream destination because it is the home of Komodo Dragon which you can find in this island and also in all across other island in Flores such as Gili Motang, and Padar Island, this incredible reptile is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) and thanks to Rowan adding anxiety to my Herpetophobia this reptile can do swim in the ocean.
The first thing that I noticed from this island is the vibe because I feel like the Komodo Dragon will jump out from the bush and will attack me, well that is just me but then I saw a deer in peace eating grass wonder how they still be in the same island with this massive reptiles!
The first thing that you have to do before coming is here to do the research about what these creatures can do and also always stroll around with the ranger never ever going there alone and think you can wander around in the island without one, once again this is not a pet so never taken this reptile lightly.
With Rinca Island they have specific time when you can walk around and see the Komodo Dragon, never ever walk in the morning because it is the time for them to have breakfast. Do not be their breakfast.
Gusung Island
This is one of my favourite from the whole trip!! Gusung Island one a spread only have a spread of pink sand beach in the middle of nowhere with a crystal clear blue water.
I have never been excited to jump off from the boat, the blue water is so inviting and there is literally no one around!!!
When people talked about how beautiful Maldives is or Bora Bora all I can think of, why would I go there if there is thousand of islands in Indonesia archipelago that is so much more than those destination. I kept thinking every single day, which island is on my bucket list, it used to be abroad somewhere far but these days I prefer somewhere secluded, untouched and raw even Flores wasn't about it all since it becomes one of the must do destination now but Flores still have so many untouched places that need to be explore.
Gili Lawa
I have a bad bad memories, I forgot people's name easily and as well with time but I always remember moments. Gili Lawa has been my favourite hiked in Flores, despite the facts that Padar and Kelor Island throw the most instagrammable images, Gili Lawa offer you the view that is surreal, filled with savannah, beautiful hills and view on the sunrise catch my heart any time of the days.
We hiked at 5 AM to catch the sunrise by far it was easiest hiked that I did, started with a steep hiked for 15 minutes it's continued with hills full of flowers and savannah along the way, was pitch dark when we went up but once we are going down more and more this island left me speechless.
Lee and I have been friend since we were 11 years old, we lost contact for so long, reunited and since then she has been one of my very best friend that no matter what we are going through we will always have each other back and with her on the trip make Flores close to my heart even more.
You will have this hills views and amazing landscape when you going down after watching the sunrise, just looking at this picture I know for an instant Flores is the happy place and a trip of a lifetime for me.
I miss you all and hopefully in the future we can do a reunion trip somewhere exploring another island in Indonesia.
Underwater
When you do the sailing trip like me I suggest to take a lot of sunscreen and most importantly the one that environmentally friendly, it is making me sad that knowing I did not do this because it is unfortunately harming the ecosystem, so please do bring a good sunscreen to protect your skin and also protect the beautiful sea life.
I hardly remember where is this picture taken and who took it but 5 to 10 metres away from this beautiful water was filled with rubbish, plastics, everywhere. This is the most pathetic thing that traveler can possibly do, it is upset me so much to see this beautiful place filled with plastic.
Me and others in the trip started to dive in and picked up few plastic that lay around on the bottom of the sea and at the same time you can see all the beautiful fish swim around it, it is just sad.
I know Indonesia is so bad with waste management but why for traveler to see and enjoy the untouched place like this have a heart to trash it like this.
You can see how clear the water is just by this GoPro shot and I'm begging if any of you thinking to visit Flores take care of this place like you take care of your own house, nature is forever will be your playground I can't imagine telling my future kids that there used to be a beautiful ocean in Flores, I want my kids and my grandkids and the next generation to see and experience Flores like I did.
Take care of nature, it is never failed you.
Sunset
Live in Bali most of my life I thought I will never see any more skies that burning beautifully on sunset time, that was until I came to Flores.
Each day the sky pulled out a show, no matter what side you are in the colour of the sky always vibrant, bright and it will be something you never forget, it is glorious.
Sunset when we took off from Padar Island
If you are a fan of reptiles Rinca Island will be your dream destination because it is the home of Komodo Dragon which you can find in this island and also in all across other island in Flores such as Gili Motang, and Padar Island, this incredible reptile is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of 3 metres (10 ft) and thanks to Rowan adding anxiety to my Herpetophobia this reptile can do swim in the ocean.
The first thing that I noticed from this island is the vibe because I feel like the Komodo Dragon will jump out from the bush and will attack me, well that is just me but then I saw a deer in peace eating grass wonder how they still be in the same island with this massive reptiles!
The first thing that you have to do before coming is here to do the research about what these creatures can do and also always stroll around with the ranger never ever going there alone and think you can wander around in the island without one, once again this is not a pet so never taken this reptile lightly.
With Rinca Island they have specific time when you can walk around and see the Komodo Dragon, never ever walk in the morning because it is the time for them to have breakfast. Do not be their breakfast.
Gusung Island
This is one of my favourite from the whole trip!! Gusung Island one a spread only have a spread of pink sand beach in the middle of nowhere with a crystal clear blue water.
I have never been excited to jump off from the boat, the blue water is so inviting and there is literally no one around!!!
When people talked about how beautiful Maldives is or Bora Bora all I can think of, why would I go there if there is thousand of islands in Indonesia archipelago that is so much more than those destination. I kept thinking every single day, which island is on my bucket list, it used to be abroad somewhere far but these days I prefer somewhere secluded, untouched and raw even Flores wasn't about it all since it becomes one of the must do destination now but Flores still have so many untouched places that need to be explore.
The crew chilling in Gusung Island when no ones is around except us.
Me contemplating life and thinking I can live here at this moment forever.
Gili Lawa
I have a bad bad memories, I forgot people's name easily and as well with time but I always remember moments. Gili Lawa has been my favourite hiked in Flores, despite the facts that Padar and Kelor Island throw the most instagrammable images, Gili Lawa offer you the view that is surreal, filled with savannah, beautiful hills and view on the sunrise catch my heart any time of the days.
Sunrise at Gili Lawa
We hiked at 5 AM to catch the sunrise by far it was easiest hiked that I did, started with a steep hiked for 15 minutes it's continued with hills full of flowers and savannah along the way, was pitch dark when we went up but once we are going down more and more this island left me speechless.
Lee and I waiting for the sunrise
Lee and I have been friend since we were 11 years old, we lost contact for so long, reunited and since then she has been one of my very best friend that no matter what we are going through we will always have each other back and with her on the trip make Flores close to my heart even more.
You will have this hills views and amazing landscape when you going down after watching the sunrise, just looking at this picture I know for an instant Flores is the happy place and a trip of a lifetime for me.
The Crew
I'm very lucky that each trip that I had always surrounded with great, amazing people! I had my best friend Lee and Rowan from Australia came with me but we also met Dita, Frida,Vincent and Grace in this trip!
Rowan, Frida, Me, mas Akbar (Our coolest tour guide), Grace, Dita, Vincent and Lee
I miss you all and hopefully in the future we can do a reunion trip somewhere exploring another island in Indonesia.
Underwater
When you do the sailing trip like me I suggest to take a lot of sunscreen and most importantly the one that environmentally friendly, it is making me sad that knowing I did not do this because it is unfortunately harming the ecosystem, so please do bring a good sunscreen to protect your skin and also protect the beautiful sea life.
I hardly remember where is this picture taken and who took it but 5 to 10 metres away from this beautiful water was filled with rubbish, plastics, everywhere. This is the most pathetic thing that traveler can possibly do, it is upset me so much to see this beautiful place filled with plastic.
Me and others in the trip started to dive in and picked up few plastic that lay around on the bottom of the sea and at the same time you can see all the beautiful fish swim around it, it is just sad.
I know Indonesia is so bad with waste management but why for traveler to see and enjoy the untouched place like this have a heart to trash it like this.
You can see how clear the water is just by this GoPro shot and I'm begging if any of you thinking to visit Flores take care of this place like you take care of your own house, nature is forever will be your playground I can't imagine telling my future kids that there used to be a beautiful ocean in Flores, I want my kids and my grandkids and the next generation to see and experience Flores like I did.
Take care of nature, it is never failed you.
Sunset
Live in Bali most of my life I thought I will never see any more skies that burning beautifully on sunset time, that was until I came to Flores.
Each day the sky pulled out a show, no matter what side you are in the colour of the sky always vibrant, bright and it will be something you never forget, it is glorious.
Top deck view from our boat
Sunset view from Gili Lawa where we parked the boat over night.
I'm finishing this blog while my nose is blocked catching the flu and everyday I wish I can pack my bag visit Flores again. There are so many images that I did not put in this post, from GoPro blurry shot when I snorkel in Manta Point to visited Pink Beach disappointed because it was packed with people and their silly floaties and the sand was not as pink as it used to because some ignorant people took the sand and bring it home as a souvenir which I'm begging you DO NOT EVER DO THIS.
I know Indonesia image in the eye of the world is not always positive but if you love nature and exploring as much as I do please come to visit this beautiful country of mine, there are more to see than just Bali and Gili Island, we have 13,466 islands and beautiful diverse ethnicity so please come visit Indonesia and share it to the world.
If you are planning to visit Flores hopefully this blog give you some tips that you needed and for you that haven't put this island on your travel list, better put it down now!!!
Love
Vega
