Labuan Bajo
on Really Out There Experience (Indonesia), 22/Apr/2010 10:02, 34 days ago
10– 14 April 2010 I took the slow ferry from Sape to Labuan Bajo– 8 hours. I had sinusitis so was not at my best and did not enjoy it as much as I would have done if I had been well. We were always within sight of land– mostly in the form of small islands. The family of one of the policeman I had drank with on my last night in Kupang own a hotel in Labuan Bajo and he invited me to stay there. The other policeman met me from the ferry but I had to wait a while for him to arrive and the local guides were all trying to lure me to their hotels or tours. I did a lot of walking in and around Labuan Bajo visiting local caves, viewing points and finding people to talk to. I also took a boat trip to Pulau Riung and island which as Komodo Dragons. I must admit I found then a little bit disappointing. As can be expected from lizards in the heat of the mid day they were all just lying about although I was lucky enough to see a couple wandering about. What disappointed me was their size– yes they are a lot bigger than any other lizards I have seen but I remember seeing a Blue Peter programme about them as a child and my recollection was of something about twice the size they actually are. My evenings were spent in the company of the two policeman, drinking at their home, in a restaurant and then in a karaoke bar. All very pleasant.