Meet komodo dragon!! Yeah, that was my dream, and finally come true when I got the chance to be official photographer for The  Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy. The journey started from international airport ngurah rai, which takes approx. 1,5 hours to Labuan bajo  airport. An Insider tips: Don’t sleep along the flight because you will see magnificent aerial view of cluster island from Lombok, gili island, sumbawa until komodo National park.

 

After we landed in the airport, our first agenda is to visit Tobodo village which was infamous with it’s unique wood  called petrified wood .Petrified wood is ancient tree that has transform to stone like substance due to fossilisation process for thousands of years. As I saw in Bali, they polish them and sell them for good money. But here at Tobodo people are not aware of the value of these ancient tree, that have turned into stone. They not even charge visitors with a donation in the guest-book yet. One villager has used a couple of petrified-woodblocks as foundation-stones for his house. Another has put one as ornament in his garden. I also saw some grassy fields on both sides of the road, with petrified wood blocks strewn all over the place – jutting up form the grass, half hidden in shrubs.

Our journey continues to goa batu cermin ( mirror rock ), but where is the mirror?? “I question to my self ”. but actually a Sunshine came through the hole in the tunnel and then bounces on the stone walls that reflect the light back out to other areas in the cave like a mirror. That is why this site is called mirror rock J. Afterward We going straight to the hotel to have some diner and take a rest,  because tomorrow morning we are going to meet komodo dragon!!!!

05.00 am, I was ready at the lobby hotel, can’t wait to see the king of lizard 😀 After all is set, then we charter a phinisi boat to rinca island as komodo island is to far for us( 5 hours ) cause still many schedule we have  to do. To be honest, trip to rinca island was beyond my expectation, it was so amazing!! The journey is passing through many small island with sunny morning atmosphere. We ‘re also very fortunate to see group of dolphin accompany us for awhile. After 2 hours journey, finally we arrive at rinca island. A teen komodo dragon has already welcoming us at the front gate. I’m so Excited!!! Komodo dragon is just 2 meters in front of my face!!! Wooww, bigger than what i imagined. And than after 30 minutes walking trails the island, again I’m very impress with the magnificent view from the top of the hill.

Finally, after take some photos, we going back to labuan bajo, bye Komodo!! see u again…… Ok, next agenda is komodo carnaval. Start from town Hall followed by hundred of people, they use traditional outfit. We travel around labuan bajo and finish at Pede Beach. Many performance were held on the stage, ohh so proud  to be an indonesian, rich in culture…..

Finally, it’s time to go back :(( To be honest it’s not enough just 3 days to explore the beauty of this island. Our flight at 02 pm, so still enough time to travel around, try the local food and buy some “0leh-oleh “. Lucky for us, morning sunlight was very colorful, so i can get the amazing picture from the top of the hill.

I promise will be back to this magnificent island!!