Komodo National Park (1)
A Pearl from Flores

Labuan Bajo is a charming natural tourism site interesting and exciting. Beside being popular with the name Komodo National Park, this tourism attraction in West Flores Barat – Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) has a lot of potential with underwater and island panoramas making it one of the best destinations in the world. In 1991, UNESCO specified Komodo National Park as a World Nature Legacy. In order to realize the potency and beauty of Labuan Bajo and it surroundings, Bali Travel News Reporter, Apollo Daton, traveled together with the Educational Tour 20, Travel Agent Group using a Foker-27 belonging to Germania Trisila Air (GTAIR).

Taking off from Ngurah Rai Airport Denpasar at 11.50 am and arriving at Komodo Airport, Labuan Bajo on 13.30 am. The group’s arrival were welcomed with Takitu Dance (the traditional Labuan Bajo’s dance). Tuak (fermented drink made from coconut) and red chicken was served to the group, with all its specific meanings. “Tuak as the symbol of breeziness and mildness, whilst the red chicken is the symbol of manliness and the readiness of local villagers to serving the guest,” said Gabriel Bambo, the local guide who accompanied the Educational Tour Group for 2 days and 1 night in Labuan Bajo.
The name Labuan Bajo is more popular rather than in other towns in Flores, because Komodo National Park is famous in the world. Administratively, Labuan Bajo belongs to the territory of West Manggarai Regency with 2.947,50 Km2 of land and 7.025,97 Km2 of sea. There are 162 islands of which 84 are included within the Komodo National Park area. Interestingly from these 162 islands, 19 are still unoccupied.
Geographically, Komodo National Park is sited between two big islands which are Flores (NTT) and Sumbawa (NTB). Komodo National Park is about 173.300 ha wide with 40.728 ha of land. From the 84 islands in Komodo National Park, there are three big islands hedging this territory which are Komodo Island (33,937 ha), Rinca Island (19.627 ha) and Motang Island (2.017 ha). From these three islands, the name Komodo is more popular; because komodo (giant lizard) was predicted to only exist within this island.
In fact, according to Bali Travel News’s observation, this rare animal also exists on Rinca Island, Motang Island and Padar Islands. However, the most number of Komodo’s population exists in Komodo Island (2.100) and Rinca Island (1.680).
To reach these islands, you can use a motor-boat and speed-boat from Labuan Bajo harbor, which only take 3 - 4 hours to Komodo Island, and 2 hours to Rinca Island. “So, the nearest island from Labuan Bajo is Rinca Island,” said Leonardus, Product Coordinator Flores Discovery.
Along the road to Rinca, we were spoiled with various sea panoramas with hundreds of small islands spreading along the coastal border. There is also Bidadari (angel) Island, Monyet (monkey) Island, Pisang (banana) Island and other small islands named Bajo, Sekule, Bungut, Kelor and Kukusan all with their own unique story and history.
Rinca’s harbor is named Loh Buaya. This island, almost forgotten and unknown, because tourists are only familiar with Komodo Island. In fact in Loh Buaya, there are 50 types of Komodo. When buying the round trip ticket for Rp.20.000/person, or Rp.100.000 for those who bring cameras or handy-cams will also charged a local ranger fee of (Rp.10.000) as the tour guide, and as well the protector from Komodo’s attack.
Along the road from Loh Buaya towards the jungle, you will find various animals like partridges, monkeys, rare birds, and also buffalo and deer grassing on the dried savanna field also komodo’s nests, where it lays the eggs after the mating season (July-August), but we are unlucky, because our visit is not in season.
There are also rooms with plain facilities for the guests who stay and watch the komodo’s attraction at night. To attract the komodo, the local ranger usually uses raw flesh.(*)