I Planned My Trip to Komodo and This Is What Happened?

Before I booked this trip, my friend and I had actually planned it for a long time. But as the departure day got closer, my friend suddenly couldn’t make it. Canceling felt like a waste, but going alone meant this would be my first solo trip ever. My feelings were all over the place—scared, awkward, and nervous. Still, my curiosity was much stronger.

Those fears slowly faded when I arrived at the meeting point. The staff welcomed me warmly, talked casually, and made the atmosphere feel relaxed. I realized I wouldn’t be completely alone—I would be sailing with around 30 other people, strangers at first, but they didn’t feel that way for long.

Once the boat started sailing and the land slowly disappeared, my nervousness turned into excitement. Our first stop was Kenawa Island. I thought it would just be a quick stop, but it turned out to be beautiful. That afternoon, we were treated to an amazing sunset—the sky slowly changing colors, blending with the blue sea. It was a calm and memorable way to start the journey.

After sailing away from Kenawa, I realized one important mistake: I forgot to bring seasickness medicine. The waves started to hit harder, my stomach didn’t feel right, and eventually I threw up. No drama—just a reminder that preparation matters.

The trip continued to Saleh Bay to see the whale sharks. At first, I hesitated to get into the water. But when that massive shadow appeared beneath the surface, all the discomfort disappeared. It was huge, calm, and absolutely breathtaking.

At Tambora Sea, we jumped off the boat. I was hesitant at first, but once I was in the water, it became addictive. The fresh sea, the open ocean—it made me want to jump in again.

Then came Padar Island. I thought the hike would be easy, but I was wrong. We had to climb nearly a thousand steps. I was out of breath, my legs were tired, but every time I stopped and looked back, the view made it all worth it. Reaching the top felt incredibly rewarding.

We also visited Pink Beach and Komodo National Park. Seeing a Komodo dragon in real life was different—big, calm, and naturally intimidating. It made you stay alert without even trying.

The journey ended at Manjarite Beach and Kelor Island, before finally arriving at Labuan Bajo around 2 PM.

This trip started with fear and a bit of seasickness, but it ended with stories I’ll never forget. Sometimes, the best journeys come from imperfect beginnings.