01 - The Journey Begins...

“Every journey begins with a single step, but the best ones begin with a little anticipation.”

(My first glimpse of Labuan Bajo harbour)

Date: 31/08/2026 (Monday)
Flight AK310: KUL - LBJ
Hotel: Meruorah Komodo Hotel, Labuan Bajo

Today was Malaysian Independence Day.

At 4.30 am, we quietly loaded all our bags into our Hilux pickup and drove to KLIA Airport in the stillness of the early morning. We parked at the Long-Term Car Park, which we had booked online earlier.

At KLIA2, our group of nine gathered for an early check-in. During the introductions, I could sense a certain tension in the group. There were worried faces and a little uncertainty about what lay ahead, especially in the aftermath of the recent major earthquakes. None of us really knew what to expect from the trip.

 

(Waiting for another member from Singapore)

(Ready to board the plane)

Our AirAsia flight, AK310, departed on time. After a four-hour flight, we landed safely at Komodo International Airport in Labuan Bajo, the modern gateway to this beautiful corner of Indonesia and the famous Komodo National Park. Conveniently located just about 2 km from the town centre and main harbour, the airport makes the transition from flight to hotel or speedboat remarkably easy.

(Komodo International Airport)

(Arrived safely in Labuan Bajo)

Airport clearance was smooth, and we were met by Rafi, our cameraman-cum-tour guide, who would be accompanying us throughout the trip. From the airport, we headed towards our hotel in Labuan Bajo.

Before checking in, we made our first stop at Puncak Waringin Viewpoint, one of the most accessible elevated viewpoints in the heart of Labuan Bajo. From here, we had a spectacular panoramic view of the harbour, the traditional Phinisi boats and the surrounding tropical islands of Komodo National Park. The calm blue waters of the bay, dotted with boats and islands, were a beautiful welcome to Labuan Bajo. For a while, at least, the worries in our hearts seemed to drift away with the gentle sea breeze.

 

(Panoramic view from Puncak Waringin Viewpoint)

We checked in at Meruorah Komodo Hotel. The hotel has been thoughtfully designed with clean, understated aesthetics that complement rather than compete with the natural beauty outside. Our Horizon Sea View room was comfortable and welcoming, and we enjoyed a tastefully prepared Indonesian packed lunch there.

(The Labuan Bajo Marina in the background)

(Our spacious room in Meruorah Hotel)

The lunch arrived in a traditional woven bamboo basket - a simple yet charming touch that gave the meal an eco-friendly and distinctly Indonesian character. It felt like a warm welcome to our first day in Labuan Bajo.

(Having packed lunch at the balcony, overlooking the harbour)

Our First Sunset in Labuan Bajo

Our original itinerary was to watch the sunset from the hotel rooftop. Instead, plans changed and we headed out for a sunset dinner at Taman Laut Handayani Seafood Restaurant, just a short drive from the hotel.

 

(The sun is setting over the horizon)

Perched near Puncak Waringin, the restaurant offered a lovely uninterrupted view of Labuan Bajo harbour, the Phinisi boats and the surrounding sea. As the sun slowly descended, we settled down to dinner and enjoyed a spread of Indonesian dishes. Among them, the signature grilled fish served with Indonesian sambal was a particular favourite of ours.

(Absorbing the view from the restaurant's upper floor)

(Sunset dinner at Taman Laut Handayani)

After dinner, we walked back towards the hotel, passing through Wisata Kuliner Kampung Ujung, the lively open-air waterfront food market of Labuan Bajo.

Located right beside the harbour, the market comes alive in the evening as local vendors set up rows of stalls displaying the day's fresh catch. The colourful seafood, bustling atmosphere and variety of fresh juices made it an interesting glimpse into the local evening scene.

(Vibrant coloured fish at the market)

Back at Meruorah Komodo Hotel, we spent some quiet time looking out at the marina. The lights reflected beautifully on the water, illuminating the traditional Phinisi boats and smaller local vessels. Their reflections shimmered like a mirror beneath the night sky. 

Lingering worries aside, it was a beautiful and memorable ending to our first day in Labuan Bajo.

(A fleet of phinisis anchoring for the night)

 
And there was something particularly special about this trip. We were here to celebrate our 47th wedding anniversary, in a place neither of us had visited before, surrounded by new friends, beautiful islands and the promise of adventures yet to come. For now, we were simply grateful to have arrived safely.