“Some mornings are worth waking early for; some views stay with you forever...”
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| (Watching the sunset at Golo Mori) |
Date: 03/09/2026 (Thursday)
Activity: Sailing Day 03 and Labuan Bajo Tour
Destination: Sebayur Island, Batu Cermin Cave and Golo Mori
Hotel: Loccal Collection Hotel
Breakfast on board was a simple but comforting affair, toast and pancakes with strawberry and blueberry jam, enjoyed in the cosy dining room. The layout was thoughtfully designed for both comfort and relaxation. I was glad to see that everyone seemed a little more cheerful this morning.
A Morning Swim With The Turtles
This morning, it was time to go turtle spotting at Pulau Sebayur. The marine life around Pulau Sebayur is exceptionally vibrant. Even beginners can enjoy the calm, shallow waters of Sebayur Besar, where sea turtles and colourful fish can often be spotted swimming among beautiful coral formations. It was a wonderful way to spend our last morning at sea.
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| (Time for turtle spotting) |
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| (A massive school of fish crossing our path) |
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| (Where are the turtles?) |
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| (Spotting a shark far away) |
The End Of Our Sailing Adventure
Our final lunch on board the liveaboard phinisi marked the end of our sailing adventure. We stopped near the waters of Pulau Pasir Putih, about an hour's sail from Labuan Bajo. After lunch, it was time to say goodbye to our friendly phinisi crew. We would certainly miss their warm hospitality, attentive service and, of course, the delicious food they had prepared for us throughout the journey.
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| (Early for lunch, as usual) |
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| (One last photo on the phinisi) |
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| (Sailing back to the Marina in Labuan Bajo) |
Back on Solid Ground & Another Caving Expedition
As we arrived back at Labuan Bajo Marina, it was quite a relief to be back on solid ground! Our driver was waiting for us, and we drove about 5 km to Gua Batu Cermin, or Mirror Stone Cave, a fascinating natural limestone cave system and archaeological site.
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| (A brief detour on the way to Batu Cermin Cave) |
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| (Umbrella Rock, a unique rock formation) |
Originally submerged beneath the sea thousands of years ago, the cave is known for its ancient marine fossils and its unusual play of light. The name Batu Cermin, meaning "Mirror Stone", comes from the way sunlight filters through a small opening in the cave's roof and reflects off the smooth, salt-encrusted limestone walls. At the right angle, the reflected light creates a beautiful shimmering effect, almost like a natural mirror.
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| (The entrance of Batu Cermin Cave) |
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| (Hiking and caving enthusiasts - ready to explore) |
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| (The start of the crawl into a smaller cave) |
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| (A much needed rest before exiting) |
Unfortunately, parts of the cave were closed to visitors due to the recent earthquakes, so we were unable to explore the entire cave system.
A Stop For Prayers at a Local Mosque
On our way back to Labuan Bajo, we stopped to perform our prayers at Masjid Nurul Falah Waemata.
The mosque serves as an important place of worship for the local Muslim community and also welcomes Muslim travellers visiting the Waemata area. It was a peaceful stop before we continued our our journey south.
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| (Nurul Falah Waemata Mosque) |
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| (The spacious main prayer room) |
Breathtaking Vantage point at Golo Mori
Our destination was Nuka Beach Club, a scenic beachfront spot in Golo Mori. Its striking bamboo architecture, dramatic cliffside setting and expansive ocean views make it a beautiful place to unwind. We settled in to enjoy the peaceful surroundings and watched the sun slowly sink towards the horizon. As evening descended, we tucked into a tasty barbecue dinner, a fitting way to end our final day in Labuan Bajo.
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| (Nuka Beach Club) |
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| (A good spread of bbq meat and seafood) |
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| (Sunset dinner with a nice ambiance) |
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| (Time to head back to Labuan Bajo) |
A good night rest in Santorini
Tonight, we checked in to the Loccal Collection Hotel, a popular hillside property overlooking Labuan Bajo harbour. The hotel immediately caught my eye with its distinctive white-and-blue architecture, inspired by the Mediterranean aesthetic of Santorini, Greece. Perched on the hillside, it also offers sweeping views of the harbour and beautiful sunsets.
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| (Our lodging for two nights) |
After several days of early mornings, boat rides, island excursions and endless sightseeing, it had been another full and memorable day. But our Labuan Bajo adventure was not over yet. We still had another two days ahead before our flight home to Kuala Lumpur.
For tonight, though, I was more than ready for some much-needed rest. Tonight, I didn't need any lullaby. I dozed off almost immediately the moment my head touched the pillow.
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