05 - A Taste of Flores Culture...

“To travel is to discover not only new places, but the stories, flavours and people that give them meaning.”

(A cute hut at Dapur Tara Flores)

Date: 04/09/2026 (Friday)
Activity: Dapur Tara Flores & Rumah Tenun
Hotel: Loccal Collection Hotel, Labuan Bajo

We started our morning with breakfast at Sangkar Lobster, a cliffside restaurant at Loccal Collection Hotel, beautifully perched overlooking the sea. The restaurant is known for its stunning vantage point and its speciality fresh seafood, particularly local lobster prepared with traditional Indonesian flavours.

(Breakfast with Indonesian flavours)

After breakfast, the rest of the morning was ours to enjoy at leisure. It was a slow and easy morning, giving us time to simply relax and take in our last moments in Labuan Bajo.

(Beautiful view from the upper floor of the hotel)

(A pool by the rooms)

(Mimpi Cafe - with a beautiful view)

(The cafe was quite crowded in the evening)

From farm-to-table meals at Dapur Tara Flores

Around noon, our ride arrived to take us out to Dapur Tara Flores, a lovely community-run farm-to-table sanctuary tucked away in Melo Village, about 17 kilometers outside Labuan Bajo. This place is so much more than somewhere you just stop to grab a bite - it’s all about slow living, ancestral heritage, and genuine local connections.

(Having lunch at Dapur Tara Flores)

(A welcome herbal drink for the guests)

(A taste of Flores delicacies)

(Vibrant coloured Flores dishes on my lunch plate)

Instead of putting on staged performances for tourists, they welcome you right into their daily rhythms with traditional cooking and communal meals. Everything on the table is made using seasonal ingredients fresh from their own organic gardens or grown by nearby families.

(A simple life of Flores people)

It was easily one of my favorite parts of the trip. Beyond the calm village views, we got to taste the real, authentic flavors of the land and get a warm, personal glimpse into how the local community lives and keeps their traditions alive.

Witnessing the traditional weaving practices of Manggarai 

On our return journey, we stopped at the Baku Peduli Center, a community-run cultural and weaving centre located about 10 km from Labuan Bajo. The centre plays an important role in preserving and promoting the traditional weaving heritage of Nusa Tenggara Timur, particularly the beautiful Manggarai songket weaving and natural-dyeing techniques. At the same time, it provides economic opportunities for local women and village artisans.

(A welcome scarf for each guest)

(A traditional technique of weaving)

The ladies in our group were delighted to have the opportunity to dress up in traditional costumes and, of course, there was plenty of photo-taking. It was a fun and colourful way to appreciate the artistry and cultural heritage of Flores.

(Trying out Manggarai tradional dress)

(Beautiful ladies in Manggarai traditional costumes)

(Absorbing the calm view of paddy field while having the afternoon  tea)

Before continuing with our evening programme, we returned to Masjid Nurul Falah Waemata for our prayers. Despite its modest size, the mosque can comfortably accommodate a regular congregation of more than 200 worshippers. Once again, it was comforting to have a place where we could pause, pray and reflect during our journey.

Our Last Sunset in Labuan Bajo

And then came our final sunset in Labuan Bajo.

We made our way to Amelia Sea View, a popular viewpoint offering a beautiful panorama of the sea and surrounding hills. The name is associated with Villa Amelia, a prominent nearby villa. The area is also close to other well-known viewpoints such as Cinta Hill and Sylvia Hill.

(The sun is setting fast at Amelia Hill)

(Scenic view of the ocean)

Interestingly, many of the scenic hills around this part of Labuan Bajo carry names associated with women or romantic themes. Compared with the much higher and more challenging Sylvia Hill, Amelia Hill is the easier climb - perfect for those of us who simply wanted to enjoy the view without too much exertion. As the sun slowly descended, painting the sky and sea with the warm colours of evening, we realised this would be our last sunset in Labuan Bajo. There was something especially poignant about watching the day come to an end.

A Final Dinner at La Moringa Resto

Our final dinner was at La Moringa, a restaurant built around what they describe as a “healthy hype” concept. The menu creatively incorporates locally harvested moringa and sorghum, combining wellness-inspired dishes with traditional Indonesian flavours. Moringa is a nutrient-rich plant that has long been used in traditional practices, and it was interesting to see how the restaurant incorporated it into its dishes in such creative ways.

(Mouth-watering dishes for hungry tummies)

The food was delicious, wholesome and filling - a fitting final dinner to conclude our Labuan Bajo Sailing Excursion.

Our Last Night in Labuan Bajo

On our final night in Labuan Bajo, we took one last opportunity to enjoy the view from the elevated vantage point of our hotel. Below us, the sea stretched into the darkness while the twinkling lights of the town slowly came alive. Around the hotel, Santorini-style lights illuminated the white cliffs, creating a romantic and wonderfully serene atmosphere.

(A serene night view of Labuan Bajo bay)

We stood there for a while, simply taking it all in. Tomorrow, we would be leaving Labuan Bajo. But tonight, we allowed ourselves to linger a little longer to savour the view, the quietness and the memories we had gathered over the past few days.

A cherished moment that we will keep in our hearts for a long time.