Postcards from Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Welcome back and hope you all have a great break after Lebaran Day.

For me, it's straight back to work at the Embassy and I even had a sudden assignment to Indonesia, supporting the 42nd ASEAN Summit at Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. 

Cheers from me and mini-me at ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting

I have to say I am totally blessed with this opportunity to see this amazing part of Indonesia while getting a rewarding experience of an international conference with the team from my office.

morning jog at Marina Komodo, Labuan Bajo. East Nusa Tenggara

This is not my first visit to East Nusa Tenggara province, as I have visited Kupang, the capital of the province, and Atambua, the city bordering with Timor-Leste, before. Nevertheless, I was so excited to come and visit Labuan Bajo, which is famously known for its spectacular landscapes, amazing underwater world, unique cultures and traditions, as well as friendly, warm-hearted people. I bet you have heard of Komodo, Pink Beach, Padar and Rinca Island, Manta point diving site, and more! Those are some of the amazing spots in Labuan Bajo.

one of the traditional boats near the marina

So, before I share more stories, let's enjoy some photos I took during my stay in Labuan Bajo.

Let's say, some postcards from Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

busy Marina at Labuan Bajo

Pink beach, babe...

morning jog at Labuan Bajo

dancing with the manta at Makassar Reef, Labuan Bajo

Pink beach in one fine afternoon

saying hi to one female Komodo at Komodo Island

taking picture with the Komodo from the safe distance

Nanti saya akan ceritakan keseruannya saat berada di Labuan Bajo dengan segala aktivitas dan tempat - tempat yang luar buasa untuk dikunjungi.

See you on the next post!

Diving trip to Green Stone and Kelagian Island Lampung

Diving trip to Green Stone and Kelagian Island Lampung

Is that a sea snake?

It was my second dive that day and together with my group as well as my diving buddy, we went down to Kelagian island, after enjoying our first dive in Green Stone area, near Tanjung Putus Lampung. We just had our photo session underwater when I saw that slithering move of sea snake. And boy, it was a big one! My buddy and I were looking at each other and we took the videos as well as the photos from safe distance. We were a bit afraid but we knew what we have to do when we saw sea snake and again, try to keep the safe distance.

the sea snake we encountered

And my friend, that's the last diving trip I had in Lampung before leaving to New Zealand.

***

It was a wonderful Saturday.

The sun was shining, although not too scorchingly hot. The wind was not that strong and we enjoyed the boat ride we took from Ketapang port heading to Green Stone. Ketapang port was packed with visitors. Looks like things are improving and tourism is starting to pick up the pace again. I was glad to see that people are wearing the masks all the time and safe distance is indeed maintain.

So we started the journey at 9 AM and we had our first dive at 11 A. It took around 1.5 hour ride to reach the first spot and we settled the equipments for a while. 

My first dive took around 74 minutes and what a dive! I really had so much time and feels like the ocean is smiling to me! We have great visibility, wonderful objects to enjoy, record and photo. 

great visibility indeed

We stopped by at Green Bay Resort, Tanjung Putus area for lunch. It was as beautiful as ever. We had Padangnese food but there, the owner, Ko Aling, who happens to be my diving buddy as well, welcomed us and offered us some seafood platters. Super yum indeed!

bon appetit

lunch break at Tanjung Putus Island

Then we headed to the second spot, Kelagian island, for the second dive. That's where we saw the snake.

On our way back home, we  finally enjoyed the famous sunset in Lampung Bay. It has been a wonderful day at Lampung and amazing diving trip as always. I can't wait to go back here again, although perhaps I will have to wait for quite some times. 

Thank you so much, Lampung

Stay fabulous, Lampung, and see you again soon.

WW: Enjoying sunrise at Pinggan Village, Kintamani, Bali

Enjoying sunrise at Pinggan Village, Kintamani, Bali

Love watching sunrise?

That makes the two of us then!

On my last trip to Bali, I managed to visit Kintamani, one of the mountainous and hilly parts of Bali, and spent a night there. We chased the sunrise at one of the famous spots in Kintamani called Pohon Cinta or the tree of love, located near Desa Pinggan or Pinggan Village. 

the view that morning

Here are some photos I took, together with some friends from Jakarta and Bali Local Guides. We took turn to take pictures one by one while enjoying the lovely sunrise and watching the village beautifully  engulfed by the mist.

I have to say I fell in love instantly and really hope I can go back here again. It is quite far from Nusa Dua, Bali, though. It took me around 4 hours drive to reach Kintamani. But for sure, it's worth it. And we woke up at 3.30, took the short drive to the spot, stopped for a while at the local mosque and continued the trip until we reached the place.

one misty morning

happy me :)

still misty morning indeed

Join us in (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party

WW: Taman Laut Olele, Gorontalo, Indonesia

welcome to  Taman Laut Okulele, Gorontalo, Indonesia

Hi everyone.

More photos and stories from my recent trip to Gorontalo, northern part of Sulawesi island, Indonesia.

On my second day of diving trip here, we were visiting Olele at Bonebolanga area. This place is famous for its underwater garden, Olele. One of the unique underwater plants we can find here is the typical, one-of-a-kind soft coral sponge famously called Salvador Dali because it looks like Dali's famous painting. Besides, its pristine walls and soft corals are intact, providing comfy homes for various school of fish and underwater creatures. 

We drove from Amaris Hotel Gorontalo, our hotel, to Olele, for around 1 hour. The road was curvy yet beautiful as you can see the Bone river and the gulf of Tomini. 

Here are some photos I took in the area and tell me whether you enjoy it as much as I do.

The famous Salvador Dali sponge in Taman Olele. 
Beautiful sponge, don't you think?

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party.

WW: The Beauty of Indonesia

sunset at Bandar Lampung, Indonesia

I know that August is almost coming to an end and I still want to celebrate this glorious month where we all celebrate Indonesia's Independence Day.

It has been my intention since I was young to go around Indonesia and witness its magnificent beauty from different provinces. 

on my way to Ambon, Maluku

So many to enjoy indeed, starting from its amazing landscape and natural wonders, incredible food and beverages deriving from its abundant and indigenous sources, wonderful handy crafts and art works, heart-warming and friendly people, intricate designs and vividly colorful fabrics, and astonishing cultures. And that's not all as you will have lovely surprises as you travel around the country.

Tenun Buna, hand made with love in East Nusa Tenggara

I know that the pandemic has restricted us from traveling around and exploring its divine beauty, but I take the liberty to take 'virtual tour' through my blog, external hard drives, social media platforms and more. 

One fine evening at Puncak Mas, Lampung

It has been quite entertaining and is considered satisfactory until we can actually go out again and travel without fear. How I long for that time.

Morning view of mountains across Jogjakarta and Central Java I saw on my first flight from Jogjakarta - Jakarta

  

Here are some photos I took along the way and some of them might have been published here, while others are not. 

The beauty of wayang and wooden craft, Solo, Central Java

I just realized that I was lucky enough to explore some parts of the country and I really hope I can travel more at later stage. Indonesia is huge and beautiful and for that, it will take sometimes to actually explore most part of it. 

wonderful sunset at Ambon Bay, Ambon, Maluku

My hubby and I, together with the kids, simply can't wait to plan and do the road trip again. Well, We did have the plan before but it all shattered thanks to COVID-19.

So now, let's enjoy the beauty of Indonesia.

Sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu, Central Java, with Borobodur Temple afar

Climbing up Mount Krakatau, holding the national flag

the famous Krakatau or Krakatoa Mountain

one fine day at Bunaken Islan, North Sulawesi

La Rascasse or the Lion Fish at Bunaken, North Sulawesi

On my way to Pahawang Island, Lampung

greeneries along the road in Bergen, South Lampung

Morning stroll at Purwakarta, West Java

Please fee free to check out the video I have shared in my YouTube channel about Indonesia as well. 

I prepared this one for the celebration of Indonesia's 76th Independence Day. Please take a look.

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party