Ups, I went there again - Labuan Bajo

On my way from Nusa Lembongan to Labuan Bajo, Flores I had to do a stopover in Kuta in Bali (and yes, I still dosn't like Kuta). But I loved my hotel there this time, Rama Beach resort and villas. I had a normall check in time there at 14:00, but I arrived at the hotel around 10:00 with a small hope that they would let me check in a bit early, or just go and stay by the pool and wait till they got my room ready. The people at the reseption was the loveliest hotel people I have ever met, and the manager on duty gave me the offer for an early check in and a upgrade to a villa (bigger than my appartment home) for less than 20 US$/250 000 rupea, so I took it. Now I must say, on Lembongan I payed 200 000 rupea the night, and that sort of say that I upgraded a lot from Lembongan on Bali. The room, or the villa was great. Big flatscreen tv, free movies, bathtube, big comfy bed +++ And I had my best sleep so far on my vacation. Loved it, but could never afford to pay this much per night for accomodation. For one night, totally worth it!

The flight to Labuan Bajo went without any problems, I got picked up at the airport of the driver from Golo Hilltop, and taken to the door where I was welcomed back as a dear guest I must say. Should be, it is my 4th visit in 4 years. Got my villa, different quality than last night, but very good indeed. Hot water AC, the best view in Labuan Bajo, swimming pool that have better veiw than the infinity pool in Singapoor, it is a great hotel, even if it has only 1 star.
After my check in at Golo Hilltop, I got my self a scooter, rental, and went straight downtown to DiveKomodo to book my diving for my time on land in Labuan Bajo. I am saying on land, since I have my first stay on land, or at least will I be sleeping on land. But since Labuan Bajo, or really Komodo National Park is my favorite diving ground, and the reason that I am here once againn is the amazing diving out here. I got a surpriced look when I walked true the door at the dive shop as well, with a "are you here again?". They had space on the boat, and I got to do the paperwork and try on my eqvipment for this day. I sign on for 3 days for sure, and a 4th day as maybe, and the 4th day became for sure the day after, when it turned out that they will go north on that day. Longer travel and more challenging dives, or it can be. As it turned out the next day, they had to much space on the boat, one other diver the first dive, only me on the 2nd and 3rd day, which ment that I got tranfered over to the boat of Bajo dive, and I had 2 good days out with them too. Great that they organise the diveday for me, as they just as well could have said sorry, you can not go diving today. Good service I call that, and I stil get my discount and are paying for all my dives at Dive Komodo as I was suppose too.

All together I get 8 dives with Dive Komodo and Bajo Diving. I get what I am coming back for, good reefs with amazing corals, lots of fish, close encounter with the manta rays, some nice driftdives and just good days out on the ocean with nice people.
Diving day dives in Komodo out from Labuan Bajo is a full day work. Even with only 2 dives a day, it is an 8 hour day. Getting up at 6:15, breakfast and some internett, meet up at 7:20 and on the way out on the boat around 7:45 to be back in town between 15:00 and 16:00. Totally worth it.

What isn't good this year, is that the Indonesian goverment have increased the national park fee a lot. It used to cost 95 000 idr for 3 days of diving, and now it is 175 000 idr for 1 day, ther one that is good in % can figure out the increase. To much, and not any discount if you do more days, it is a shame. An increase is ok, but this is to much.
Saturday, was my last day of day diving here in Komodo, but is was not the end of my diving here.This was just a warm up I would say. Today, Sunday, I have a day of resting, and it have been totall resting. I have not done anything but reading by the pool, just had short trip downtown for some food. I have felt tired, and I guess it is ok with day of doing nothing, I got a vacation after all.

Catching up with old friends. :-)

Monday March 16th will I be going out for a Liveaboard dive safari untill March 22nd with Current Junkies. Small boat, 4 divers, all of us instructors. Guess that I am the one with "lessest" experience, will find out. Looking forward to it, think it will be fun.

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