Journey to the Port: The Gateway to Komodo, Part 1

After spending two blissful nights on the picturesque island of Gili T, Per and I made our way to the dock to catch a ferry bound for the island of Lombok. The ferry, a small green boat surprisingly capable of accommodating numerous passengers, awaited us. Locals relaxed on the bow, their faces alight with joy, while a child giggled as water splashed over them, adding a playful charm to the journey.

Upon arriving at Lombok, we were instructed to follow a group of men who seemed to know the way. However, as the group dispersed, a wave of confusion set in, leaving us uncertain of whom to follow. Trusting our instincts, we chose one of the men and trailed behind him. He eventually led us to a white vehicle spacious enough to comfortably seat five people, marking the next phase of our adventure.

We rode in the car for a couple of hours until we reached another location where a large bus awaited us. At this stop, we were instructed to sign in and finalize the arrangements for the sailing trip we had booked. This included organizing the number of drinks we wanted to have brought on board for us. Once the logistics were handled, we were served a light breakfast consisting of fresh fruit, a croissant, and tea or coffee. As we enjoyed our meal, we eagerly awaited the next set of instructions that would guide us toward the start of our sailing adventure.

The Starting Point 

We waited at the bus stop for about an hour before finally being instructed to board. The bus was large and spacious, and I managed to snag a window seat right next to one of the doors. At first, it was surprisingly comfortable—my feet dangled over the stairs, which gave me plenty of room. The only downside to sitting next to the door was the fact that the door was not sealed very well so when it started raining, water aggressively started trickling down onto me. The views on the way to the sailboat were breathtaking. We passed through villages, towns, dense rainforests, rivers, and a few small rice paddies. Along the way, we made two stops. The first was to search for fins for the voyage. To our surprise, masks and snorkels were included in the trip, but fins were not. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a reasonably priced pair, so I decided to snorkel finless instead.

Our second stop was a quick break at a small shop to use the restroom and grab some snacks for the journey. The restroom situation was, to say the least, an eye-opener—it was my first time encountering a squat toilet. Standing there with my hands on my hips, I stared at the unfamiliar setup, trying to figure out how to use it. Next to the toilet was a large bucket of water with a ladle, which only added to my confusion. After a moment of hesitation, I pieced it all together and figured out how it worked. Though the experience was initially uncomfortable, it was something I’d grow accustomed to during my stay in Indonesia.

After about two hours on the bus, we finally arrived at the port. As we stepped off, the air was invigorating, carrying the crisp scent of salt water and rain. Locals quickly surrounded the bus, and men offered to carry our bags to the boat. We were directed toward our vessel but had to climb over the railings of another boat moored beside it to reach ours. Once there, we were helped aboard the boat that would take us to Komodo. We were shown to our room, a cozy private space with a large bed located near the kitchen. Though it was a bit cramped, I much preferred it over the dorm-style "room" upstairs, which offered only a few mats on the floor and no privacy.

Setting Sail 

Once everyone was safely onboard, it was time to depart. The crew untied the boat, and we slowly pulled away from the port. The water was calm and glassy, making for a smooth start to the journey. We stood around, socializing and getting to know one another. Before long, we were invited downstairs for an initial safety briefing and an overview of what to expect during the next four days onboard.  

The rest of the day was spent onboard, socializing, exploring the boat, and enjoying a delicious Indonesian dinner prepared by the talented chef. After such a long day of traveling, I decided to call it a night a bit earlier than usual.

Morning of the Whale Sharks 

A knock on the window and a quick shout—“WHALE SHARKS!”—rang through the morning air. Leaping out of bed, we scrambled to throw on our swimmers and jump into the water. There, two magnificent whale sharks glided gracefully around us, filter-feeding on plankton at the surface. Their blue-gray, spotted bodies moved in harmony with the ocean’s rhythm as we swam alongside them. 

These majestic creatures, the largest fish in the sea, exude a serene energy, their immense size a humbling reminder of nature's grandeur. You feel a rush of exhilaration and reverence as you swim alongside them, their gills rhythmically pulsing and their powerful tails propelling them forward with effortless grace. Their mouths, wide yet non-threatening, filter plankton from the water, a peaceful testament to their role in the ecosystem. The experience is not just visual but visceral—the muffled sound of your breath through a snorkel, the gentle push of the water against your body, and the occasional glint of sunlight catching the whale shark’s glistening skin. Time seems to slow, your senses heightened as you immerse yourself in this otherworldly moment, sharing the ocean with a creature that has roamed the planet for millions of years.

It was my first time seeing whale sharks, and the experience was unforgettable. Unlike other places around the world where whale shark encounters are crowded with hundreds of boats and tourists, this moment was intimate, involving only our small group. It made the experience all the more magical. 

We spent about 2 hours swimming and diving along side the whale sharks until the boat crew started calling us back onboard to move on. One of the best mornings I’ve ever had, its not every day you get to wake up in the morning and swim with whale sharks before 9am. 

Once we were on the boat the crew served us breakfast and then we were off again, heading to the next destination. 

New Horizons 

The rest of the day was pretty relaxed. It stayed sunny for most of the afternoon, but around 3 p.m., the sky opened up, and the rain began pouring. Everyone quickly retreated to their rooms or the main dining area to avoid getting drenched. We’d been traveling non-stop since our amazing whale shark encounter, and some of the crew, as well as other passengers, were starting to get restless. I, however, was perfectly content—sipping my cup of tea, lounging in my private quarters, and reviewing all the GoPro footage Per and I had filmed earlier that morning.

Due to the unease spreading among the passengers and crew, the captain decided to make a stop to break up the long journey. He called for everyone to jump into the water. The rain was still coming down hard, though.

Some of the braver passengers leaped from the top deck into the water below. I, however, did not. I have a deep fear of heights, and between the long drop from the top deck to the water and the downpour, my legs began to buckle as I peered over the slippery edge. I quickly backed away and opted to watch from the second deck instead. I want to say this activity lasted for maybe 30 minutes, I don’t think they kept it going for a whole hour but I could be wrong. It felt like it lasted much longer but that could have just been because I was getting pelted by the cold rain fighting with myself about wanting to get in the water but not wanting to jump off the top deck but also not wanting to look lame by taking the stairs to the water. 

The day ended with a yummy hot dinner, and a bit of socializing, but everyone was pretty tired from the early morning excitement and long voyage that the majority including myself decided to go to bed. 

Stay tuned for Part 2….