I have been eager to explore the more adventurous and remote areas of Indonesia since moving here almost four years ago. However, with two small children, this could also mean a lot more work than fun. Now that our youngest is three I decided to talk my husband into a trip off the beaten path, and so off we went to Flores and Komodo Islands.

I researched the trip by talking to friends and reading Tripadvisor. The flight to Flores (Labuan Bajo) requires a stop in Bali. We decided to book with Air Asia to Bali and then with Trans Nusa to Flores. The Trans Nusa plane (it appears that Trans Nusa is actually an umbrella company for a few different small airlines) was a prop plane but it was still a very comfortable and safe flight. The scenery below us was stunning and made me so happy that we had decided to take the trip!

While in Labuan Bajo we stayed at the Ecolodge Hotel which is located a few kilometers outside of town. Most of the nicer hotels are found in the same area (to the south of town along the beach). I booked far in advance and was able to secure the only two room family cottage they have. The family cottage was the best thing about our stay at the Ecolodge – it was very spacious and clean and perfect for a family. The Ecolodge has four hotels throughout Indonesia. Unfortunately I have mixed reviews of the hotel and have reservations about recommending it due to their poor communication abilities, organization and management. However, the garden was very nice, the hotel was very clean and the family cottage was great.

The morning after arriving into Labuan Bajo we were picked up by a tour operator named Jeffrey, who we had located through Tripadvisor, for our two-day, one-night boat trip. He took us to the harbor to our boat and introduced us to our three-person crew. The boat consisted of a front covered deck with large table and benches and two lounge chairs, a small sleeping cabin, a toilet with pseudo-shower, a kitchen, a small back deck for the crew, and a roof top deck. The boat was very clean and a good size for a two-day trip and the boys loved exploring the space. We were nervous about having a three-year old on the boat who couldn’t swim, and so for the two days at sea we were always very conscientious of his whereabouts. However, the boat had a good rail, and with five adults and one six year old brother to keep track of him it turned out to be more relaxing than we thought it would be.

Our first stop was about 30 minutes from the harbor to a lovely little island called Bidadari Island. The boat pulled up to the beach and we grabbed our snorkel gear and flotation vests for the kids and headed out. The beach was perfectly clean and tranquil and the water a vibrant turquoise blue. Our three year old had a great time playing on the beach and in the water, while we took turns snorkeling with our six year old. He has been practicing in our pool in Jakarta so he was ready to go. We all loved it and the coral and the fish were beautiful. It was a perfect way to start our trip.

In the late afternoon we anchored off a small island (Kalong Island) next to Komodo Island where we would spend the night. It rained that evening which cooled the temperatures down, but unfortunately it didn’t keep our little cabin cool all night. It was a lousy night spent in a hot room squished into beds with the kids and some curious bugs. We dragged ourselves out of bed at the break of dawn, grateful that the night was over and to be awoken by a magnificent sunrise.

In the early morning after breakfast we cruised a short distance to the national park on Komodo Island. Once again escorted by a guide, we all found the hike much more enjoyable than on Rinca due to the cooler temperatures and more diverse wildlife. In addition to the two Komodo dragons we saw during our trek (plus the four or so we saw near the café), we also saw several deer, cockatoos, and a huge spider. The terrain was more diverse and we were afforded a lovely view of the bay.

From the park we traveled a short distance to the Pink Beach, which is also on Komodo Island. The boat anchored off shore and we asked a man with a canoe to give my husband and kids a ride to the beach. While they marveled at the pink hued beach (caused by broken red coral flakes) I went snorkeling and was amazed by the vibrantly colored fish and beautiful coral on the seabed - it was the best snorkeling I have ever done. Our journey back to Flores was very relaxing and picturesque – sparkling blue waters dotted with islands every which way. All in all the boat trip was a great success, and one that I would recommend to almost anyone.