Indonesia > The Runway is Blocked

I was already awake at half past five, half an hour before the alarm went off. I had forgotten to put my phone on ‘do not disturb’ last night. Throughout the night, numerous messages from the Netherlands came in. Still, I slept well. Most of the messages weren’t important. I quickly take a shower and pack my luggage again. At breakfast, the choices are limited. We are still too early for the full buffet. Just as I’ve grabbed some toast with jam, a plate of nasi goreng arrives. This has been prepared for everyone. I combine the fried egg from the nasi with my toast. At quarter past seven, we leave the hotel and drive to the airport. Today we’re flying to Ende on the island of Flores. The flight is in two parts. The first flight is from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, which is on the western tip of Flores. From there, we will fly later today to Ende, further east on the island. We arrive at the airport well in advance of the flight. I order a coffee. I didn’t like the coffee at the hotel this morning very much. At quarter past nine, boarding begins. We take the bus to the Batik Air plane. While everyone is seated on the plane, the departure time passes. The pilot announces that it’s busy with departing flights at this time and that we can’t leave yet. He expects a delay of about 25 minutes. I wait patiently. After half an hour, the announcement comes that another plane is blocking the runway and that it will be at least two more hours before we can depart. Everyone disembarks again and is taken back to the departure hall. This serious delay means we will miss our connection in Labuan Bajo. What now? Anton isn’t worried yet. Maybe the plane to Ende will wait for us, he says hopefully. The announcement system keeps reporting various delayed flights. Our flight is postponed again. The new estimate is two hours. At the counter, we can get some drinks and snacks. Around one o’clock, quite unexpectedly, boarding begins for our flight. I quickly get on the bus again to the plane. The crew says “Welcome again” when we board. With a four-hour delay, the plane finally takes off from Denpasar. I’m sitting by the aisle but can see a small part of Bali through the windows. The crew just manages to serve water and a sandwich during the flight. Immediately after, the descent begins. When disembarking, someone is waiting by the jet bridge with our printed boarding passes for the flight to Ende. Does this mean our flight hasn’t left yet? Did they wait for us? We are led to the waiting area. It turns out the plane had technical problems earlier today and is still grounded. The passengers who had already boarded come off the plane again. After about an hour of waiting, we are told the flight will not be operated today at all. It has been postponed until tomorrow morning. The airport staff have arranged a hotel in Labuan Bajo. A car arrives. It fits four people including luggage. We are taken to the hotel in several shifts. When we arrive at the hotel, it’s raining heavily. Water is pounding on the awning and flowing across the road. Some children are playing in the steaming water. It’s probably a short heavy shower and will dry quickly. The hotel looks simple but sufficient for a night. Some travel companions have rooms that don’t seem entirely clean.

Indonesia - A heavy rain shower at the hotel in Labuan Bajo

That’s more unpleasant. Meanwhile, Anton, the Stickman, is busy arranging things because of the changed schedule. We can’t stay at the original eco-lodge tomorrow, where we were supposed to arrive today. They already have other guests. Instead, we will stay in Ende. This way, we can still climb the volcano, but with slightly less time. A German couple has been stuck in Labuan Bajo for two days. They’re happy that Anton is also arranging some things for them at the hotel. In the evening, they join our group for dinner. We are driven by a minibus and a car to a restaurant. I choose a local dish with spicy fish and rice. It tastes good but is quite spicy. I wash it down with beer. Afterwards, we decide to split the bill. We each pay eight euros, including drinks. In my room, I prepare for tomorrow. Hopefully, the flight will go ahead at ten o’clock. Directly from the airport in Ende, we will drive to the Kelimutu volcano. For this reason, it is necessary that I bring all my hiking gear in my carry-on luggage.