Waking early I dress and walk out from our home stay. Our host has given me directions to some paths that lead up into the mountains and forests above us.
As the road steepened the path deteriorated and I leave the houses behind. Entering the dense growth I remember Juliet saying there are dragons and I think of the sunglasses left on Komodo island.
It’s wet and slippy and difficult to find the path as it’s overgrown with dense foliage. I turn down the hill and rejoin the roads.
As I walk round I’m greeted with more warmth and smiles. The further east we’ve ventured the more welcome we have felt. We’re not sure why but possibly because there are fewer tourists and the locals have not been subjected to some of the inconsiderate behaviour we’ve observed in the hotspots. What ever the reason our belief that there are kind people all over the world is rejuvenated. It’s just a matter of being open, listening and looking at things through uncritical eyes.
Later on the four of us return to Labuan Bajo. Jonny and Alice deciding that they don’t want to go further east.
In the evening we have our last meal together high up on the terrace of a restaurant overlooking the harbour. Mostly fish and wonderful.
As we walk back towards our separate hotels all reflective of the good time we’ve had, there’s also a sadness in the air. Final hugs and Juliet and I walk back to our hotel alone for the first time in two weeks. I ask her if she’s ok and she responds “I think so” which I know is her way of saying that she’s already missing her amazing daughter, Alice.
