When I was a young kid, a trip to Bali was my family’s go-to holiday, but this summer, I had the chance to visit Komodo National Park and the surrounding area. It was an incredible trip. We saw the legendary Komodo dragons, the largest lizards in the world. They were magnificent and huge, and I loved watching them….from a safe distance! We spent our days hiking and snorkeling, which were amazing.
I couldn’t help but notice the area’s unique atmosphere, which feels much less intense than Bali. In 2016, the Indonesian government promoted it as one of the “10 New Balis,” and you can already see new luxury resorts starting to pop up. But the pandemic slowed down development, and some new direct flights from Singapore were even canceled this summer. I can’t help but think that might be a good thing. While I love Bali, it is arguably overdeveloped. Do we really want ten more places like that?
The area around the town of Labuan Bajo has uniquely complex ecosystems. It’s quickly transforming from a small fishing village into a tourism hub, and while there’s talk of sustainable tourism, it’s hard to keep in check. The people I met were hardworking and thrilled about the new opportunities. It’s undeniable economic progress that will be life-changing for future generations, and you can’t help but be happy for them. But with that comes the inevitable loss of the fishing village culture and traditions.
Leaving a place like Komodo feels bittersweet. You’re happy for the economic progress, but also a little sad and scared for the future.
Shifting Lenses 
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