Flores Island
Flores Island is lying east of Bali in East Nusa Tenggara. It is about 1 and half hours flight from Denpasar – Bali Merpati Airlines.
Centuries earlier, Portuguese explores discovered it as the jewels in the neckless of Indonesia Islands and gave the island its lyrical name “Cabo das Flora” means “Cape of Flowers” after the beautiful coral formations that shimmer in her crystal sea.
Flores promises an forgettable vacation for those who want to relax on a palm fringed beach, explore the enchanting coral playgrounds. Venture inland to discover the island’s rich cultural heritage, the magnificent of “Kelimutu” – the Three Color Lakes, see the Giant Lizards – Komodo Dragons on their natural habitat, and much more …..
Flores Island is a dazzling kaleidoscope of prehistoric dragons and wild horses colored lakes and actives volcanoes, traditional villages and megalithic cultures, coral reefs and untouched beaches
The Flores archipelago itself is endless in diversity. Starting in the west lies the KOMODO ISLAND, where the biggest lizard in the world (the Komodo Dragons), can be seen. The sea around these island also offers excellent coral reefs to explore.
East of Komodo island is the main island of Flores. Unique to this island is the world famous Mt. Kelimutu with its three colored lakes.
Flores also offer traditional villages with megalithic cultures set in an untamed volcanic landscape, sunny beaches, coral reefs and beautifully hand made textiles.
Wildlife includes species of lizards, monkeys and parrots. There is also abundant marine life with reef sharks, sperm whale dolphins and tropical fish.
East of the island lies the Outer Island. Rich in colonial history, but still strong in traditional ways of living and beliefs. In the sea around these island one can also see whales and enjoy game fishing.
Mountain and Valleys
About 70 millions years ago, due to a collision between the Australian – Indian Ocean plate and Eurasian plate, large volcanoes erupted. These volcanoes slowly merged together to form the green jewel, Flores.
The cone shaped volcanoes on Flores are still potentially and demonstrably active.
The Chapel of Christ in Larantuka was miraculously spared when Mt. Ile Mandiri erupted in the early 1980s. In Ruteng a new volacano “Anak Ranaka” appeared as recently as 1988. And smoke can still be seen rising from Mt. Ebulobo, on traveling the road from Bajawa to Ende.
Flores mountains offer great opportunities for trekking and hiking, where you pass terraced rice fields laying deep in the sloping valleys, or climbing over mountain passes to traditional villages.
The Three Colored Lakes
“Konderatu – konderatu, let the clouds part so we may see your glory”
Set high among the mountains in the middle of Flores island is Mt. Kelimtu with its three volcanic craters, each with it’s own colored lake. Most visitor make an early start to reach the summit and see the sunrise, which through its rays reveals the true colors of the lakes.
Local believe the colors are influenced by the kind of spirits that dwell in them.
Scientists believe it is due to the high mineral content dissolved in the water, either way it is a spectacular sight.
Prehistoric Dragons
With one large bite the huge dragon, with its flickering forked tongue, ripped into the flesh of its prey and then gulped it down in one piece.
The Komodo Dragon Varanus Komodoensis is the largest of all lizards in the world, measuring up to three meters in length and over 150 kilos in weight. These dragons are carnivorous and if hungry will turn on their own.
Official guides work and study on Komodo Island assisting in fieldwork and research. They have the knowledge and experience to show you these spectacular animals.
Komodo island and nearby Rica Island are not just “dragons” but also offer a variety of other wildlife such as wild horses, birds, and deer as well as abundant marine life.
Komodo dragons are only found among the island of the National Park.
Accommodation is available for those who wish to become aquainted with Varanus Komodoensis.
Traditions and Megaliths
Although the vast majority of Flores is Catholic, many people still follow their old ways, by living in traditional villages and placing food offerings on megalithic stones, to appease their ancestor.
In the mountains, around Bajawa, the Ngada people still follow the law laid down by their ancestors. The Ngadanese are divided into set, clans, that have head chiefs and elders who decide over matters such as land-rights, funerals, marriages and other ceremonies.
The area Lio, Mt. Kelimutu, has a legend about four brothers who migrated from Java and formed the first Lio clans. All clan that live and form the same area, elect lords and chiefs to decide over community matters. Each clan owns a clan house where the bones of important ancestors are kept, and rituals are held. The Lio village is a cluster of houses with large high steep roofs erected around sacred stones, and megalithic.
Weaving
Women throughout Flores still hand-weave their textiles using natural dyes and handspun cotton, known as Ikat weaving. Flores textiles are rustic in color with abstract motifs of chickens, mountains and traditional houses. Some weaving areas are, Pagal around Ruteng, Wolotopo, Nggela in Ende region and Sikka nearby Maumere.
Coral Reefs
Where the world can you dine with pre-historic dragons, then leave them to digest their food, while you explore the unique underwater world.
Flores, the treasure of coral reefs, rich with colorful sea gardens, giant clans, caves, and clear water that teems with more species of fish than can be found in all the rivers and lakes of Europe.
There are three location, Labuan Bajo, Riung, and Maumere that offer facilities for snorkeling and certified divers. Labuan Bajo, the prefect location to explore untouched coral in Komodo National Park.
Maumere also offers the opportunity to explore great marine life, around 40 different dive sites in the Marine Garden of the Bay of Maumere. Dive into the crystal clear water with normal visibility of 60 – 150 yard and the right temperature of 26 – 28°Celcius, where you will see more species of fish than anywhere else and exciting marine life.
Flores Island is lying east of Bali in East Nusa Tenggara. It is about 1 and half hours flight from Denpasar – Bali Merpati Airlines.
Centuries earlier, Portuguese explores discovered it as the jewels in the neckless of Indonesia Islands and gave the island its lyrical name “Cabo das Flora” means “Cape of Flowers” after the beautiful coral formations that shimmer in her crystal sea.
Flores Island Map
Flores promises an forgettable vacation for those who want to relax on a palm fringed beach, explore the enchanting coral playgrounds. Venture inland to discover the island’s rich cultural heritage, the magnificent of “Kelimutu” – the Three Color Lakes, see the Giant Lizards – Komodo Dragons on their natural habitat, and much more …..
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