Lembata is a new Regent of Nusa Tenggara Timur which is an island that has rich in traditional culture.  This island was called Lomblen. Each village has different dialect and also its own hand woven pattern.

In April to November there are lot of cockatoos and  parrots flying around. This also the time  to watch whale hunt which is  the greatest occasion they have.

Armed with only simple metal-tipped spears as harpoons, they set out in their simple boats to after the whales. The ceremony before hunting held in two ways  the  tradition in a traditional house  and the Catholic in the Church or Chapel.

Lewoleba

Lewoleba is the capital city of Lembata Regency. Their men are brave sailors, and skilled whalers.

Lamalera

Lamalera on Lembata Island is a whaling village. May to September is the whale hunting season for the people of Lamalera. Using simple traditional tools as small row boats and the hand frown harpoons, the hunters sail out to hunt these giant creatures of the sea. The catch is either consumed or sold.

Karum Village

A village in Atadei district where a sulfur spring is found. Children boiled their potatoes and eggs in the hot spring.

Their ceremonies are tightly linked to their religious faith to the Supreme being called Labata. Man is His creation. The artistic talent of the native people in expressed in their woven fabric, sculpture, songs and dances.

Their moko (royal bronze drum), one meter in diameter and 90 centimeters tall raises intriguing questions among visitors, tourists, and scientific researchers, as it resembles the one found in Dongson in the northern Vietnam and which dating back to 350 years B.C. Ornaments are usually engraved around the top and bottom, once was traded between China, Columbia, or Champa, Java and Sumatra who also exported sandalwood from Alor. Alor is famous for divers who rated as “the best” dive spots.

Kalabahi
Kalabahi lies inside of a peaceful bay. Many ships load fresh water supplies form this harbor. Kalabahi is the capital town, located at the end of a bay that goes deep inland and forms mouth of a goat, well-known for its whirlpool and its breath taking panorama. Kalabahi is 137 sea miles from Kupang. It can be reached in about 14 -16 hours by sea or in hour by air. There is landing strip at Mali, 28 km from Kalabahi. Alor has been known for ages as it was mentioned in the Pingafetta writings during the voyage of Magellan around the world.

Tuti Adagi Park
The Tuti hot water spring which is found in the vicinity, is a great tourist attraction.

Maibang
A traditional village, lying 3 km from Kalabahi, respectful as a tourist village, where tourists home-stays are found.

Murafang
The central of traditional ceremonies and music includes songs and poetries, ikat weaving, and home industry. It is situated 20 km from Kalabahi.

I have been to Komodo National Park many times in many different ways… but I am still excited to go there again and again…

Komodo Dragon

Actually our plan to explore two main islands of Komodo National Park, Rinca Island and Komodo Island. On the first day we will go to Rinca Island, next day to Komodo Island… But we changed it, after see Komodo dragons in Rinca we though it was enough and better explore villages and some places around Labuanbajo – Flores island.

I am glad that we had right decision so, we had opportunity to stop an a market, a traditional market where people selling their daily needs. Walk around a nice village with head of village, see house, people activities, meet and gathering with them…. It was a great day… I like it so munch…

Here is my day by day report….

Komodo Dragon

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 Komodo 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 Komodo National Park: Komodo Island, Rica ISland, and Padar.

Accommodation is available for those who wish to become aquainted with Varanus Komodoensis.

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 …..

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.

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.

Welcome to our Flores Travel Blogs…..

We present this Travel Blogs for you, where you can share your travel experience or find other travelers’ articles about traveling around Flores Island and other islands nearby such as: Komodo, Lembata, Solor, Alor and much more…

Enjoy….

This is just testion post only.
Thanks