TOURIST INFORMATION
FLORES AND KOMODO ISLAND EAST NUSA TENGGARA

FLORES ISLAND
Flores is one of the biggest islands on the territory of East Nusa Tenggara Province, located between Sumbawa in western part and Timor island in the eastern part, Flores sea and Savu sea on north and southern respectively.The island is 360 km long and varies,from 12-70 kilometers wide. There are 1.5 million people living on the island.Flores is a long, narrow rugged island with aromatic volcanoes beautiful mountain lakes, grassy savannah and even some mountain forest. The landscape is beautiful with white sandy beaches and natural wonder.Flores, “Cabo das Flora” (Flower cape) as named by the Portuguese who were the first European to colonize East Nusa Tenggara.

TOURIST OBJECT IN FLORES
LABUANBAJO
A little town inhabited by fishermen, lies at the extreme western part of Flores Island. The town serves as a jumping off point for the trip to Komodo Island. It is a beautiful area for water skiing, wind surfing, fishing and many other marine activities.Pade Beach is an ideal place to do all this and from here sunsets are beautifully visible. In south of Labuanbajo there is a large and wellknown hunting park called Waewuul.The surrounding of Rinca Island and the Rinca Island Marine Park are still unspoilt and not much visited There is the old Padar, or Ninunakeng Marine Park. Boastmen in Labuanbajo always take visitor there.On the way back, visit the Mutiara - pearl breeding farm in Laboanbajo. New Labuanbajo Bay are dozens of islands and coral rocks set in a calm, blue water.Batu Cermin Cave is five kilometers from the town of Labuanbajo. It can be reached partly by car, and partly on foot. The grotto is 75 by 75 meters large, and contains stalactites and stalagmites. Some tunnels are narrow and dark but in others sunlight falls.The cave of Batu Susun is located near Batu Cermin. It is 5,000 square kilometers large. Thorny bushes block the cave's entrance, but for those who are willing to brave them there was ample reward inside.Another challenging site near Labuanbajo is Waraloka Cave. Antique ceramics have been found here.

BIDADARI ISLAND AND SURROUNDING
This small island is only 14 or 15 hectares large and is located in Labuanbajo Bay can be reached by motorboat. The island is covered with many hills, grow with trees and surrounded by fine white sand. Fishes swim in the water, which is calm and transparent.Kalong Island is 10 miles from Labuanbajo. The island
derives its name from the thousands of bats which line trees.Pulau Monyet. or Monkey Island, is only about half a mile away from Labuanbajo. Plenty of smart monkeys live on this island.At Liang Dara an ancient civilization once existed. The site is reminiscent of Liang Bua, where fossils were found.

R U T E NG
Ruteng is the capital of Manggarai Regency that was once ruled by the kings of Bima. The influences of Bima. The influences of Bima and Goa are evident in prevailing titles, such as Karaeng, and in the manner of dress. The shape of the roofs with the buffalo horn symbol, may be an element inherited from the Minangkabau. The cool town of Ruteng lies at the foot of a mountain. It can be reached by air from Kupang or Denpasar via Bima, or by ferry from Bima via Labuanbajo, or from eastern part via Ende and Bajawa. Beside the fame Komodo lizards, the area has many attractions to offer the tourists, such as the caci dance,
a wildlife reserve, and archeological caves.

BAJAWA
The capital of Ngada is Bajawa, which lies in the middle of the cool highlands. It is a pleasant little town such as is seldom found elsewhere in Flores. About 135 kilometers from Ruteng all about 5 to 7 hour - driving distance by car, Bajawa can also be reahed from Kupang by air-craft, and from Ende by car.Abulobo and Inerie are between mountains with sharp peaks known locally as the "sky pillars", and popular among mountaineers. They are located near coast and have wonderful scannery.

B E N A
Bena is prototype of an ancient Ngada village. Such villages are found in rather great numbers in the area and can be reached by car from bajawa in about one and half hours. The way of life of the people is unique, and so are the houses and the traditional ceremonies.

R I U N G
Riung is now wellknown for its seventeen isles that makes the sea surrounding a paradise for marine lovers. Here one can dive, snorkel, and swim. The beach is a sea-side resort with clear and calm water. There is a beautiful coral reef just off the shore.

E NDE
Ende was the site of a kingdom that existed around the end of the 1 8th century. The name today refers to the capital of the Ende regency, which includes the two autonomous territories of Lio and Ende. The people of the area therefore known as Lio Ende people. This town has for many decades been a center of government trade, education and political activity. Rebellion against the Dutch, led by a certain Nipa Do - known as the Wars of Watu Api and Mari Longa - decurred here in 1916 - 1917. And in 1934, the traditionalist leader Soekarno, who was later to become Indonesia's first president, was exiled to Ende by the Dutch colonial government. The town Ende lies at the foot of mountains lye, lpi, Meja and Wongge. The beautiful bays of Ende, lpi, and Mbuu are favorite sites for beach-site recreation. Ende can be reached by aircraft from Kupang. And also from Denpasar
via Bima, or by from Surabaya or Kupang. The Bung Karno Museum is the old house occupied by Soekarno during his years of exile in Ende. Most of for the old furnishings are still there. While in exile in Ende, Soekarno wrote and staged few plays, together with the Tonel Kelimutu theatre troupe. Among those plays were Rendorua Ola Nggera Nusa (Rendo That Stirred the Archipelago) and Doctor Satan, a revision on the story of Dr. Frankenstein. Near the football field in Ende stands an old, big breadfruit tree. Under it, Soekarno often sat, working on political ideas to lead Indonesia towards independence. Those reflections presumably contributed to the opening of the Pancasila concept, which is now the state philosophy of the Indonesian Republic. Just from here was the Pancasila idea born. Today, the Pancasila Birth Monument stand on this precise spot.

KELIMUTU
East Nusa Tenggara's natural wonder and one of Indonesia's most mysterious and dramatic sights that can be found on top this mountain, some 66 kilometers from Ende, or 83 kilometers from Maumere. It has a unique and spectacular view on its three crater lakes with their respective colors. The colors, however, have changed continually since the eruption of Mount /ye in Ende in 1969. The mountain is located at the back of Mount Kelibara, in the Wolowaru District in the Ende, Regency of Central Flores. Keli means mountain and Mutu means boiling. In short, it means volcano. To the local people, this mountain is holy, and a token of God's blessings. It provides fertility to the surrounding lands. It is both heaven and the hell to the people of Lio Ende. Many travelers and scientists, have written about Kelimutu since it was discovered by Van Suchtelen, a Ducth government officer, in 1915. Father Bouman published an article in 1929, which made the name Kelimutu known all over the world. Since then, many researchers and tourits have come, as well as the Governor General of Batavia (Jakarta). To get to the lakes, one follows the road, from Moni, then proceed to the crater's top. Near the crater rim was a bungalow, which has now been dismantled. The presence of the white men, or Ata Bara, was regarded disturbing to the peace of the ancestral spirits. As a result the spirits of Kelimutu disappeared. Earth quakes began rocking the land. Smoke is often released from the crater. The eruption of 1928 caused many victims and much damage. In 1938 there was another eruption, coming from Tiwu Ata Koo Fai Noo, Ata Nuwa Muri (the Lake of Youth). The biggest took place in 1968, in which the water in the lakes was shot 10 kilometers high into the sky. The peak of Kelimutu itself is 1,690 meters high, and its lake crater I ,410. Other geological data are as follows: Tiwu Ata Polo (the Lake of Evil) has a slopping wall, 150 meters high. The lake is 380 by 280 meters large and 64 meters deep. The volume of the water is about 446,000 cubic meters. Tiwu Ata Koo Fai Noo and Ata Nawa Muri (the Lake of Youth) has walls 128 meters high. The lake is 430 by 300 square large and 127 meters deep with a water content of about 500.000 cubic meters. Timu Ata Bupo (the Lake of the old) has twi layers of walls, 240 meters high. The lake covers a surface of 300 by 280 meters high. The water is 67 meters deep and 345,000 cubic meters in volume. The total water content of the three lakes amounts to 1,3 million cubic meters. In the last three ti five years, the lakes of Kelimutu have changed in color, a phenomenon caused by the geological and chemical processes in the bottom and walls of take lakes. It could also have resulted from changes in the bacteria and micro organism populations due to changes in temperature. Another theory proposed by village elders, is that there has actually been no change at all, but that the effect is due to optical illusions. To reach Kelimutu can be done by flying to Ende or Maumere, then going by car to Kelimutu. The surrounding villages are good places serving as bases for visits to Kelimutu, particularly those who wish to have a more leisurely pace and enjoy the views along the road between Ende and maumere, or spend more time in Kelimutu. Those title villages are also known for their excellent weaving all hand made, still use natural dyes. MAUMERE A port town on the northeastern coast of Flores and stopover on the way to Ende or to Denpasar, and Ujungpandang, and noted for its good beaches. The bay of Maumere, Waiara, is considered the best diving spot (Flores Marine Resort) as it promise extremely rich marine life. The resort is a paradise for all divers, underwater photographers, and for everyone interested in marone biology. It has a beautiful sea garden filled with corals and fish. So does Koka, nearby. Accommodation and facilities for recreation are available.Ledalero Museum at the outskirts of Maumere has an interesting collection of ethnological objects for the region. Visitors are welcome but advanced arrangements should be made. Ledalero is also a name of a major Catholic Seminary from many of Florinese priest originated.

S I K KA
Sikka was in the past of kingdom, but is is now a regency. The capital is Maumere, on Maumere Bay on the north coast of Flores. The town can be reached by air from Denpasar, Kupang, and Ujungpandang, or by sea from Surabaya, and over land from Ende. Bare mountains and hills dominated the landscape. Today a
reforestation program has turned large parts into green pastures.
A prehistoric bronze boat from the Dongsong era, called Dobo or Baobatung is found in a village near Maumere, where it is carefully kept by the people as an ancestral heirloom. Paga is an old village near the beach. It was a refuge for Catholic missionaries who retreated to this area as the result of pressures by the Dutch authorities in Flores. There is an old well with clear water. Its location is 40 kilometers from Maumere. The small town Nitta was the site of kingdom, and is rich in historical places, traditional ceremonies and beautiful woven clothes with various motifs. It is located 10 kilometers from Maumere. Sikka-Lela are the viliges which were formerly center from which the Roman Catholic religion spread across Flores. An old well, dug by the priest Le Cocg (1885), can still be found. Bola Beach is located in the southern past of Flores near Sikka and Lela. Many historical relies are found in these two areas, ranging from traditional houses, to rare ivory heirlooms. Ivory was in the past use as a dowry in marriage. Some of the villages in Sikka, such as Sikka, Lela and Nita produce beautiful ikat textiles with motifs that are peculiar to the region. Like TanaKa, in Ende the soil covering hill near Lakebai is also edible. The grains of earth can be eaten after
they are fried. The island of Palue, in the north of Flores has a megalithic culture. In the front- yard of houses lie the graves and "mezbah" offering stones. The people of the area are known to make great sailors. Life is still much influenced by the belief in spirits, which are believed to reside in natural objects. The island can be reached in a few hours by motorboat from the maumere prier.

KOMODO ISLAND
A small island of 280 square kilometers, Komodo is located between the island of Sumbawa and Flores. The island is almost all hill and barren except for palm trees and some wood but it is famous for its giant lizards which are considered the last of their kind remaining in the world today. To many modern naturalists, East Nusa Tenggara is so particularly interesting, because of this unique species, called the Komodo Dragon. Called "ora" by the local people, Komodo "dragon" (Varanus Komodoensis) is actually a giant monitor lizard. Growing up 3 to 4 meters in length, its ancestors roamed the earth up to about half a million years ago. Komodo live on carrion of goats, deers, and even the carcasses of their own kind. They are wild and move with their bodies raised on their four legs. At two fixed locations, visitors can watch their behaviors. The Komodo National Park includes the water around Komodo Island, Rinca and some other tiny island in the group. The park is 59,000 hectares large. Such giant lizards have also been found around Manggarai, Riung, Ngada, and even in the northern areas in the Ende Regency. Komodo is now a nature reserve being part of a national park. It is home to a number of race bird species, deer, and wild pigs, which are prey to the lizards as well. The only human population on the island is at the fishing village called Komodo who supplement their income breeding goats which are used to feed the lizards. The Komodo is protected by law and though they are considered harmless, it is advisable to keep them at a distance. To see the lizards in the day time; baits have to be set in the hinterland where local guides are necessary. The sea surrounding the island offers vistas of sea live, crystal clear water, and white sandy beaches The only accommodation available is in simple guess houses in the fishing village. It is advisable to carry food supplies. The best time to visit the island is between March and June, and between October and December. Komodo is accessible from the sea only fly to labuanbajo, from where it is about 3 - 4 hours by boat to the island.

FLORES CAR RENTAL
USD 60 PER DAY ,DRIVER AND PETROL ARE INCLUDED