Flores island is one of the island on East Nusa Tenggara province. It stretches between the east longitudes of 118° and 125°, and between the latitudes of 8° and 11° south. The east Nusa Tenggara cover the area 49,880 sq km and it has a population of 3,500,000. Flores becomes one of the biggest island on the territory of East Nusa Tenggara or NTT which comprises 566 islands, including many smaller islands which are not in-habitated and unnamed. The three main islands are Flores, Sumba and Timor from which comes the term ‘Flobamor’, which has been familiar as one of the names of NTT.

Tourism

Kelimutu - the famous three-colored lakes

1. The most famous tourist attraction in Flores is Kelimutu; three coloured lakes in the district of Ende. These coloured lakes change colours on a regular basis. The latest colours (late 2004) were said to be turquoise, brown and black. Kelimutu is the name of a long extinct volcano that has become commonly excepted as one the most and if not the most wonderful and fascinating natural sight in the whole Indonesian archipelago. Its distinct feature is the three huge colored lakes at the top. The largest of which is a bright turquoise, a close by green lake and slightly further away a black lake. These wonderful sights owe there interesting colours to chemical reactions that occur in the volcanic craters and more interestingly these colours change throughout time and even on a periodic fluctuation basis, only 30 years ago the green lake was a maroon brown colour.

2. Bajawa – is one of the best areas in Nusa Tenggara to see indigenous architecture in local ethnic minority villages

Traditional Village Near Bajawa

Bajawa is a hinterland town for nearby harbors and is part of the coffee making system of this area. Located in the middle of Flores although close to the coasts, Bajawa is a highland village in the centre of a ring of mountains. Bajawa is a lovely little pace and well worth a visit if you are staying in any of the surrounding villages or passing through. This is due to the nearby volcanoes, the gorgeous hot springs and the surrounding villages that area of particular interest. These surrounding village have retained there unique traditions and social practices that are refreshing to view and consider, particularly the village of Ngada. Ngada is of particular interest in physical village set up and the culture within. Firstly the village consists of Indonesian style thatched huts that although are common in Indonesia, here area arranged and presented in a different way.

3. Ruteng – ethnic minority center interesting local villages

Traditional House in Ruteng

Labuan Bajo is located at the far west coast of the West Manggarai regency for Flores. This is the largest regency and his home to many spectacular sights and adventure possibilities. It important to remember that it is this particular regency that suffers more severely then the rest of Flores from the extended dry season period. For traveling terms this means hot dry weather and the increased purchasing in mineral water although by the sea in Labuan Bajo the effect of this is less dramatic.

Labuanbajo

Labuan Bajo is port of entrance to Flores if taking the ferry from Bima sumbawa as well as the crossings from Denpasar and some crossings from Sulawesi and Bumba. Labuan as has a domestic airport receiving flights from Denpasar and other Indonesian Airports. Labuan is commonly used as jump off point to Komodo and Rinca in order to view the extensive wildlife on land and under the water in this protected area of incredible biodiversity including the almost exclusive residents, the Komodo dragons that are visible on the dry tropical land areas. However Labuan Bajo is my no means is a town to pass through for necessity only, Labuan Bajo is a beautiful, interesting and quaint enough place to spend a few days if you have them spare and witness the local culture and areas close by such as the villages and weavers.

5. The Komodo National Park

Komodo_dragons

The Komodo National Park or KNP is located with the archipelago of Indonesia between the beautiful islands of Sumbawa and Flores. The park is a huge expanding project that is currently 1817km and with the current expansion plans this will soon be extending to 2,321km2 including marine and land reserves. The current threats and issues that the Komodo National Park deal with differ between species and the states of the ecosystems from with they are from.

The Komodo National Park has over 1000 species of rare fish, 260 species of progressive base line coral that actually create the reefs themselves and 7 species of sponges that are essential to the surface of the reef. Large species are also present including sharks, Dugong, manta rays, over 14 species of endangered whales, dolphins and the now recovering giant turtles.

There are several airports in Flores, and the main one is at Maumere. There are also daily flights between Labuanbajo and Denpasar.

A number of companies organise 4 day sailing trips between Lombok or Bali and Flores which take in Komodo islands and Rinca island. These cost around Rp1,000,000 passengers should be aware that these trips can cross open waters and are on boats with no navigation or safety equipment other than some lifejackets (ie. no radio, flares or life rafts).

Sempu Island, East Java, Indonesia

‘Pulau’ (island) ‘Sempu’ is located about 70 kilometers south of the center of ‘Malang’ city, East Java. Technically, this island is a nature reservation under the jurisdiction of the ‘BKSDA’ IV (natural resources conservation station) in Malang. While from a government administrative point of view the area is included in the Biru Settlement. ‘Tambakrejo’ Village, ‘Sumbermanjing Wetan’ Sub-District, Regency of ‘Malang’, of East Java.

The area of the island stretches 3.9 kilometers from east to west, and 3.6 kilometers from north to south. The topography of the island is for almost 50% made up of hilly plains, with slopes ranging from average to steep, at altitudes of 50 to 100 meters above sea level. The larger part of the beaches aligned with steep lime rock cliffs, which is the characteristic of the islands along the Indian Ocean.

This character is also specific for the islands along the south and east of Java Island. Certainly, such terrain makes it difficult for the fishermen to moor their boats. But, such a condition also decides that the ‘Sendang Biru’ Beach, which is located north of ‘Sempu’ island, has quiet waves. Because of that, this beach is the safest harbor along the southern stretch of the Indian Ocean, and is the largest fish landing spot along the southern beach of Java Island.

The merits of ‘Pulau Sempu’ for the fishermen of ‘Sendang Biru’ Beach are indeed invaluable. Its sturdy shape with steep cliffs, neutralize the vicious waves of the southern seas. So it is not surprising to sometimes find fishermen performing the slalom test on this 3.9 kilometers long beach with its quiet waters.

The Lagoon Java

‘Pulau Sempu’ is separated from Java Island only by a 800 meters wide strait, which is also used as the gate to the open sea. Its waves are relatively quiet, appropriate for fishing, rowing, or swimming. As according to the land maps, the type of soil in the area of this island is of a ‘litosol’ compound and reddish brown Mediterranean, and includes even the main limestone formation.
The only natural cave found on ‘Pulau Sempu’ has its own specialty. The cave that is located around 2.5 kilometers from the ‘Teluk’ (bay) ‘Sumber’ Beach line is 25 meters above sea level and holds sources of sweet water. The cave is 20 meters long and 3 meters wide with a dry surface. It is highly strategic place for those who like to meditate, or just seek solitude.

Along the even steeper south side, there are also some sea caves. The sea caves along the east and southeast sides have become the settlements of numerous swallows. But, because of its highly steep location, none of the local fishermen dare to pick the birds nests.

A visit to ‘Pulau Sempu’ feels like being at the ‘Bogor’ Safari Park. Wildlife like deer’s, black monkeys, boars, and panthers often teasingly cross the visitors paths. It is not surprising then that this area often provokes the hunter to cleave into its forests. According to the data at the Forest Office of East Java, the area still holds 12 species of mammals, 36 species of fowls, and 3 species of reptiles. With this variety of flora and fauna the management of the island, i.e. ‘BKSDA’ IV in ‘Malang’, has developed the area into a tourist destination.