Komodo Island is one of the 17,508 islands that make up the Republic of Indonesia. The island has a surface area of 390 km² and over 2000 inhabitants. The inhabitants of the island are descendants of former convicts who were exiled to the island and who have mixed themselves with the Bugis from Sulawesi. The populations are primarily adherents of Islam but there are also Christian and Hindu minorities.

Komodo Island is part of the Lesser Sunda chain of islands and forms part of the Komodo Island National Park. Particularly notable here is the native Komodo Island dragon. In addition, the island is a popular destination for diving. Administratively, it is part of the East Nusa Tenggara province.

Although Indonesia withdrew Komodo Island National Park (KNP) as a finalist New Seven Wonders Of Nature (N7WN), Komodo Island National Park remains a World Heritage or UNESCO recognized world heritage in 1991

This action was taken because the Government of Indonesia to assess the Operator New 7 Wonders Foundation’s campaign has been unprofessional, inconsistent, not transparent, and its credibility cannot be accounted for. The foundation requires the government of Indonesia to pay license fee as host of USD10 million and USD35 million to prepare for the cost of the event. It was a new Ministry of Culture and Tourism expressed interest to host and have not signed any agreement or document registering the “New 7 Wonders Official Worldwide Bidding Tender” which required the Foundation N7WN.

Indonesia takes the right decision. Better use of existing funds to enhance and complement the Komodo Island National Park. Indonesia is a great nation that should not single party squeezes let alone fool the nation. Without a finalist in the New Seven Wonders, the Park remains ‘Wonder’. Where there is habitat for ancient animal again in this world other than the Island of Komodo Island.

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).