Flores
A fascinating, mountainous and remarkably beautiful island, Flores has a volcanic topography that has longed shaped its destiny. A chain of cones stretches the length of this verdant island, provoking a complicated relief of V-shaped valleys and knife-edged ridges – terrain that was near-impenetrable until recent years and that has separated the island into many distinct ethnic groups. Today, though Flores is overwhelmingly Catholic, rich indigenous cultures continue to thrive alongside mainstream religious beliefs. – by the Loney Planet
The most famous tourist attraction in Flores is Kelimutu; three coloured lakes in the district of Ende and close to the town of Moni. These crater lakes are in the caldera of a volcano, and fed by a volcanic gas source, resulting in highly acid water. The coloured lakes change colours on an irregular basis, depending on the oxidation state of the lake from bright red through green and blue.
Labuanbajo
A picturesque fishing community clinging to the western tip of Flores, Labuanbajo has an agreeably weathered, slightly ramshackle charm. It’s the main jumping-off point for Komodo and Rinca, and with dozens of world-class dive sites and fine snorkelling nearby there’s every reason to spend a few days here. The attractive harbour is scattered with outrigger fishing boats and is sheltered by the islands, giving the impression that you’re standing on the shores of a vast lake.
– by the Loney Planet
Ruteng
A market town and meeting point for the hill people of western Flores, Ruteng is the heart of Manggarai country, which extends to the west coast from north of Aimere. The town is surrounded by rice fields on gentle slopes beneath a line of volcanic hills.
Ruteng is a pleasantly cool town of broad streets, but it’s spread out and not particularly atmospheric, though there are some interesting sights in the vicinity. Most people just spend a night here, stopping to break the interminable bus journey.
Ruteng’s lively, sprawling pasar (Jl Kartini) is a meeting place for people from the surrounding hills. – by the Loney Planet
Bajawa
The main attraction of Bajawa is the chance to get out into the countryside and explore the traditional villages. It is certainly possible to visit the area alone, but you’ll learn a lot more about the culture and customs (like the caste system) with a good guide, and some will organise meals in their home villages or treks across the countryside. The main difference is their proficiency in English (a few also know a little Dutch, German and/or French). You’re likely to have prospective guides approach you in your hotel, or in the restaurants Camellia and Lucas. – by the Loney Planet
Moni
Moni is a pretty village, nestled among soaring peaks, which serves as the gateway to Flores’ main tourist attraction, Kelimutu. It is scenic, cooler than the lowlands and a good place for walks.
The village is strung alongside the Endi-Maumere road in the heart of the Lio region, which extends from east of Ende to beyond Wolowaru. Lio people speak a dialect of the Ende language and are renowned for their ikat weaving: pieces adorned with bands of blue and rusty-red. A colourful market spreads over the playing field in front of Moni’s church every Monday morning. Cloth from the Nggela and Maumere regions can be bought here. You’ll also find a few stalls along Moni’s main street, as well as at the parking area for Kelimutu. – by the Loney Planet
Maumere
The seaport of Maumere is a pretty forlorn place, but as it’s one of the main gateways to Flores, and well connected with Bali and Timor, you may well end up here for a night. Its crumbling concrete buildings and air of decay brutally betray its recent history – in 1992 an earthquake and resulting 20m tsunami killed thousands here. The city authorities appear to have done little to help the town’s recovery, however: mounds of rubbish line the streets, nibbled by marauding pigs and goats, which only compounds the postapocalyptic air that lingers on.
The town is the major centre of the Sikkanese language and culture, which extends east between central Flores and Larantuka. This area has been one of the chief centres of Catholic activity and missions in Flores since Portuguese Dominicans arrived some 400 years ago.
Some interesting trips can be made out of town to ikat-weaving villages and east to the once-legendary Maumere sea gardens, coral reefs which are steadily recovering after the tsunami. A string of beach bungalow resorts also line this coast, offering a temptingly accessible alternative to staying in town . – by the Loney Planet
Ende
The port town of Ende is an important transport hub, with good sea and air connections to the other islands in Nusa Tenggara, though there’s little to see in the town itself. Nevertheless, some fine mountain scenery surrounds the town, including the cones of Gunung Meja (661m) near the airport and larger Gunung Iya, occupying a promontory to the south.
The people gathered in south-central Flores, in and around Ende, have a mix of Malay and Melanesian features. The aristocratic families of Ende link their ancestors through mythical exploits and magical events to the Hindu Majapahit kingdom of Java. Today the population of Ende is evenly split between Christians and Muslims. – by the Loney Planet
The most famous tourist attraction in Flores is Kelimutu; three coloured lakes in the district of Ende and close to the town of Moni. These crater lakes are in the caldera of a volcano, and fed by a volcanic gas source, resulting in highly acid water. The coloured lakes change colours on an irregular basis, depending on the oxidation state of the lake [5] from bright red through green and blue. The latest colours (late 2004) were said to be turquoise, brown and black.
Larantuka
A busy little port of rusting tin-roofed houses at the eastern end of Flores, Larantuka nestles around the base of Gunung Ili Mandiri, separated by a narrow strait from Pulau Solor and Pulau Adonara. Most folk choose not to linger here and quickly depart for the Solor Archipelago or Kupang by boat.
This corner of Indonesia, though always isolated, was one of the first to attract European interest, as it lay on sea routes used by the Portuguese seeking sandalwood from Timor. Forts and more than 20 Dominican missions were built by 1575. Portugal maintained a presence in Larantuka until the mid-19th century, and their descendents, called ‘Topasses’, are still a significant community in Larantuka today.
Easter is a particularly good time to be in town, when there are huge processions of penitents and cross-bearers.
Though there aren’t any readily accessible walk-on-and-flop beaches, some of the small islands nearby have blissful white-sand bays and bungalow-style accommodation. – by the Loney Planet.
