EAST NUSA TENGGARA
The Lesser Sunda Islands
Munch has been written about Indonesia but very little about the intriguing world of East Nusa Tenggara. The chain of Island, Komodo, Flores, ALor, Sumba and Timor are tucked away in the far south east corner of the Indonesian archipelago. Here they escaped the influences of the greater Javanese kingdoms and apart from the occasional trader of the Portuguese, had little influence from the outside world. For such a small area East Nusa Tenggara’s variety of physical and cultural attractions is not found anywhere else in the world. It offers the widest range of traditional architecture, marine, species that exceed all those found in the river and lakes and the prized art of traditional ikat weaving. The people of East Nusa Tenggara are affiliated with local domains and Kingdoms from which they receive their rituals, language and dress that are still identifiable today. Although Christianized their Ancestral religions are still an important and dominant part of their lives.

Off the 566 islands that make up East Nusa Tenggara only 42 are inhabited. The northern chain are all volcanic island which include Flores, Solor and Alor which are mountainous making them cooler and wetter. Samba, Sabu, Roti and Timor are formed from limestone and coral reefs with vast savannas and uncultivated land.

A Geographer, Wallacea, noticed that while he traveled east there was a significant change in plant and animal species. Even from Bali to Lombok there was a decrease in rain, forest and large land mammals. He concluded there must be large barrier separating East Nusa Tenggara is a transition zone from Asian to Australian species, this overlap makes it extremely rich in marine life.

Wild-life includes a variety of exotic bird species, parrots and cackatoos, lizards is the Komodo dragon reaching some 3 meters in length and weighing 150 kg’s. Marine life is rich, like wrasse and lion. This is also home to large sea mammals, blue whales, sperm whales, walrus, dolphin and dugongs.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Indonesia is a destination of diversity, where great civilizations have been uncovered, but much of the true wonders of the archipelago such as Flores, Sumba and Timor remain undiscovered and untouched by mass tourism.

Here we give you the opportunity to participate rather than just observe the Nature, Culture and People. In order to do this the Flores programs can take a rather more in depth look at the island.

These expeditions are for the adventure minded traveler who does not mind exploring parts of these islands where things might not mind exploring parts of these islands where things might not always turn out as expected. Some of the places you visit receive little or no other tourist, therefore it is important that in our dress, behavior, and photograph taking we show greater sensitivity than usual.

FLORES ISLAND

Flores, a green lush and mountainous island not part of a mass tourist industry, is a splendid array of untamed scenic wonder, traditional cultures and hospitable people. This volcanic island is made up of seventeen volcanoes, the most recent appearing in 1988. Some are still smoking while others, a little more active, occasionally throw up ash and stones when the ancestors have been displeased.

Flores receive its name in 1512 by the Portuguese who called it “Cabo da Flora” Cape of Flowers. They soon realized the strategic value of Flores and built a fort on Solor. By 1570 the Portuguese were hard at work converting the local population to the catholic faith.

PEOPLE

The presence of several ethnic group in Flores provides  the basic for several distnict cultures and beliefts, not to mention the recent arrival of Bimanese, Bugis and Savunese people who bring with them their own arts, traditions and textiles.

Like the islands of Sumba and Timor , the originala animast belief coexist with  or are covered by a thin. Layer of the newer Chirstian. Althought  the majority of the people on Flores are Catholic many of them still follow the wayslaid down for them by their ancestors; living in traditional villages, electing village heads to conduct the appropriate ceremonies and regularly offering “gift” to satisfy their ancestors.
Flores island seems to mark a transition area in the archipelago. Those etnic groups in the western part of the island have shorter bodies and paler skin, while those towards the east have Papuan influences, with black frizzy hair and tall dark skinned bodies. An explanation for this could possibly be that the etnic groups from the west to the middle of the island arrived from Sumatra and Java while those in the east may have arrived from Polynesia via Papua.

NATURE

The mountainous natureof Flores and the volcanic soil makes it generally cooler, weter and more fertile than its southern neighbors ( Sumba and Timor ) yielding cash crops such as coffe, cloves, cacao and boats the best vanilla in the world.

Because of the differences in landscape and altitude the season are a little irregular. Generally the hot-dry season is from May to November with some rainy spells in the mountains and the cool-wet season is from December to April.

Many of the people rely on agriculture as a means of supporting themselves . however the wet rice paddy filed is a relatively new invention and mush of the rice is grown using the dry method of slash and burn. Those who live near the coast supplement their income by fishing.

Wild-life excludes large land mammals but there are many species of monkey, lizard, snake, bats and bird. Marine life is plentiful and of great variety, dolphins, whales, walrus and sting-rays as well as many kinds of vivdly coloured tropical fish. About 10 million years ago large volcanoes erupted and slowly merged together to form the awesome landscape of Flores. Today, climbing up the slopes of these volcanoes are neatly arranged terraced rice fields and in the tropical forest cast plantation of coffe abnd vanilla can be seen.

KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

Our tour operator will work together with the staff of Komodo National Park to prepare information leaf-lets, slide programs ( on request )nature walks and other facilities for your convenience. This join program is to widen your experience while visiting this forgotten Eden. They can offer you the change to discover, with trained English speaking Ranger several of the island in the National Park.

With one large bite the huge dragon, with its flickering forked tongue, ripped into the flesh of its prey and then gulpet it down in one piece. This dragon is largest of all lizard in the world and can only be found among the islands of Komodo National Park.

The Komodo islands are not just about dragons, there are many other attractions abundant marine life and secluded golden beaches among the islands.to cruise around these tropical islands, stoping at white sand beaches on tranquil deserted islands is the perfect way to visit these jewels on the equator.

Imagine yourself sailing over a shimmering tur- quoise sea, below you swim schools of rainbow-colored fish above circle majestic sea eagles and around you dolphin plays, as you pass settlements of sea gypseies on your way to Komodo Island.

The National Park is a cluster of small islands off the coast of west Flores. These rugged islands are hometo the larges dragon in the world, and can be reached by speed boat in one hour from town of Labuan Bajo. Of all the islands in the National Park the dragon can only be found on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Sebita and Motang. The National Park has rangers, who escort visitors aroundthe island on designated walking trails.

VARANUS KOMODOENSIS

Varanus komodoensis can reach up to there meters in leght and weight over 150 kg, although classified as a lizard it has many snake-like characteristic; its jaw isable to dislocate forked tongue acts as an organ of tate and smell.  Although the komodo dragon is a lazy, slow looking creature it is nevertheless a powerful predator, it has been know to clock up to 30kph when hungry. A flick of its long muscular tail can easily bring down a young foal or a tired buffalo, then its powerful jaws clamp onto its prey and the razor sharp teeth promptly disembowel it. Howeverif all this fails and the prey manages to escape, within a shorts time it will die from the lizard has no compunction about eating its neighbor.

Nearby Rinca and Sebita island offer you an ideal landscape for walking or trekking, to see the dragons in the wild. Here we can also see wild horses, deer, buffaloes and flying foxes.

Young lizards live in the trees and feed on small animals, rats, snake and smaller lizar. Many young  dragons are found on the island of Sebita. The mating season for these dragons are rather moddy. The female can lay up to 20 eggs, which hatch within 6 months. It is thought that the komodo dragon can live up to 50 years.

LABOAN BAJO
Tidal Rhythms

A small fishing town, with houses built on stilts around a bay full of spidery trimmarans. Long catamarans, sailing, long catamarans, sailing boats and a constant flow of canoes bringing people and goods around the island filled bay. All its wetercarfts and coral reefs, make it a perfect base for exploring the tropical islands of the National Park.

Labuan Bajo is a mixture of Bugis people from Sulawesi, Sea Gypsies from the Sulu seas, animastic Catholic from all over the world. With the new tourist facilities LAbuanbajo is on longer just a “transit points” to see the Komodo dragons, but also offers world class diving and snorkeling or the opportunity to relax on one of the many excotic beaches.

RUTENG
The Rice Bowl of Flores

The area of Ruteng, officially know as the regency of Manggarai, is in the western region of Flores. Manggarai regency is the largest in Flores.

Ruteng, a smaal prosperous town set in e valley behind the impressive volcano, Mt Ranaka. An abudance of circular terraced rice fields can be seen on the clopes of Flores. Due to its altitude, volcanic soil and favourable rainfall, the valleys around Ruteng grow both coffee and vanilla.

The people of Manggarai, according to local legend were forced to leave their homes in Minangkabau, West Sumatra, when they were conquered by more sophisticated people.

Although nowadays theis appearance is quite moder, they still maintain some of their homeland. In order to build a traditional villages the following conditions must be fulfilled; one house must be the ceremonial house containing a drum which through varius rituals will become sacred. The village where possible must be situated on the top of a hill and in the centre a large banyan tree. An altar – Compang should be raised around the tree forming a circular platform surrounded by stones. When this is complete the ancestors will gove their blessing and the village will be prosperous and peacefull.

Traditionally, the house were a large circular structure raised above the ground with a central pillar often more than several meters from the ground. There are no walls and the thatched conical roof stars from the ground. Throughout this regency one can still see these houses and Compangs.



BAJAWA
People of The Mountains

The Region of Bajawa, officially Ngada, lies in an area surrounded by volcanoes. The hidden richness of culture inthese valeeys invite visitors to spend more time here on the way to Ruteng or Ende . climbing further into the mountains along steep passed with breath-taking views of traditional villages in the valleys below, one is drawn to the wonder of nature is unsescapeble as you surrender to the strength of the mountains.

The Ngada-Bajawa clans are know by their neighbours as “People of the Mountains”, since all their villages are set on the slope of the volcanoes. Here many of the people still adhere to the traditional beliefs and regularly place offerings on megalithic altars to please their ancestors. Several of these traditional villages can be reached by car or four wheel drive, but some can only be reached by walking
Track making this a unique area for “tamping”. Bena, on the slopes of Ine Rie volcano, is one of the central areas of this traditional religion . as you enter this bronze age village, all western concept of time and technology cease to have meaning, people use methods and tools that have been handed down trough generations. These houses form a circle around a central ceremocial are made up of three parts. First the big megalithic ancestral stones, are raised to form an altar. After this a male umbrella shaped structure, Ngadu, made from sacred wood is erected. Lastly the small female huts, Bhaga, with intricate carving are placed in this area.

Hunting is done with spears, bows and blow-pipes but the Ngadanese rely mainly on agriculture for their livelihood. Therefor many of their festivals follow the agricultural year, such as the Reba festival in December or January, held to welcome the new year and ask for ancestors blessing.


ENDE
An Islamic Port

Ende is picturesque town with a dramatic setting, nestled on the shores of the Bay of Ende, surrounded by mountains with the active volcano of Ia standing guard at the eastern end of the bay. Rising out of the town is Table Mountain from whose top we can see the island of Ende.

Ende has a distinctive Islamic flavour as Arab trades playing their trade settled and formed Ende. During the Japanese occupation the city was regional capital for their activities in the eastern archipelago. Former President Soekarno was exiled here for five years, his house has now become interesting document and photo’s. east of town  along the coast are several traditional villages set againt the backdrop of the turquoise sea with stretches of black sand beach. These make an enjoyable walk where we can enjoy the spending view, visit a megalithic vilarge and see women hand weave textiles.

IKAT WEAVING  

Women throughout Flores hand weave their textiles, using natural dyes and hand spun cotton, in a process known Ikat Weaving. These textiles are rustic in color with abstract motifs and are worn by men and women daily. The areas of Maumere, Ende and Lio are the famous weaving centers of Flores.

LIO
Lake People

Those people who life around Mt. Kelimutuare called Lio people and live in traditional houses. According to legend, four brothers from Java founded the firs Lio clans. Those clans which live and work in the same area elect lords and chiefs to keep the peace and decide over matters such as land rights, house building  and other ceremonies.

So far  there are only two main roads in this tropical forest area giving it a feeling of true wilderness as the roads, more than any where else in Flores wind up and down ridges of the Kelimutu Volcano or the way to Moni. We will use this small mountain village as our base camp while exploring this area.

Each clan owns a clan house where the bones of important ancestors are kept. This house is blessed with some food under the house. Of course nowadays a child is not used for purpose but is replaced by pig.

Each village itself is a cluster of house erected around sacred altars and megaliths where men dry their harves of coffe beans and the women hand weave textiles. These ikat textiles have motif of mountains, traditional houses, flowers and various animals.
TRADITIONS AND MEGALITHS

Although the vast majority are catholic, many people still follow the traditions laid down by their ancestors, by living in traditional villages and placing food offerings on megalithic altars, to appease the ancestors. Among the volcanoes, the local people still perform impressive ceremocies where house, buffaloes and hand woven textiles are sacrificed and offered. The Lio villages on the slopes of Mt Kelimutu, are clusters of house with high steeped thatched roofs erected around sacred stones and megalithic graves.


KELIMUTU
The Coloured Lakes

Set high in the mountains surrounded by traditional Lio Villages stands Mt Kelimutu – a natural wonder, three crater lakes each with its own colour that constantly changes.

Most people arrive at the craters shortly before the sunrice. As you start your journey, it is bitterly cold and we shiver in your jumpers, nothing can prepare you for what you are about to see. As you arrive at the creatures there is a respectful silenceand an aura of suspense fills the air. Will Konderatu grant you permission to see the lakes ? A local invokes the spirit of Konderatu, pleading with him to remove the mist, he has acknowledged your meek presence and the mist begins to clear.

The first sharfts of light touch the lakes there are gasps of delight as you see the first glimpses of the sights yet to come.

The suns rays intensify and the splendous of the lakes is slowly revealed. As it gets warmer people start to descend and you are left alone with the powerful forces that inhabit the lakes. Gazing into their depths a voice urges you to enter and become one with them, shrugging off this hypnotic, power you turn away from the lakes and start to descend.


MAUMERE
Home of Catholic Missionaries Education

This economical capital of Flores lies in the region of Sikka, it is a busy seaport, large airport and has the best facilities for hotels and restaurants on this side of Flores. Because the Labuanbajo is the west and Maumere in the east in serve as the natural gateways to Flores. Before the Dutch conquered this town, in 1856. The region of Sikka is drier than western Flores – however, crops such as cacao, copra, cashew nuts and the income from fishing is more than adequate to support the people.

Maumere also is home to one of the largest Seminaries in Asia, which also houses a large collection of artifacts. It includes one of the best collections of photo taken by the first missionaries this area of Indonesia – well worth a visit.

The coral reefs around maumere contains an enormous variety   of tropical fish as well as many kind of hard and soft coral offering world-class diving. The tour operator can help you with booking a diving holiday here that will be operated by professional dive instructor.

The birth of a child is prepared for in advance by making symbolic objects. A sword and spear symbols of masculinity for a boy, and weaving and spinning tools – symbols of feminity. These symbols cord will be hung from a tree whice the relatives will dance around welcoming the child into the community. The next day the child will be given a name whice. Is taken from the mothers dream during labour.


LARANTUKA
Miracles

A small town set around an old habour, guarded by Mount Lle Mandiri which erupted and virtually threatened to swallow the town in the early 1980’s, when it sent down a flood of mud and boulders killing hundreds of people and many houses and building destroyed, miraculously the flow bypassed the Chapel of Christ then divided itself just at the door steps of the Chapel.

Since the arrival of the Portuguese in the 16th Century Larantuka has been used as a base for Catholic religion. Every year during the night of Holy Friday a candlelit procession moves slowly through the streets around the town, candles stand everywhere, on the beach, boats, and in every doorway. Pilgrims arrive from all corners of the world to witness the event which depict the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. For the people in the mountains around Larantuka the old beliefs of a “Highest power, the creator of the Sun, the Moon and Earth” are still strong.


WATO WELE
A Folklere


The female hairy god, Watu Wele was born from volcano. She roamed the mountains during the day hunting for deers, snake and wild boars and the night a she  incaves. One day aman, Patigolo wa washed ashore on the beach  below Wato Wele mountain. Some days later Patigolo, almost starved to death, saw a fire on top of the mountain and being curious and hungry he decided to try to reach  the light. On  top of the mountain he found the warming fire but no food. He decided to wait for  the owner of the fire but fell asleep under a tree. By the time Watu-Wele arrived with prey from the hubt the fire was alredy dead. She struck a flint, but no sparks cam out and she realized that there was another power at work.

She looked around and beame of the stranger sitting under the tree. She ask him to come closer but Patigolo was to scared to move since he had never seen such a hairy creature before. After much convincing talk from Watu-Wele patigolo took courage and sat down to dine with the hairy giant. Patigolo cunningly got Watu-Wele Patigolo so drunk and dizzy that she feel a sleep. His curiosity led him to cut her hair to find out who she was startled to find that the hairy faints was a woman ! shorn of her hair Watu-Wele felt the cold and lost all he magic powers, as she woke up she became attractive to patigolo, so they got married. Ever since that day man and women have become husband and wife.


LEMBATA
Whaling

East of Larantuka starts a string of volcanic island that finally reaches the south Mollacus via Alor island. On one of these islands, Lembata. The traditions are especially strong  and the scenery breath-taking. To the north of Lewoleba, the main town and port of Lembata, a peninsula former by the Lle ape volcano is the home of several traditional villages. These still maintain small thatched roof hurts to serve as ancestral offering temples. Every year between July and November, the Bean festival is held, hundreds of people join together in feasting and offerings asking the village spirits for protection. This is also the area of the famous Lembata ikat blankets that seldom can be found outside the island.

To the south of Lewoleba a rough road runs to the small fishing village of Lamalera. Here the fisherman hunt whales from small out-rigger canoes with hand thrown harpoons. The nine clans of whales at Lamalera still catch up  to 15 whales a year. Since the whalers do not know about farming, hunting these great mammals contribute to their livelihood. The only species that is off limits is the blue whale which is the ancestral symbol of one of the clans. The villagers trade most of the meat with the farmers for rice. The whaling vessels are incredibly small wooden sail boats that are fastned together with wooden sail boats that are fastened together with wooden pegs and the sails are made from woven palm leaves almost looking like mats. When a new boat has been constructed it will be “christened” with chickens blood by the village Holy Man.

WELCOME TO FLORES

Prospects for tourism in Flores are good. What is urgently needed is creativity and good planning by experienced people in order to develop environmentally friendly tourism in the religion. The creation of tourist facilities and a sound infrastructure, allied with professional management of tourist destinations and the continued preservation of Flores culture, are all essential if we want tourism to lead the way in the economic development of Flores. Tour Operators offering tour packages to Flores should introduce the island to their clients through national or international events and convince them that a visit to Flores will bring great pleasure to all who appreciate natural beauty and culture.

WHAT FLORES HAS TO OFFER

From Manggarai in the west to the furthermost eastern trip, Flores indulges its visitors with the sheer beauty of its natural environment. The famous Komodo dragons, while the three-coloured Kelimutu Lake has long earned the administration of visitors. The diversity of the flora and fauna in Flores will excite anyone who is interested in natural history, while the unspoilt hills, valleys, rice terraces, and mountains inspire a real sense of tranquility. The beauty of the many small islands stretched along the coast of Flores are special treat for people who love being under water. The white sandy beaches are ideal for relaxing in the tropical sunshine, while the sunrise and sunset to be found in Flores are matchless. Small wonder the island is often called The Green Jewel.

But Flores has much more to offer than just its natural beauty. The traditional life style of its various peoples are fascinating to watch on a tour in Flores. There are several ethnic group in Flores, each with their own distinctive language and traditional culture. But they all have one thing in common, a warm heart.

In Flores you can see traditional life as it really happens and not just witness a show staged specially for tourists.

The majority of Flores people Catholic, but must also maintain their ancient traditions. In Manggarai, for example, people still take in :Penti”, a thanks giving ceremony which is given on completion of any big project. The people Ngada celebrate their traditional new year “Reba”, when residents of  neighbouring villages also come to Ngada to join in the celebration. Everyone walks together towards “Ngadhu” and “Bhaga” , two small pavilions which have been built especially in the middle of the village to represent male and female. Also in Ngada, we can find the people of Nage, whose family relationships (called ‘Peo’) are represented by a carved wooden pole with two branches.

At Ende and Lio, the ‘Jo Kaju’ ceremony is always followed when opening a new farm. The life of farmers in Sikka is characterized by mutual help between men and women working together on their  farms, singing and shouting to one anothers. This way of motivating people to work harder is know locally as ‘Sako Seng’.

In east Flores construct ‘Korke’ a building rected in order to worship the ancestors or ‘Lera Wulan Tana Ekan’ ( Sun, Moon and Eart ). And whaling has long been part of tradition for the people in the fishing village of Lamalera, who still hurt whales in the ocean.

On Good Friday, the people of Larantuka continue to perform rituals which introduced long  ago by the Portuguese. The celebration is a sign of devotion to Jesus Christ  who sacrificed himself in order to save human kind, and symbolically follows Jesus’s pathway to the crucifixion. In the evening  hundreds of thousands people, Catholics join together asking forgiveness.

There are many other fascinating villages to visit such as Todo and Warebo in Manggarai; Jopu and Ngella in Ende; Sikka and Nita in Sikka; and Lewotala, Mudakepudu and Rita Ebang on Solor island.


THE NEED OF ECOTOURISM

Labuan Bajo is the gateway to Flores and ecotourism on the island must therefore star here. With its strategic location in Manggarai, the government and all those involved in the development of tourism in Flores should pay attention to making sure that Labuan Bajo has the facilities and infrastructure required of a tourist hub.

The development of places of interest as tourism objects in Flores should be selective, starting with the best-know places and gradually expanding until the whole island is able to develop its tourist business.

Identification of development zones is important to implement successful programs which will require a high level of inter-sectoral agreement and compromise. Flores should be able to set an example of responsible development for the next generation.

We believe that the development for the eco-tourism in Flores in this global era will be able to attract investors to the area. Investment and promotion will need to be coordinated in order to achieve best results.

Visitors have been coming to the island since long ago, both in group and as individual backpackers. Flores should be able to offer a unique product which can satisfy future market trends in the tourism industry. It is our responsibility as tour operators to make sure we create such a product.


A TYPICAL VISIT TO FLORES

If you are first time visitor to Flores, the following is the kind, of adventure you might enjoy. After exploring the world famous tourist spots on the island of Bali, you make for Flores easily reached  either by air or by land and sea.

From Labuan Bajo your fist stop is Komodo National park to see the awesome ancient dragons in their original habitat. Back on Flores, you might choose to hire a boat operated by locals in order to explorer the small island off the coast. These island will offer you breathtaking  underwater views. The Natural Conservation Studeis condected in 1996 indicated that there are about 900-1000 species of fishes, 253 tyipes of coral and 70 species of sponges to be found here. And although the local boats are very simple. They can also serve as floating hotels and restaurants.

Next you head for Ruteng, enjoying the stunning views of mountains, valleys and rice terraces along the way. The views of Lodok are particularly spectacular, gazing down at rows of iridescent green rice terrace which from a distance resemble the shape of a spiders web. Before checking in at your hotel, you can watch Caci, a traditional game in which contestants need to demonstrate high levels of skill with whips !

While if you like the sound of birdsong you should get up early and visit the forest of Mt. Ranaka. In the tranqullity of the jungle at dawn you can listen to a concert of birds singing their most beautiful songs, Bjawa is the next place on your tour.

On the slope of Mt Ine Rie you can visit a traditional village called Bena, or a few kilometers from Bjawa there is Mengeruda-Soa, a hot water spring. From there you move to Riung where seventeen small islands await you, all of the ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

The next destination on your trip is the town of Ende, reached by way of the coastal route where you hear the waves as they splash against the green rocks. You may want to stop off at the salt making village of Mbai. While on the outskirts of Ende lie Woloare and Wolotopo, two traditional villages famous for their ikat weaving. Mother work all day here to produck the best ikat cloth in the area.

From Ende you can visit Moni and see the most famaous sight on Flores island the three colores lake, Kelimutu. The best time of the day to visit the lake is just before dawn.

Jopu, Ngella and Wolowaru are together  traditional villages you may be interested in visiting before you continue your journey to Maumere, you can also stop off at the Bikon Blewut museum in Ledalero.

You can finish you cisit in Maumere and catch a plane back to Bali. Or you might decide to continue on to Larantuka in east Flores to see the twin volcanoes called Lewotobi, know locally as symbols of male and female. You can also visit Lewokluok, Mudakeputu or Rita Ebang on Solor island and also Lamalera where fisherman still hunt whales in the way they have followed for generations. But before you decide to leave, make sure that you haven’t missed the chance to take in one of the many local markets you pass on the way, held on different days in different places.


TRANSPORTATION
Air

The airports of Labuan Baj, Ende and Maumere have regular service to Denpasar, Bali using Fokker 27 planes under the management of Merpati Nusantara Airlines. Holding your return flight. How aver, please note that airplane offices in these three towns have not yet been computerized and we would recommend that your tickets through travel agent.

Sea

The ships operaed by Pelni ( government-owned-company ) regularly visit Labuan Bajo , Ende, Larantuka and Maumere  in a fixed schedule over a period of one year. Backpacking to explore small island between Lombok and Flores  island in a  wooden boat rented from  the local people  can be an exciting adventure. But remember that such an adventure might take 2-5 nights.

At the moment cruise operate from Benoa harbor in Bali, spending about 4-5 days in the waters of East Nusa Tenggara and attract middle to high class visitor.

A number of ferry harbor have been constructed such as the ones in Aimere , Ende and Larantuka.

Land
 
Visitor can take a bus ride from Denpasar to Flores via Mataram, Sumbawa Besar, Bima and Sape, Labuan Bajo. Land transportation has developed and people now have acces to many remote places. However, travelling in Flores is still regarded as something of an adventure. Taking public transportation in Flores requires extra patience as you may have to wait for departure. The number of passengers is often more than the number of seats available and local people are very ford of loud music.

Communication

Telephone communication service in Flores are only available in the large towns such as Labuan Bajo, Ruteng, Bajawa, Ende, Maumere and e-mail service are available in Ende and Maumere.

Hotel and Restaurants.

Most hotel are currently found in the regency capital cities and others such as Labuan Bajo, Riung and Moni. Standard room as with air conditioning are rather difficult to obtain.  Room facilities include traditional Indonesia ‘mandi’ bathrooms, without showers or bath tubs. Instead, the user scoops water from the ‘mandi’ with a plastic scooper.

Chinese and Indonesia food are the usual cuisines served in most restaurants. If you want to try local specialities, you may need to order a day before. Finally, it you are  a coffe addict, you really must try the beautiful smell and taste of Flores coffe.

Banks

BNI Bank has its branches in major towns  through out Flores, while Bank Danamon is only available in Ende and Maumere. ATM and payment by credit card are not available. Money changer are not often seen and the exchange rates on offer are very different from those of Bali and Lombok.

Further Information.

The following list contains your basic requirements when you consider your trip to Flores.
-    Special anti malaria tablets
-    Mosqouito repellent and nets
-    Sweaters, sport shoes
-    Towel, toilet paper
Electric voltage 220 volt
As soon as you arrive in a village you will be over whelmed by the number of children around you. In general itmay be more pleasant not to walk alone, but to have a local guide as company. Female visitors are adviced to dress modestly and to avoid wearing shorts or singlets for their own good.