Flores island, cape of flower

Flores Island lies east of Bali and Lombok, approximately 1800 km east of
Jakarta, between Sumbawa and Timor islands
It is about 2 hours flight from Denpasar - Bali by Fokker 27 of Merpati Airlines.

Centuries earlier, Portuguese explores discovered it as the jewels in the neckless of Indonesia Islands and gave the island its lyrical name "Cabo da Flores" means "Cape of Flowers" after the beautiful coral formations of its underwater gardens that shimmer in her crystal sea.

Flores island is one of the island on East Nusa Tenggara province. 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.
The other permanently inhabitated islands are Lembata, Adonara, Solor, Palue, Nules, Komodo, Rinca, Sumba, Sabu, Raijua, Rote, Semau, Alor and Pantar.

Nusa Tenggara [means islands in the south east], the island chain stretching east of Bali towards Australia, Flores is a skewed cocktail of lush paddy fields, arid plains, rugged hills and dense jungle. Vast volcanoes, fourteen of which are active, make Flores one of the most geological unstable places on earth. Shifts in scenery are sudden and dramatic, as if the landscape is being distorted by a fairground hall of mirrors.

Flores is a volcanic island and has unique and spectacular attractions. Flores is a home of unique culture, nature beauties and more.




Flores promises an unforgettable vacation for those who want to relax on a palm fringed beach, explore the enchanting coral playgrounds. Venture inland to discover the island's rich cultural heritage, the magnificent of "Kelimutu" - the Three Color Lakes, see the Giant Lizards - Komodo Dragons on their natural habitat, and much more .....



Flores Island is a dazzling kaleidoscope of prehistoric dragons and wild horses colored lakes and actives volcanoes, traditional villages and megalithic cultures, coral reefs and untouched beaches

The Flores archipelago itself is endless in diversity. Starting in the west lies the KOMODO ISLAND, where the biggest lizard in the world (the Komodo Dragons), can be seen. The sea around these island also offers excellent coral reefs to explore.

East of Komodo island is the main island of Flores. Unique to this island is the world famous Mt. Kelimutu with its three colored lakes.

Flores also offer traditional villages with megalithic cultures set in an untamed volcanic landscape, sunny beaches, coral reefs and beautifully hand made textiles.

Wildlife includes species of lizards, monkeys and parrots. There is also abundant marine life with reef sharks, sperm whale dolphins and tropical fish.

East of the island lies the Outer Island. Rich in colonial history, but still strong in traditional ways of living and beliefs. In the sea around these island one can also see whales and enjoy game fishing.

people and megalith custom

Predominantly Catholic, they have retained several aspects of the Portuguese culture such as the Easter parade held annually at Larantuka on the eastern part of the island and the Royal Regalia of the former King of Sikka.
Portuguese traders and missionaries came to Flores in the 16th century, mainly to Larantuka and Sikka. Their influence is still discernible in Sikka's language and culture.
 Flores came under Dutch influence c.1618. The Dutch gradually gained control of the island, although Portugal held the eastern end until 1851 and the natives were not completely subjugated until 1907.
Although 85% of Flores population are Roman Catholic. Christianity is fused with traditional beliefs.  
Divided by mountain chains and volcanoes, the island populated by ethnic groups with their own traditions and languages.
Many people still follow their old ways, by living in traditional villages and placing food offerings on megalithic stones, to appease their ancestor.

In the mountains, around Bajawa, the Ngada people still follow the law laid down by their ancestors. The Ngadanese are divided into set, clans, that have head chiefs and elders who decide over matters such as land-rights, funerals, marriages and other ceremonies.

The area Lio, Mt. Kelimutu, has a legend about four brothers who migrated from Java and formed the first Lio clans. All clan that live and form the same area, elect lords and chiefs to decide over community matters. Each clan owns a clan house where the bones of important ancestors are kept, and rituals are held. The Lio village is a cluster of houses with large high steep roofs erected around sacred stones, and megalithic.
Weaving

Women throughout Flores still hand-weave their textiles using natural dyes and handspun cotton, known as Ikat weaving. Flores textiles are rustic in color with abstract motifs of chickens, mountains and traditional houses. Some weaving areas are, Pagal around Ruteng, Wolotopo, Nggela in Ende region and Sikka nearby Maumere.

mount Kelimutu, three colored crater lakes
Mount Kelimutu has become a favourite destination, with its three crater lakes of different colours.
Set high among the mountains in the middle of Flores island is Mt. Kelimutu with its three volcanic craters, each with it's own colored lake. Most visitor make an early start to reach the summit and see the sunrise, which through its rays reveals the true colors of the lakes.

Local believe the colors are influenced by the kind of spirits that dwell in them.


Mt. Kelimutu, 1.690m fifty years ago, had three lakes, one lake was blue green, one fiery green and one red. Thirty years later, the colors had changed to blue, red brown and cafe au lait.
Now, Ata Bupu (Lake) is a dramatic dark-brown. Ata Polo are dark red-brown, and only Nuwa Muri remains aquamarine or turquoise as it apparently always was.
No one can explain the cause of such color changes except to suppose that different minerals are dissolved in the waters of each lake.

The countryside surrounding the lake, though no longer so "natural" as in the days of early Dutch visitors - some hundred years ago - is still mountainous and dramatic enough with panoramic views all side.

explore the unique Flores underwater world

Flores coral reefs, the treasure of coral reefs, rich with colorful sea gardens, giant clams, caves, and clear water that teems with more species of fish than can be found in all the rivers and lakes of Europe.
Occupying a unique position at the junction of the Australian and Asian submarine ridges, between the two distinct fauna regions marked by the Wallace Line, here is one of the world's most dynamic marine environments with nearly every species of coral and tropical fish represented.
There are three location, Labuan Bajo, Riung, and Maumere that offer facilities for snorkeling and certified divers. Labuan Bajo, the perfect location to explore untouched coral in Komodo National Park.

Maumere also offers the opportunity to explore great marine life, around 40 different dive sites in the Marine Garden of the Bay of Maumere. Dive into the crystal clear water with normal visibility of 60 - 150 yard and the right temperature of 26 - 28°Celcius, where you will see more species of fish than anywhere else and exciting marine life.

How to get to Flores

There are several daily / scheduled flights from Bali to some city in Flores such as Labuan Bajo and Maumere or Regular local ferry is also available departing from Benoa Harbour-Bali to Labuan Bajo. Alternatively, you can come through land transportation from island to other island. From Bali, you have to cross 3 straits on 2 island Lombok and Sumbawa island.

Major town or cities of Flores are Labuhan bajo in the west coast [also gateway to komodo island], bajawa and Ende in south central of the island, Maumere and Larantuka in the east.


The largest town is Maumere harbor.
The island is split into five regencies (local government districts); from west to east these are: Manggarai, Ngada, Ende, Sikka and Flores Timur.


sailing boat at labuhan bajo bay


From Flores visitors can also explore other islands of Nusa Tenggara such komodo island, Sumba Island, West Timor, Rote Island, Alor & Lembata Island, Savu Island, Rai Jua Island, Dana Island.



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