Flores island is a long, narrow mountainous island which stretches over 350 kilometers with dramatic volcanoes, mountain lakes and flora and fauna like no other island in the region. Even though 85% of its inhabitants are Roman Catholic, the island is still as ethnographically diverse as Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) itself. The capital of Flores, Maumere, has direct daily flights to Kupang and Bali and is well serviced by ferries and the Pelni ships as well as several privately operated shipping lines.
Flores ikat weaving process
The Three Colored Lakes of Keli Mutu are recognized as a natural wonder. The colors of the lakes have changed over the years, is it the changing chemical or biological composition of the craters' water causing this color change - ponder on it while you viewone of Indonesia's most mysterious and dramatic sights. Flores Island exemplifies diversity more than any other region of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT), from the varying motifs of the Ikat weavings of Sikka, Manggari and Nggela to the spectacular Three Colored Lakes of Keli Mutu contrasting with the pristine coral gardens of the Seventeen Island National Reserve of Riung. Whether giant monitor lizard watching in Damu Bay or experiencing the dusk flight of the thousands of flying foxes on Ontoloe Island - Flores Island is as diverse as it is beautiful.
Kelimutu
Flores island is the home to some of the most traditional ceremonies and rituals of both Catholic and Animalistic backgrounds. The breath taking ritual whip fighting of Manggari , the solemn Catholic Easter festival in Larantuka. Traditional boxing bouts called "sagi" or "etu" still take place on a regular basis in Bajawa inviting all to witness this age old sport which is again based on their traditional belief of survival of the fittest! In addition, relics and artifacts are to be found throughout the length and breadth of Flores Island, like the prehistoric bronze boat from the Dongsong era, called Dobo or Baobatung in a village near Maumere, where it is carefully kept by the people as an ancestral heirloom.
Labuanbajo, a traditional fishing village, lies at the extreme western part of Flores Island. It has recently developed as a local diving destination and serves as a jumping off point for the trip to Komodo Island. There are many other interesting places to visit around Labuanbajo, the petrified forest and several spectacular caves like Batu Cermin, Batu Susun and Waraloka Cave, antique ceramics have been found at the latter. Flores Island is also known as the habitat of giant Lizards know as Komodo Dragons which have been found in Manggarai, Riung, Ngada and the northern areas of Ende. The Komodo Dragon (Varanus Komodoensis) grows up to 4 metres in length and have roamed this area for the last half a million years.
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