This island is one of the biggest islands in East Nusa Tenggara, and one with major tourist objects of various nature. Being in the western end of the province, it enjoys more friendly climate compared to others of the eastern part.
It is unwise to generalise everything about the Florinese, as every part from the west to the east of this island has people with notable difference of character, language, and other cultural aspects. Even the nature shows difference.
The world famous Komodo dragon that is the only survivor of pre-historic reptile, inhabit Komodo and Rinca island in west Flores (Manggarai regency) which has been established as a national park. In the central part of the island, another natural wonder exists: the tri-colour lakes of the Kelimutu. These lakes are actually craters of Mt. Kelimutu, that display different colours (dark blue, burgundly red, and light green). East Flores has great religious rituals and ceremonies (Christmas, Easter, Good Friday) involving almost all members of every family. It is recommended to check the list of events in order not to miss these great attractions.
Flores has quite memorable dive-sites, from Komodo island in the west, Maumere Bay, Riung, to Alor archipelago in the east.
Bikon Blewut Museum
This is a museum, privately own by Catholic Church. The collection, that was started by Father Verhoeven in 1950 at Matalako Seminary, is relevant to the local culture covering from artifacts from Neolithic era, ikat textile from all over East Nusa Tenggara, musical instruments, weapons, ceramics, fossils, gems, variety of statues, and many others of specific nature. The strong point of the collection is not on the quantitve measure, but the uniqueness of every article. The exhibits reflect the cultural history of Flores and East Nusa Tenggara. The museum has been moved to Ledalero.
Dive sites / Marine Park
West Flores: Sebolan Kecil, Sebolan Besar, Tatawa, Siaba, Sebayur, Pumu, Komodo Red Beach
# Seventeen Island marine park - Riung
East Flores: Maumere Bay - Pasir Sari, Pamana, Besar Island, Maragajong, Pangabatang, Babi Island, Tanjung Darat, Wailiti, Pertamina Reef, Wair Beler, Waiterang
# Teluk Hading marine park
On-land Natural objects / Recreation
# Komodo National Park
# So'a : Hotspring, panorama
# Kelimutu tri colour lakes, hotspring in Koanara, Moni and Detusoko
# Waiwerang beach, Bola, Watublapi
Larantuka: beach and hotspring, Kawaliwu beach
Hand-woven textile / Art products
In Sikka, Ndona, Ende, Jopu, Wolotopo, Nggela
Cotton thread - hand spinning technique by woman weavers of Lembata
Festivities / traditional dances:
# Ledek (war dance), Togo Gong (marriage), Leke (welcoming visitors)
Mure dance (nobility), Gawi
Sanda, Reba (Welcoming New Year), Ngadhu, Baga, Sagu Alu
# Lamalera whale hunting
Traditional village & Historical remains:
# Waicicu, Benu, Aimere
# Bung Karno Museum, Traditional villages of Wolotopo, Nggela, Wolowaru
# Old King Palace in Sikka, historical remains in Bola and Nita
# Larantuka church, Lewoleba village, Kawaliwu traditional houses, Waiwerang market
KELIMUTU NATIONAL PARK
This 5,000 ha park is situated in the south central Flores, approximately 53 km to the south west of the town Maumere. The most notable features of this park are the three volcanic lakes, which lie at the 1,690 m peak of mount Kelimutu. each lake is coloured differently due to the chemical composition of its water. Periodically the lake colours change. the lakes are culuturally important of the area and are named in accordance with this spiritual impotance. Tiwu Ata Mbupu is the lake of the spirits of older people. Tiwu Nuwa Muri Kooh Fai is the lake of the spirits of young people, while Tiwu Ata Polo is the lake of the spirits of whishes. Facilities in the park 's vicinity include an information centre, accomodation, rest spots and a parking area. In the nearby village of Moni, local villagers stage a traditional dance display twice a week and local weavings can be brought at the local market throughout the week.
MAUMERE BAY
This 62,450 ha park is situated in the Flores Sea to the north of Maumere. The park protects an area of beautiful beaches and the coral reefs in the area are good for diving and snorkelling to view the great variety of ornamental fish and corals. the nearby 1,700 m Mt. Egon can be climned and there is a saltware lake on Sukun Island.
Traditional fishing villages provide a base to explore local culture and ways of life. The Anthropology Museum in Ledalero has good displays of local artifacts. The main entrance point for this reserve is the town of Sikka.
Maumere can be reaced by air, sea and land. Transport is regular. There are a couple of dive centres in Maumere, along with a range of accomodations and an information centre.
TUJUH BELAS PULAU
This terrestrial part pf marine park is situated on the island of Flores. This reserve is 9,900 ha in extent and lies about 70 km to the north of the town of Bajawa. It protects a number of small islands (actually more than 17) with small patch reefs of high diversity in terms of corals and marine fish and large expanses of magrove forest. On the island of Ontoloe, there is a very large fruit bat colony (Pteropsus veropirus), which roosts in the taller mangroves on the north side of the island. There are several thousands bats, which are thought to forage as far afield as Bajawa for food. Snorkelling is a popular activity.
This reserve can be reached by road direct from Bajawa or via sea from Labuan Bajo in about 8 hours. From Denpasar a twin otter flight takes an hour and forty minutes calling in at Bima, Labuan Bajo, ruteng before Bajawa. Facilities in the small town of Riung include homestays and bungalows, a small restaurant and an information centre. To reach the island, local boats can be chartered from the Riung fishing beach. This resort, located in Riung on the north coast, is for nature lovers and explorers as well for researchers. Beautiful sea garden with colourful marine life, bat forest island, are the main powerful addition to the exotic panorama.
Prolong your stay, dive in the "Seventeen Island of Riung", "tropical forest paradise" at the bottom of the sea.
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