Komodo Island (East Nusa Tenggara)

A small island of 280 square km, Komodo is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. It is famous for its giant pre-historic lizards, considered the last of their kind remaining in the world today.

Called “ora” by the local people, Komodo “dragon” (Varanus Komodoensis) is actually a giant monitor lizard. Growing up to 3 to 4 meters in length, its ancestors roamed the earth up to about half a million years ago.

The only human population on the island is at the fishing village called Komodo who suppiment their income breeding goats which are used to feed the li¬zards. The Komodo is protected by law and although they are considered harmless, it is advisable to keep them at a distance.

Komodo Island is now a nature reserve, home to a number of rare bird species, deer, and wild pigs, which are prey to the lizards as well. This island can be reached by boat from Labuan Bajo.

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Mt. Kelimutu (East Nusa Tenggara)

East Nusa Tenggara’s most-visited natural wonder and one of Indonesia’a most mysterious and dramatic sights, is found on top of this mountain, some 66 km from Ende, or 83 km from Maumere. The spectacular view of its three crater lakes, each with a distinct color, is not only a major tourist attraction, but the stuff of myth and legends.

The lakes have continuously changed their colors over the years: today the largest is light turquoise, the next olive green and the third black. The local people believe that the souls of young people go to the first when they die, the old to the second, and the black lake is reserved for thieves and murderers.

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Semau Island (East Nusa Tenggara)

Thirty minutes by boat from Kupang, this untainted island paradise is well worth a stopover. The surrounding crystal-clear waters offer exceptional snorkeling and swimming.

Bamboo bungalows are available on the white sandy beach, and you can barbeque your freshly-caught dinner while enjoying a spectacular sunset.

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Maumere (East Nusa Tenggara)

A port town on the northeastern coast of Flores is a good place to stopover on the way to Ende or to Larantuka. It is well connected by air with Kupang, Denpasar and Ujung Pandang, and is noted for its good beaches.

The bay of Maumere is considered the best diving spot in Flores, a paradise for divers, underwater photo¬graphers, and anyone interested in marine biology. Ledalero museum on the outskirts of Maumere has an interesting collection of ethnological objects from the region.

Visitors are welcome but advance arrangements should be made. Ledalero is also home to a major Catholic Seminary where many Florinese priests are trained.

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The best diving in the world (NTT)

With an average 200ft and an outstanding display of marine habitat, Flores is a heaven for divers, snorkelers, photographers and marine biologist. With up to 40 m visibility, the coral reefs of Flores Sea are among the best in the world and beautifully preserved.

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The Komodo Islands (East Nusa Tenggara)

The islands of the Komodo Dragon: Rinca & Komodo Islands are part of the complex of 175 islands (about 90% unhabitant), situated 200 nautical miles east of Bali, between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa.

Both above and below the sea Komodo represents a unique range of geological and biological diversity.

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Larantuka (East Nusa Tenggara)

A little port nestled at the base of a tall hill at the eastern end of Flores; Larantuka has a strong Portuguese cultural heritage. The annual Easter Procession held in this town is well worth the trip if you are here at this time of the year.

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Lamalera Whale Hunting (East Nusa Tenggara)

Lamalera on Lembata Island is a whaling village. The months of May to September are the whale hunting season for the people of Lamalera. Using simple traditional tools as small row boats and hand-thrown harpoons, the hunters sail out to hunt these giant creatures of the sea.

The catch is either consumed or sold.

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Ende (East Nusa Tenggara)

This town contains the home-in-exile of the first Indonesian president Soekarno during the early period of nationalist movements in 1936. The house has been repaired and is today a museum.

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