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General
Information
Lies
between Sumbawa and Timor islands is an abbreviation of Cabo da
Flores which was used by Portuguese sailor in the 17th century
to identify the cape on the eastern end of the islands because
of its underwater gardens. The sea gardens extend a long most of
the northern coastline and offshore reefs and they are most
profuse near Maumere where a diving resort and and also Riung.
Divided by mountain chains and volcanoes, the island populated
by ethnic groups with their own traditions and languages.
Predominantly
Catholic, the have retained several aspects of the Portuguise
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
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
Religions
Although 85% of Flores population are Catholic. Christianity
is fused with traditional beliefs. Christianity has also being
even in smaller villages like Nage near Bajawa, where age-old
Ngada beliefs and practices have been preserved. Here, symbols
of this continuing tradition - "bhaga," which resemble
miniature thatched roof houses, and umbrella-shaped "ngadu,"
with carvings of axes, cassavas, dragons and flowers twisting
around their wooden stems - were displayed between two rows of
tall, thatched houses and stone tombs, said to contain hoards of
treasure. Gory buffalo sacrifices,
agricultural fertility rituals, take place in Nage.
Flores
Coastline
Riung :
Journeying across Flores, tantalizing glimpses of the coastline
- Riung : Pulau Tujuh Belas, "nature preservation".
Enjoying snorkeling in enormous "aquarium" siesta on
white sandy beach of Pulau Rutong, see myrids of bat colony
hanging over mangrove trees.
Ropa
Experience your trip in to a more secluded place, stay
at local house, fishing, climbing mountain, sleep in a
tree-huts. Finding ruins of past generation, who lived spreading
a long the mountain. This trip suitable for young and middle
age. REAL ADVENTURE
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