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GENERAL INFORMATION
Flores island
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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