Tour Guide, Komodo National Park, Indonesia
| 5 mins read
The island of Flores in Indonesia means ‘Flowers’, although this is something of a misnomer as there are no tulips or roses to be seen here. Instead many people come to this island, which sits next to Lombok, for its underwater vistas as this is said to be one of the best places in world to go diving. As such, you can expect crystal clear waters as well as pristine sands, and a huge number of underwater creatures call Flores home, including sharks, turtles, and rays.
Many visitors to Indonesia never make it this far down the chain of islands, but if you have the time then it is well worth checking out this part of the country. As well as the diving opportunities you can also spend time in national parks or marvel at multi-hued lakes, and this is also the home of the fierce Komodo dragon. In short, whether you want to explore the land or the sea, there is more than enough to keep you busy in this fascinating part of the world.
Here are the best things to do in Flores ;
1. Visit Komodo Island,
Komodo Island is home to a national park and is arguably the most famous spot in Flores. The park is known for its fearsome residents in the form of Komodo dragons, which are actually a kind of large lizard.
2. Admire the lakes of Kelimutu
One of the star attractions in Flores is Kelimutu which is actually a volcano, although this is not the main draw here.The reason people flock to Kelimutu is for the three crater lakes that nestle inside the mountain and each one sparkles with a different color.
The lakes are blue, red, and green, and the difference in hue is said to be the result of the different gases bubbling away under the surface.Visitors here can hike up to the lakes and it is even possible to camp close to the crater so that you get up early and watch the spectacular sunrise over the rim.
3. Go trekking on Padar Island
Komodo Island often steals the limelight in Flores but if you are in the area then a trip to Padar Island is also well worth the trip.The big draw on Padar Island is the beaches and there are three separate areas on the island which are black, white, and pink respectively.
4. Marvel at the spider web fields at Cancar
Flores is known for its fields which are actually rice paddies although not in the traditional sense.The fields in Flores are called lingko or spider web fields as the rice terraces are arranged in a spider web formation with each part of the web assigned to a different family in the area.
5. Dive at Komodo National Park
The big draw at the Komodo National Park is the Komodo dragons, so much so that many people don’t even realize that you can also dive and snorkel here. This is a shame however as the waters here are known for manta rays and massive schools of fish, although one thing to note is that the currents here can be strong and changeable, so this is a spot that is recommended for seasoned divers rather than beginners.
6. Watch a Caci dance
The indigenous people in the west part of Flores are known as the Manggarai people and they have a wealth of enchanting traditions and celebrations that are different to anything you are likely to see in other parts of Indonesia. One of these is the Caci dance where two men dance and try to fight by hitting each other with whips while dressed as animals. The dance is accompanied by drum beats and is not meant to be a serious fight, so don’t worry that you are actually going to see a violent attack, as it is more a ceremonial spectacle than anything. The dances happen in local villages and don’t usually run to a set schedule, so the best thing to do is find a local guide who will be able to tell you when the next one is going to happen
7. Go trekking to Wae Rebo. The main reason to go to Wae Rebo is to check out a tradition village inhabited by the Manggarai people, although in this case the journey itself is part of the experience. The trek stretches over 10 kilometers and will take you through sweeping jungles and over craggy cliffs, and you will also pass cascading waterfalls where you can stop for a dip in one of the limpid pools at the base. Once you get to the village you will get to see how the locals live and can enjoy some typical food and music, and even stay overnight in a round hut that is still made in the traditional style.