One thing first: Flores is a very unique and wonderful island with a lot of big points of interest, nice people and some special spots of nature. So, it is really worth to spend  time there for 8 - 10 days. And there are much less tourists than at Bali or Java.

We booked at Marleno a 10 days tour, including 3 days private boat trip at Kommodo because of good recommendations at internet, nice contact before and fair prices. So long - so good.But our experience was like this: first, Marleno didn't guide himself, he sold us to another agency with another guide. So, we had the smallest car of all groups at the island and not every point of interest was reachable because of the car was too small. We had to take a moto-taxi. And the guide spoke english not very well, so we didn't learn so much about the culture, the religion, the nature of the island. No contact to local people, no ceremony, really disappointing. She didn't like to walk, no fitness, only smoking...And last but not least: Marleno and guide Elisabeth forced us several times to pay the last part of the money before end of the tour. The reason was because of they wanted to change the programm, we allways get the feeling, they wanted to make it as cheap as possible, and allways the wishes of our guide: "give me the last money..."So, some advices for travelling through Flores: make sure you have a good car and a good english-speaking guide! Allways reserve a part of the agreed money until the real end of the trip to get any ensurance.Some things to cheer up: most of our homestays were really good with nice people and good breakfast.