The Giant Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue and Cultural Park

Overview

Situated on a limestone plateau in south Bali, high on the Bukit Peninsula, 300 meters above Bali’s shoreline, is the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park that offers a grand view on Jimbaran Bay and Kuta to the west, and Tanjung Benoa and Sanur to the east with the imposing Mount Agung and Mount Batur as its background.

Focal point of this Cultural Park is the magnificent Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, that will reach a total height of 126 meters, weighing 3,000 tons, that will be taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York.

The statue depicts Lord Vishnu mounting the mythical Garuda bird, as manifestation of the conscience of Amerta, the Perennial Goodness.

At present, the 23 meters high head and torso of Lord Vishnu already stands in place. Still in construction is the giant Garuda Bird. When completed, both the head and torso of Lord Vishnu will be placed on the Garuda bird, which together will reach 75 meters high with the Garuda wings spanning 64 meters wide. The entire statue will then be placed on top of a 60 meters pedestal, so that the total structure will stand 126 meters high. The statue’s structure is made of copper, brass, steel, with gold mosaic placed on specified parts.

This incredible monument will then be visible from a 20 Km distance, and can be clearly viewed from Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu and Tanah Lot. Visitors will be able to ascend inside the statue to its chest level. From that height, visitors will look down upon the most panoramic view of the fabled island of Bali.

Unfortunately, work on the statue had stalled 16 years, but will now finally be resumed, which will take three years to complete, said I Nyoman Nuarta, Indonesia’s maestro sculptor and creator of this iconic statue. Having been postponed since 1997, this monument is projected to become an exceptional landmark for Indonesia’s tourism in this modern age.

Conceptionalized by sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, actual work on the statue is, nonetheless, not undertaken in Bali, but in the artist’sworkshop, NuArt Studio, in the mountain town of Bandung in West Java, involving many artists and experts from various fields .

Born in Tabanan, Bali, in 1951, I Nyoman Nuarta is one of the Indonesia’s outstanding pioneers in the new visual art movement since 1976. While still at college, in 1979 Nyoman Nuarta already won Indonesia’s Independence Declarators Statue Competition. Until this day, Nuarta has created over a hundred statues which all reflect modern art in sculpture which follows the naturalistic style. Most of his statues are made of copper and brass.

At the moment, about 200 workers are working in NuArt Studio in the construction of this magnificent statue. Upon completion, the statue will be sent in parts from Bandung to Bali to be reassembled on the site at the Bukit Peninsula.

As many as 13 modules of the project are currently being transported, which are expected to reach Bali late July or early August 2013. The process of reassembling will cost around IDR157 billions, even more expensive than the work on the statue itself which took IDR150 billion. It will take about 400 huge trucks to transport parts of the 3,000 tons statue from Bandung to the site in Bali. Modules will be transported in stages over the course of three years.

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue and park was initiated by members of the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Foundation, a group of influential people, that include Joop Ave, then Minister for Tourism and Telecommunications , IB Sudjana, Minister for Mining and Energy, I Made Mangku Pastika,current Governor of Bali, sculptor I Nyoman Nuarta, and a number of businessmen.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

Meanwhile, the extensive Cultural Park where the statue stands is already operating in full swing. It is a favorite venue for large convention dinners and functions able to seat hundreds of delegates, as well as stage star-studded concerts that attract the public by the thousands. Among which was the band Iron Maiden that drew crowds and tourists from throughout Bali.

 

GWK Cultural Park covers more than 240 hectares of land that was once an abandoned and unproductive limestone quarry. The GKW Cultural Park is already an attraction for both local and foreign visitors, the Lotus Pond surrounded by gigantic pillars seats 7,500 persons. The Street Theater where fashions shows and parades are held packs 2,500, the Amphitheater seats 800, and there is also the 200 square meters Exhibition area, and the Indraloka Garden, which is a favorite for weddings and dinners. There are Balinese dances daily, Indonesian cultural performances and other activities.

In the Park is the Jendela Bali Resto, which offers a fantastic view on Bali’s south coast, especially for romantic evening dining and delectable Bali cuisine. The restaurant is also open for lunch.

Since the Park is so extensive there are fun rides available on Segway 2 wheeled vehicles that can take you around the park. The GWK Cultural Park is open from 8.0 am to 10 pm. Entry is Rp. 80, 000 for foreigners, and Rp. 40,000 for Indonesian nationals, with special discounts for Indonesian children at Rp. 30,000.

Get There

Situated in the Bukit Peninsula on Southern Bali, The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is close to some of Bali’s finest sites such as Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Suluban Beach, and Balangan Beach. The Park is only 10 minutes’ drive from Ngurah Rai airport, 25 minutes from Kuta Beach, and 20 minutes from Benoa harbor and Nusa Dua.

The Bukit Peninsula is connected to Kuta through Jimbaran by the busy Jl. Bypass Nusa Dua and this is the only route in. Take this main road south to the junction with Jl. Uluwatu II (the famous McDonald's junction), turn west towards Jimbaran Bay, continue about 2 km and at the four road junction make a sharp left up the hill (signposted for Uluwatu). Continue on this road until you find the entrance to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park.

To Stay

As a favorite tourist destination, the whole Bukit Peninsula area was popularized by surfers. There are still numerous small, cheap bungalows close to the main surf points at Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, Bingin and Suluban. The area has more recently sprouted an impressive collection of high-end villas and resorts as well. Considering its proximity to the tourists’ hub ofKuta and the capital Denpasar, you can also choose to stay in those two areas.

Here are some of the accommodation options available around Garuda Wisnu Kencana area:

• Pat Mase Villas Hotel
Jl. Karang Mas Sejahtera No 88B, Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia

• Gending Kedis Luxury Villas Hotel
Jl. KarangMas Sejahter 100Y, Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia

• Bali Baliku Luxury Villa
Jl. Bukit Permai No. 5A Jimbaran Indonesia Po. Box 3022, Jimbaran, Bali

• Udayana Kingfisher Eco Lodge
Jl. Kampus Bukit Jimbaran, Jimbaran, Bali

• InterContinental Bali Resort
Jl. Uluwatu 45, Jimbaran , Bali, Indonesia, Jimbaran, Bali

• Nirmala Hotel and Resort
Jl. Uluwatu II no. 10 - Jimbaran, Jimbara

• Jimbaran Puri Bali Hotel
Jl. Uluwatu, Jimbaran , Jimbaran, Bali

• Keraton Jimbaran Resort and Spa
Jl. Mrajapati, Jimbaran P.O.Box 2023, Jimbaran, Bali

• Jamahal Private Resort and Spa
Jl. Uluwatu 1 Jimbaran, Jimbaran, Bali

• The Beverly Hills Bali Hotel
Jl. Goa Gong, Banjar Santhi Karya, Ungasan, Kuta Selatan, Uluwatu, Bali

• The Dreamland Luxury Villas and Spa

Jl.Raya Uluwatu-Gang Tegeh Pall No.69 Br.Bakung Sari Ungasan, Uluwatu, Bali

• Puri Bambu Hotel
Jl. Pengeracikan, Kedonganan, Jimbaran, Jimbaran, Bali

• Swiss-Belhotel Bay View Suites and Villas
Jl. Taman Mumbul Nusa Dua Bali, Nusa Dua / Benoa, Bali

• Langon Bali Resort and Spa
Jl. Darmawangsa, Kampial, Nusa Dua / Benoa, Bali

• New Kuta Condotel
Kawasan Pecatu Indah Resort New Kuta Condotel St. Pecatu South Kuta, Uluwatu, Bali

• The Hill Villas Hotel
Jl. Taman Giri, Nusa Dua / Benoa, Bali, Indonesia

• Park View Heights Private Villas Hotel
Jl. Dharmawangsa No.168 Nusa Dua Hills, Nusa Dua/ Benoa, Bali

Bali , Heritage Sites , Sightseeing

Kupang on Timor: Most South-Eastern Gateway to The Indonesian Archipelago

Overview

During World War II, the city of Kupang , formerly known as Koepang,  on the island of Timor,  was the hub for refueling and landing for long-haul flights from Europe to Australia. The historical El Tari airstrip that was first landed by an American pilot, Lamij Johnson, in 1928 holds many stories,  more than being a mere transit lounge and fuel depot for the few fliersback then. Today, when visitors step on to the moderinising city, one can still find traces of Dutch occupation as well as a Portuguese inherited aura. For since long before Indonesia’s Independence, Timor’s western part had been colonized by the Dutch while the island’s eastern part by the Portuguese. This division orginated from the time when these two powers fought for hegemony in the lucrative spice trade

Today, Kupang is the capital city of the province of East Nusatenggara , perched in the southwestern part of Timor Island. As one of the three largest islands inEast Nusatenggara, (comprising Sumba, Flores and Timor), Timor island is now shared by two independent countries. The island’s eastern part  being  the newly independent East Timor – or Timor Leste, while the island’s western part is Indonesian territory.  Its favorable position in the south-eastern most part of Indonesia, has made the city of Kupang  into the first port of entry  in Indonesian waters  from Australia,  if not yet as a tourst destination in its own right.

The Nusatenggara is a string of islands to the east of Bali, while Timor is its easternmost island in that string. Topographically, Timor differs from the rest of the East Nusatenggara islands. For the line of volcanoes that runs from Sumatra, Java, and on to other Nusatenggara islands, skips Timor and continues north to Maluku or the Moluccas. The cause of this is that unlike other Nusatenggara islands, Timor is in fact geologically related to Australia, and therefore has no volcanoes.While Its geographical location and long history and tradition make it culturally Indonesian.

Being closest than any Indonesian cities to the marinas of Australian yachts in Darwin, the lighthouse at the seaport of Kupang stands as the first milepost for participating yachtsmen in the annual Sail Indonesia event . Each year, hundreds of yachts cross the open seas from Darwin, Australia sailing to Kupang, and from here to visit many known as well as remote Indonesian islands, to finally dock in Singapore. The annual Sail Indonesia has brought the name of Koepang to the fore, recalling its fame in the early twentieth century.

“Indonesians laugh a lot”, said Prooke of Marlborough, UK. It’s the land of laughs and smiles."

People in Timor are friendly. They love to laugh as do most Indonesians on the whole. Traditionally, people in Kupang and West Timor were distinguished by their social positions.  The nobility here used to be called Amaf, the rulers Atupas, the commons Too, and slaves Ata. Today, ata no longer exist. Each of the social class had its own role to play in society. Yet, these classes share a mutual sentiment when it comes to tradition. The root of its heritage is so deep, making it difficult to trace. These deep rooted traditions even persisted through centuries of teachings of newer religions that were brought by traders or colonial rulers.

Look at the motives and patterns of their woven cloths called tenun ikat, and one can sense its age old heritage. Tenun ikat is the local craftsmanship in producing beautifully and sometimes mysteriously formed patterns on traditionally woven fabrics. Not only are the people proud of these cloths, but all Indonesians share the pride that these cloths are one of Indonesia’s most precious tangible national heritage.

To Do

During the Sail Indonesia when arriving yachts from Darwin start tying up at the flag-decorated wharf, local attractions like dances and food bazaars are shown at their best. The sailors would stay a few days to rest and observe the city with all its aroma and colors.  

At the newer Walikota section, some 6 kilometers to the east of town, or 300 meters out from the Oebolo Bus Terminal is the provincial Museum of Nusatenggara. It has excellent collections of kain ikat, pottery, old currency, ritual equipment, pre-historical drawings, traditional houses, and ethnographic items of daily life.

The Kupang harbor is best viewed when you stand on a promontory, 75 meters south of the bridge on the road leading to the harbor. There, you will see tens of old houses in the area.  While the Dutch cemetery is where you can see old   gravestones.

A few minutes walk from Tenau Seaport, going eastward is a monkey forest. Unlike monkeys in Ubud, Bali, here the monkeys wiill wait for you to feed them

On a hot summer day, cooling off in a swimming pool is a good idea. Baumata is the government-run swimming pool with clean pools and lush surroundings. It can be nice spending the day here, before the merry social gatherings at night.

The Governor’s Office is also one for the first-timers’ must-visits. The statue of El Tari, the first governor of East Nusatenggara stands to accompany your pose for a momentous picture.

Unlike the posh cafes in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, Kupang’s best night attractions are the night warongs at the central Terminal Kota. On Saturday nights, theangkot would flock here to drop swarms of city’s migrants and locals. Bakso (beef ball) carts, worn out shops and flea market vendors are everywhere, providing authentic attractions.

If you wish to go further out of the city, you can visit:

Oesapa, a fishing village 10 kilometers from Kupang. The lives of fishermen are interesting scenes to show in your blog.

Surfing on neighbouring island Rote’s Nemberala where left-handers’ swells come in small and fun ones, and sometimes come triple the size with powerful straight from the Indian Ocean. This place is also called the T-Land. Stay there for a week if you will, as the Rotenese are friendly and hospitable.

Get Around

Kupang has a type of local transport bearing a unique naming, called “Diskotik Berjalan”, or mobile discotheque. It is in fact another type of public minibus, elsewhere in Indonesia known as bemo, the moniker from becak motor. The minibus is heavily decorated to attract passersby and potential passengers. Not only is it visually ‘loud’, but it is also audibly deafening in a safe and entertaining way.

Do not be alarmed when you find another type of local transport in smaller cities especially in rural area like those on Savu, as bemo turns out to be a truck with two long benches in it where you can sit with no roofs whatsoever. Adventure comes with travel.

Get There

Kupang is accessible by plane or ferries. Its historical airport, El Tariwas formerly known as Penfuiairstrip, having first served an American pilot, Lamij Johnson, in 1928. Penfui literally means ‘bush of cornfields’, since the airstrip’s surroundings were heavily covered with cornfields.

El Tari connects western Timor Island with other large cities in Indonesia, which include:

Domestic flights:

Jakarta

Surabaya, East Java

Denpasar, Bali

Makassar, South Sulawesi

Maumere, East Nusatenggara

Waingapu, East Nusatenggara

Labuan Bajo, West Nusatenggara

Ende,East Nusatenggara

International flights:

Dili, East Timor

Darwin, Australia

 Airlines serving the city of Kupangare:

• Garuda Indonesia
• Merpati Nusantara
• Sriwijaya Air
• Lion  Airlines
• Batavia Air
• Trigana Air
• Riau Air
• Pelita Air

The Airport: Angkasa Pura I, El Tari Airport

Phone: +62 380 881 668 or 883 031, 882 032, 881 121, 881 395

Fax: +62 380 881 263

Email: pap1eltari@ntt.citramedia.net

Source: Sekapur Sirih Bandar Udara El Tari, Kupang NTT, 2009.

An International seaport is found only in Kupang, called the Tenau Seaport. There are several ferries from PELNI (a national commercial shipping company). They are the KM Bukit Siguntang, KM Kelimutu, KM Sirimau, and KM Awu. Please refer to the website of PT PELNI for detailed schedules.

To Stay

Accommodation faclities here are much simpler than those in Lombok, Bali or Java, but the hospitality can equal if not better. For travelers who need to recharge themselves, one of the following accommodations offers a welcome rest:

Maya Hotel
Jl Sumatera 31,Solor,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 820302 

 
Susi Hotel
Jl Sumatra 37,Solor,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 822172

Jolly Hotel
Jl Letjen R Suprapto 22,Oebobo,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821362 

 
Setia Hotel
Jl Kosasih 13,Bonipoi,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 831289 

 
Surya Hotel
Jl Tim-Tim,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 822014 

 
Astiti Hotel
Jl Jend Sudirman 166,Kuanino,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821810 

 
Dewata Hotel
Jl Tompello 17,Merdeka,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821409 

 
Laguna Hotel
Jl Gn Kelimutu 7-A,Merdeka,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 833559 

 
Marina Hotel
Jl Jend A Yani 79,Merdeka,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 822566

Safari Hotel
Jl Dr Moh Hatta 36,Fontein,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821595

Sylvia Hotel
Jl Jend Soeharto 51-53,Naikoten I,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 825191 

Anggrek Hotel
Jl Gn Fatuleu 2,Merdeka,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 833707 

 
Cendana Hotel
Jl El Tari 23,Oebobo,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821541 

 
Ina Boy Hotel
Jl HOS Cokroaminoto 1,Bonipoi,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 826228 

Kristal Hotel
Jl Timor Raya 59,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 820300 

 
Maliana Hotel
Jl Sumatera 35,Solor,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821879 

 
Nirwana Hotel
Jl Merpati 13,Bonipoi,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821617 

 
Rachmat Hotel
Jl Gn Lakaan 9,Solor,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 822161

Charvita Hotel
Jl WJ Lalamentik 30,Oebobo,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 822676 

 
Flabamor Hotel
Jl Jend Sudirman 21,Kuanino,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 832560

 
I Nyoman Hotel
Jl Lontar 36,Oepura,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 827340 

 
Salungan Hotel
Jl Nuri 14-A,Bonipoi,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 831531 

 
Nusantara Hotel
Jl Tim-Tim 12,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 832434 

 
Singosari Hotel
Jl Hati Murni 4,Oebobo,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 832120 

 
Dewi Indah Hotel
Jl Anggur 3,Naikoten I,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 831003 

Palm Beach Hotel
Jl Tim-Tim 5,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 822942 

 
Tii Langga Hotel
Jl Yohanes,Kelapa Lima,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 881724 

 
Cahaya Bapa Hotel
Jl ER Herewila 20,Naikoten I,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 821094

To Eat

What do you expect living on an island surrounded by sea? Seafood, of course. Taste the long-lived local culinary tradition . Leave the comfort of the hotel where you stay and find the corner where you can eat the local way.

Go to the 500-meter street calledJalan Garuda night food bazaar to sample the delicious grilled fish. Part of Jalan Siliwangi is also a place with open air food bazaars. The best food ever! That is what they call it when mentioning the food bazaar at Terminal Kota at night.

If you wish to try something other than fish, try the local food calledse’I, which is smoked pork or beef. Bambu Kuning Restaurant offers one of the best se’I in Kupang.

Bintang Jaya is a Javanese restaurant with clean facilities and nice ambience. Silvia Steakhouse is also a recommended place to eat fish and chips. When it comes down to chips, jagung bose, a type of food that involves corn chips, is a treat you must not miss. Find it and taste a bite of Kupang.

Several places to discover the food that Kupang has to offer:

Teluk Restaurant
Jl Timor Raya Km 4,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 833985

Istana Restaurant
Jl Tim Tim 68
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 832014

Dea-Deo Restaurant
Jl WJ Lalamentik Mal Flobamora,Oebobo,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 840310

Nelayan Restaurant
Jl Tim Tim,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 823000 

Phoenik Restaurant
Jl Timor Raya,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 825688

Tanjung Restaurant
Jl Tim Tim 126
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 825014

Oriental Restaurant
Jl Timur Raya Km 6,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 832153 

Batu Sari Restaurant
Jl Ir Soeharto 16,Fontein,Oebobo
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 825836 

Prima Rasa Restaurant
Jl Tim-Tim 130-B,Oeba,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 824501 

Pantai Timor Restaurant
Jl Sumatera 34,Solor,Kelapa Lima
KUPANG  

Phone: +62 380 825833

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East Nusa Tenggara , Sightseeing , Water Sport

The Island of Flores

Overview

Flores is the most fascinating and beautiful island. Long hidden in the shadows of its more famous neighbor Bali, the island of Flores is finally emerging as a unique destination of its own.  So, after visiting the lair of the Komodo dragons, take time to marvel at some of the wonders of Flores.  Here you can swim in pristine lakes and waterfalls, dive at one of the 50 spectacular dive sites, go kayaking among craggy coasts and mangrove shores, explore mysterious caves and be warmly welcomed by the island’s people in their rituals, dances and daily life.

Flores spells adventure, diving, eco-tours, and mountain climbing interspersed with visits to prehistoric heritage sites, traditional villages and cultural events.   

Until recently, many tourists have only been familiar with Labuan Bajo, the small port located on the western-most tip of the island, and  the taking off point for a visit to the last natural habitat of the prehistoric Komodo dragons, the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar.

Situated in the province of East Nusatenggara, Flores is a long island that contains some of the world’s best kept secrets. A chain of volcanoes stretches the length of this 450 km long and narrow island, creating complicated V-shaped valleys and knife-edged ridges - terrain that was near impenetrable until recently and has separated the island into many distinct ethnic groups.

Administratively the island is divided into 8 districts; West Manggarai, Manggarai, East Manggarai, Nagekeo, Ngada, Ende, Sika and East Flores. Further east are the adjacent islands of Alor and Lembata.

Here you will find some of the world’s most exotic underwater life.  Diving in the pristine seas of Komodo, divers find themselves swimming along with huge manta rays, dolphins and dugongs, while whales can be seen passing Flores’s east coast during their migration period.

The island itself is surrounded by sparkling white beaches, where one beach even has pink sand.   Mt. Kelimutu, near the town of Maumere, has three different coloured lakes that can change colour from time to time.

Besides Komodo dragons, Flores has been in the world’s limelight with the discovery of the Flores hobbit, or homo floresiensis, a new hitherto unknown prehistoric human species, whose remains were found in the caves of Liang Bua.

This island is indeed ancient, having been untouched for centuries, once inhabited by prehistoric men and still living prehistoric animals, as well as containing remnants of a petrified forest.  

At the easternmost tip of the island, Larantuka is famous for its Easter-week rituals that still continue the old Portuguese traditions brought here some 500 years ago. While at adjacent Lembata , islanders hunt whales manually, harpooning precariously from small boats.  

To Do

If you have one week to spend here, travel agents can take you by road across the island, from Labuan Bajo to Ruteng, and on to  Bajawa, Ende, Detusoko, Kelimutu, ending up in  Maumere, from where you take your flight out.

Ruteng is a small, cool town in the mountains. This is where you will find the unique formation of spider web rice fields at Lembor and Cancar,

At Bajawa is the traditional village of Bena, where, according to megalithic tradition handed down through generations, people pay respect to their ancestors who are believed to dwell in the conical thatched roof huts called “Ngadhu” and “Bhaga”, symbolizing the spirits of their male and female ancestors. Note the huge boulders of stones and stone seats planted in front of their houses ,not unlike the ones seen in the villages on the island of Nias in North Sumatra.

Onekore by the the town of Ende, is famous for its beautiful ikat weaving. From here stay overnight at a missionary guesthouse at Detusoko.

For adventure, take the drive up Mt. Kelimutu, where visitors must still walk another 1.5 km. then climb 127 steps to the edge of the crater, from where one has a panoramic view of the three lakes, currently green, blue and black. When Dutch geologists discovered the craters in 1914, the colours were red, blue and white.

At Maumere enjoy the pristine beach and snorkel to your heart’s content before taking your flight out.  Maumere offers great diving. There are 40 wonderful dive spots in the marine gardens in the Bay of Maumere.

If you only have a few days to explore West Flores you might want to try one of these attractions:

In the Komodo National Park it self, besides watching the dragons you can find numerous species of birds including imperial pigeons, sunbirds, egrets, quail, and exotic mound-building megapodes. There are also horses, wild pigs, crab-eating macaques, flying foxes, besides snakes, cobras and vipers. Its flora includes orchids, lontar palms, bamboo, soursop, tamarind and custard trees.

In the waters of the park live a rich variety of cetaceans, including whale sharks, marlin, tuna, whales and dolphins. There are colourful corals, nudibranches, giant clams, turtles, and a plethora of reef and pelagic fish.

Many tour operators run liveaboard tours for divers out of Bali.

When you get back to the mainland hike through canyons, watch clear water cascade down boulders into pristine pools that just invite visitors to plunge in.

Not far from Labuan Bajo are the limestone formations known as Batu Cermin, or Mirror Caves. There is also the Snake Palace, or Istana Ular, that has an amazing collection of pythons and bats. Make sure that you have a local guide with you and obey the customs here, since people believe in a mystical relationship between the snakes and the local people. Here you can also see petrified large trees.

Do not miss the legendary Caci or “Whip fight Dance”, that combines ritual, legend, mysticism and music in one single colourful spectacle. 

Get There

Transnusa in cooperation with Aviastar now operates twice daily flights from Denpasar (Bali) and Labuan Bajo,leaving Bali at 08.00 am and 12.00 noon. The flight takes about 1 hour. While starting 27 May, Batavia Air has started flying daily Denpasar-Labuan Bajo at 09.00 returning from Labuan Bajo at 10.45.

Transnusa also has 3 weekly flights to Maumere from Bali using Jet BA3-146 with 82 seats capacity. Additionally Transnusa flies Bali-Ende - Kupang(Timor) – Ruteng on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and Kupang (Timor)- Labuan Bajo daily.  Transnusa also serves Kupang – Larantuka.

Batavia Air has started operating Surabaya-Denpasar-Kupang-Maumere-Kupang flights using B737-200 aricraft. Flights to Maumere are 4 times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.

While Merpati flies Kupang-Maumere and Garuda Indonesia flies only Jakarta-Kupang (on the  island of Timor) from where you can connect on local airlines to Flores.

You can check flight details at indonesia.travel: click on Flights to Indonesia at this web's home page 

To Stay

As a newly emerging destination, the island of Flores has limited accommodation facilities, there are now a number of starred accommodation at Labuan Bajo and Maumere, and also small hotels and guesthouses.

In Labuan Bajo there is the four star Bintang Flores hotel. A number of smaller hotels are the Puri Sari Beach Hotel, the Bayview Gardens Hotel, the Gardena Hotel, the Golo Hilltop Hotel, the Waicicu Eden Beach Hotel, and smaller accommodations, called “losmen” (for accommodation facilities see www.floreskomodo.com)

At Maumere  the favoured hotel is the Sao Wisata resort, which offers de luxe, superior rooms and standard rooms. Sao Wisata is located some 100m from Manly beach. Or you may wish to stay at the Sea World Club which offers facilities for divers. . 

A number of companies from Bali also offer live-aboards on phinisi boats.

Best bet is to contact a travel agency specialized in offering all inclusive tours of Komodo and Flores, operating in Flores or from Bali and Jakarta

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East Nusa Tenggara , Heritage Sites , Sightseeing