7 Reasons to Put Flores on Your Bucket List

Good evening everyone, at this opportunity, I would like to introduce to you about one of magnificent island in Indonesia. Can you guess what?

But before that, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Gilang Negara. You call me gill. I am standing here as a travel blogger and also consider myself a flash packer. What is a flash packer? I will let you know later on.

Ok, now, let me introduce you about the island that I mentioned before.

Flores Island

It is located on East Nusa Tenggara province. Let me explain, this is Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo islands, Flores, Lembata  island, Alor Islands, and Timor island.

How to get there? From Jakarta, you can take a flight to Bali, then go to Labuan Bajo for 1.5 hours on its west part or fly within 2 hours to Maumere on east part. Or, you can take flight to Lombok island. But from there, you may take a ferry or vessel to go to Flores Island by sea. You may transit in some city such as Bima and Sape in Sumbawa island. This trip would take around 12 hours, even more. Of course it is cheaper than by airplane.

Flores comes from the word “Flowers” in Portuguese. Yes, this island is influenced by Portuguese during its colonial period. You can see the data below.

Ok, now..

Why this island become special? I am going to tell you for 7 reasons to visit Flores.

In 2007, I worked with my office colleague when we were construction project amusement park in BSD City. He is Canadian. When I asked him which part on Indonesia that he want to visit most, surprisingly, He answered with: “ I want to see the last dragon live on earth.” 

The first.

Yes, it is Varanus Komodoensis. Some may call it the last dragon, while others call it the last dinosaur.  This is become the main reason why everyone want to visit Flores. Komodo lives in Komodo National Park. There are two big islands that become a habitat for Komodo. The komodo island itself and Rinca island. And small number on some part of Flores island.

According to the guide, the number of Komodo who live there are approximately 3.700 animals on each island. Here, you can see komodo at their best. Living in their natural habitat with no cage, sometimes they act aggressively. They hunt and eat deer, buffalo, cow, and chicken.

On 2012, Komodo is officially become one of the New  Seven Wonder of the world.

All four pictures were taken from Internet. You may wish to see another pictures of mine at GooglePhoto : +gilang negara 

The best time to visit the island is during September-October. On this months, the komodo will  go outside their nest after reproduction season. You may to wish they come and stay for a while below particular house kitchen. Komodo can detect their food, for example, a meat from far. You don’t want to stand near them when they are hungry. They run very fast. Once they bite you, you could die within 1 week due to infection. Because on its mouth, there are more than thousands bacteria lived there.

The Second,

Pink beach. This is also become one of the reason the travelers come to Komodo. This beach is located at Komodo island. Just go with boat 15 minutes with boat from the main harbor.  Do you believe? The beach here is truly pink. This is because the white sand mixed with corals. You may wish to know that there are only three to five pink beaches in the world. Three on them are in Indonesia. But here in Komodo, it has the most pink beach.You can also do snorkeling here. The underwater world are outstanding. Better than Gili Trawangan in Lombok.

The Third,

Komodo islands National Park also has magnificent underwater spots. We can say Manta island and batu Bolong. At this place, you can swim together with manta rays. Also, many corals live well. This spot is become one of the best diving spot in the world and that is why many professional divers come to Komodo National park.

Also, many the small islands here have an iconic shape and view. Such as Gili laba island and Padar island. Nowadays, these two islands are very famous in social media since we can see one of the best sunrise and sunset spot in Indonesia.

The Fourth

Beside the landscape, Flores has many traditional villages that contribute to Indonesian culture and architecture.

Desa Waerebo,

Located in highland surrounded by hills and it is about 1.500 meter above sea level. Cold weather? Of course.  If you want to visit, you may wish to tracking for 3-4 hours. But, when you arrive, it is all worth it. They will welcome you with some kind of ceremony. It means you are become part of their family.

Here is the picture. This village is well known for its Mbaru Niang. It is a house. This consists of 7 Mbaru Niang. It is also become one of the world heritage site preserved by UNESCO. It would need another presentation for this village.

This village actually such a form of architecture renovation. It means, what are exist there, is the new building. Some architect did renovation on 2003. Because this village has special history and giving major contribution to Indonesian Culture and Architecture.

The Fifth

Desa Bena,

This village is well-known for its megalith culture. You know, they live with stone culture. They build tombs, and altar from stone. This village located at the rim of Mount Inerie. They believe, the God of the mountain will protect them from evil. They daily activities are as coffee farmer and weaving.

Well, later on, of you can give me the best while also the hardest question, you will get this beautiful fabric as a gift. I bought it there.

The pictures of Waerebo, Desa Bena, and Kelimutu were taken from Internet. You may wish to see another pictures of mine at GooglePhoto : +gilang negara 

The Sixth

Ende City and its History about Bung Karno. Ende is one of big city in Flores. The location is on the center of Flores island. On pre-independence time, our first president, Soekarno, exiled to this city. He spent 4 years here before re-exiled to Bengkulu.. He was also arranging our Nation-guidance -Pancasila during that time.

Bung karno occupied one of the house here. Now, this house is preserved to become heritage  and become part of Indonesia’s history. Not far from this house, there is a plaza which named Taman Renungan Bung Karno. You can see a statue of our first president sit and see the see at far. He was thinking about our country.

The Seventh

The last but not least, Kelimutu National Park. This is also become one of major landmark of Indonesia. Who were not familiar with the three color crater lakes? Yes, since we are on elementary school, our teacher always told us about this place. Actually, the Kelimutu mountain included to the Ring of Fire. You know, the volcanic mointains that lies across Asia Pacific. The mountain activity is already inactive. However, the magma below the earth is still active and it is influencing the color of these 3 lakes. In some particular time, one of the lake turns black, and some other turns green.  This place is also well-known for one of the best sunrise spot in Indonesia.

The Closing

Beside those seven reasons, Komodo national Park has many islands that have photogenic  views. I can name it such as: Padar Island, Gili Lawa Island, Kanawa Island, and Kelor Island. on these islands, you may see a wonderful sunrise and sunset. These islands also have many beautiful beaches and hills. One of the best resort at Komodo national Park is located at kanawa island. Suitable for honeymoon couple.

My opinion, the best time to visit Flores island is during September-Octover. You can get a dramatic views that you can see a dry-yellow hills facing the blue ocean.

So, for conclusion, you must put Flores island and komodo national park on your bucket list. It is suitable for adventure, cruising the sea, diving with your family, traveling with kids, because it is kids friendly, and the most important thing is Flores is suitable for couple during honeymoon time.

See you there!!

Note: This writing was prepared for Business Comuunication course in Gadjah Mada University. The lecture was asking his student to prepare individual presentation of eight minutes about product, place, and/or activity. And then, he was asking us to presenting it in the front of our classroom.

Some pictures was taken from internet and my apology that did not mention the courtesy.