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THE GATE OF THE RISING SUN
- FLORES and BEYONDS |
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The province of
east Nusa Tenggara comprises the string of island
shown on the map as an inverted pyramid, referred to
by some as the Gate of the rising sun.
According to legend, these islands were created when
clumps of earth were accidentally scattered by the
gods when they were creating the larger islands of
the Indonesian archipelago. Centuries ago, ships
from all over the world visited these islands in
search of species and sandalwood |
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The Land |
East nusa
tenggara consist of hundreds of islands, 246 of
which have names, while 320 are unnamed. This group
of islands is located between latitudes 118'55' and
125'01’ east and longitudes 8'03’ and 11'08’ south.
East Nusa tenggara has a dry tropical climate. The
weather is influenced by the monsoon winds. The
rainy season falls between the month December
January, march- April, and dry season may – June and
October – November.
The area of east Nusa tengara occupies an area of
49.879.98 square kilometers, and has a population of
3.500.000. it is divided into 12 regencies and one
township.
The people living in this area speak various
regional languages. Houses are designed with high
conical roofs. East Nusa Tenggara’s ikat textiles
are world famous. Its traditions and artistic
expressions are unique.
Roughly 57 percent of the territory is hilly, with
cliffs. The lowlands lie generally around the
beaches and river mouths. The tourist attractions of
East nusa tenggara are its island, seas, bays,
beaches and mountains, tradition, arts and legends.
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FLORES ISLAND
There is a saying ’’Ulu gheta leja geju eko ghale
bajo bima’’ which means the head faces the
sunrise (in the east) in east flores, and the tail
towards the sunset (in the west) in labuan bajo,
manggarai, west flores. This metaphor symbolizes a
dragon, lying with its head at the eastern end of
flores, and its tail in west manggarai, or Nusa nipa,
the name of flores island before the arrival of the
Portuguese.
Manggarai, whose capital is Ruteng, was once
ruled by the kings of Bima. The influences of Bima
and Goa are evident in prevailing titles, such as
karaeng, and in the manner of dress.
The shape of the roofs, with the buffalo horn
symbol, may be an element inherited from the
Minangkabau. The cool town of Ruteng lies at the
foot of a mountain. It can be reached by air from
Denpasar and Kupang or overland from the western
part of the island via Labuan bajo, or from
the eastern part via Ende - Bajawa.
In previous centuries, Reo was a part of
considerable trading potentials. Beside the famed
komodo lizard, the area has many attractions to
offer tourists, such as the Caci dance, a
wildlife reserve, and archeological caves.
Liang Bua is a cave 13 kilometers from Ruteng,
which not so long ago caused minor sensation due to
the finding of rare prehistorically fossils.
Ulumbu, lying far behind the mountains and
near the southern coast, has a geyser, spurting
water 15 meters high into the sky. The places,
however, is not easy to reach.
Caci is an interesting dance. Two warriors wearing
traditional clothes face each other, each holding a
shield in the left hand and a lash whose tip is
covered with dried buffalo skin, in the right. This
dance is accompanied by gong beats, and preceded by
chants, Sung by males.
Horse races can be seen in karo village,
south of Ruteg. In former times, such races drew
participants from as far as Bajawa, Boawae and even
Ende. Magic is said to be often involved. Usually
held during big holidays.
Mount Pocoranaka is the highest mountain on flores
island, and practically unexplored.
Ranamese is a big lake in the mountains. The air is
cool and sometimes misty. Good for relaxing, water
sports, fishing. Some lodgings and modest
restaurants are available.
Labuhan Bajo is the jumping board for tours
to the Komodo National Park and other areas in east
Nusa Tenggara.
Batu Cermin Cave is five Kilometers from the
town Labuhan Bajo. The grotto is 75 by 75 meters
large and contains stalactites and stalagmite.
Some tunnels are arrow and dark but in other
sunlight falls.
Historic Ende, Ende was the site of a kingdom
that excised around the end of the 18th century. The
name today refers to capital of ende regency, which
includes the autonomous territories of Lio and Ende.
The people of the area are therefore known as
Lio-Ende people.
KeliMutu is Holy Mountain with three crater
lakes, filled with water of different colors. Far
removed from the civilized would, utter silence
reigns around these lakes. The 1.690 meters high
mountain, 60 kilometers from Ende was “discovered”
by a Dutchneb van suchtelen and Le Roux, who came to
explore it after hearing stories about the mountain
which the local people regarded as the location of
Heaven and Hell.
According to legend, the man kelimutu was punished
by the gods due to his cruel treatment of the weak.
The story presumably refers to the giant Ata Polo
Ria, who ill treated the orphans Ata Koo Fai and Ata
Nuwa Muri, as well as the old man Ata Bupu. As a
punishment the gods put the giant to death.
Those three lakes are believed by certain people who
still adhere to the old ancestral beliefs to be
Heaven and Hell. The guardians holding the key of
the gates are Konde and Ratu. The color of the water
that fills the lakes constantly changes. As a
result, the red like is now light-green; the green
one has turned black, while the dark blue one has
not changed. |
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KAT-06:
Flores Explore 10 days |
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Highlight |
( Komodo dragon, red beach, kayaking, Culture, adventure,
volcano ) |
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Type |
Culture,
Adventure, Ecotourism |
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Term of booking |
Minimum 4 days before arrival date, confirmation,
advanced deposit is required. |
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Itinerary: |
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Day 01:
Denpasar - Labuhan Bajo ( Flores )
from Hotel ( Bali ) Transfer you to Domistic airport
for Labuan Bajo - Flores.
Upon arrival at L.Bajo Airport Flores, transfer
direct to hotel. After lunch in a local restaurant,
spend the afternoon by Traditional CACI DANCE.
Overnight in Labuhan Bajo Flores.
Day 02: Labuhan Bajo - Komodo Island
After breakfast transfer to L. Bajo harbor to Cross
the Sape strait by open fishing boat to Komodo
Island (approx. 4 hrs). Lunch on boat. Arrival late
afternoon at Loh Liang, then set out on foot for a
30 minutes walk to the feeding ground of the komodo,
in a small valley which ensures safe observation as
the huge reptiles attack their captive prey, their
tails lashing as they vie for the right to an easy
dinner. Return to the Boat for Dinner and overnight
on the Boat.
Day 03: Komodo - Rinca - L. Bajo
Continue to red beach, the beach with pink color
sand; snorkeling and waiting for breakfast.
after breakfast continue to Rinca island and explore
tha other habitat of the dragon, here the komodo
more wild then in komodo island, beware your legs.
then sail back to L. Bajo, arrive in labuhan Bajo
around 4 o'clock then check in to hotel for
overnight.
Day 04: Labuhan Bajo - Ruteng
After breakfast we set out towards Ruteng. On the
way we visit Pan Village, Old Katedral and Golo Curu
hilltop. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 05: Ruteng - Bejawa
After breakfast on the way to Bajawa we visit Bena,
Lang and Wage Villages, Soa hot spring. Lunch box
will be provided. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 06: Bejawa - Ende - Moni
After breakfast departure for Ende. On the way we
visit Non Bose hilltop, and Ndona village famous for
hand weavings. Late afternoon arrive in Ende. Dinner
and overnight in hotel.
Day 07: Explore the Kalimutu Lake
After breakfast transfer you to Moni, a small
village at the foot of Kelimutu lake . Start the
2-hour hike to the lake. Return for dinner and
overnight in hotel.
Day 08: Moni - Maumere
After breakfast we set out towards Maumere. On the
way we visit Leonardo Museum, Nita village famous
for hand weaving, and finally Bola fishing village.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Friday March 24, 2006
Day 09: After breakfast, transfer to Airport for
your next destination. |
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 Price:
Please don't be hesitate to contact us in
rinjaniclub@gmail.com or
+628175730415 |
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Descriptive day to day tour itinerary, price, flight
schedule, hotel/accommodation, weather condition
etc, Please do not hesitate to contact us |
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"...The expedition is exhausting, no doubt, but the sheer size
and beauty be seen to be believed. This was definitely a life
altering experience ..."
Gerrard Neve, Rinjani 2004 |
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