Flores is derived from the Portuguese word meaning “flowers”. The story brings us back to 1544. There was a Portuguese boat sailing from Jayakarta or Batavia which is Jakarta today to Mollucas for spices purposes. They had a problem with their boat caused some of the boat-men had to check the bottom of the boat, but they stayed longer then it should be.Finally, they reported to their Captain that the problem has been fixed but they stayed longer because of the beauty of the sea garden beneath the sea. They have found its colorful sea corals and uncountable colorful fishes. The captain decided to dive and proved it then named that island : Cabo da Flora, late become Flores.
Flowers are not on the island, but under the sea, though we can find a lot of flowers on this island.
Flowers are not on the island, but under the sea, though we can find a lot of flowers on this island.
Flores is a part of the immense chain that comprises the archipelago of Indonesia. It is a long, narrow and rugged island marked with dramatic volcanoes (12 volcanoes still active) and beautiful mountain lakes (7 lakes) and forests. It has many endemic species of flora such as rattan, bamboo groves, mosses, and many species of high-elevation trees. Near sea level, monsoon forests dominated by thorny bamboo are widespread.
At present there are 1.5 million people living in Flores which 95% are Rome Catholic, 5% are Mosleem and Hindu. Christianity was brought to Flores by Portuguese, who first established bases in Solor, Larantuka and Sikka-Maumere.
Flores island is a remote and mountainous island lying about 800km from Bali to the east. Today Flores is included in the East Nusa Tenggara Province. They are in the process of having their own province called FLORES Province.
How to get there…
Flores is only 1 hour 20 minutes by FK-28 from Bali or 2 hours by FK-27 or 14 hours by fast ship (operated every Sunday and Monday ONLY). There are at least 3 cities can be reached by flight from BALI. They are: Maumere on the north of the island, Ende on the south and Labuanbajo on the west. Denpasar - Maumere vv by FK-28 daily flight operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Pelita Air service, while Denpasar-Ende vv, 3 times in a week by FK-27 operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Fokker-28 by Pelita Air Service while Denpasar-Labuanbajo vv, 4 times in a week by FK-27 operated Merpati Nusantara Airlines and GT Air.
Flores is only 1 hour 20 minutes by FK-28 from Bali or 2 hours by FK-27 or 14 hours by fast ship (operated every Sunday and Monday ONLY). There are at least 3 cities can be reached by flight from BALI. They are: Maumere on the north of the island, Ende on the south and Labuanbajo on the west. Denpasar - Maumere vv by FK-28 daily flight operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Pelita Air service, while Denpasar-Ende vv, 3 times in a week by FK-27 operated by Merpati Nusantara Airlines and Fokker-28 by Pelita Air Service while Denpasar-Labuanbajo vv, 4 times in a week by FK-27 operated Merpati Nusantara Airlines and GT Air.
Is Flores attaractive??? The answer is absolutely : Yessss…
If we have had 7 WORLD WONDERS, WTO should soon announces that there are 2 more, one is in FLORES and Komodo islands. That is Varanus Komodoensis, the giant lizard, 2,50- 3.00 meters long and 1 meter high. These animals are easily found in Komodo, Rinca, Padar and Flores on the west part. This is a pre historic animal same age as dinosaurs. Then another WORELD WONDER is The Three Colored Lakes KELIMUTU. You will not find this at the other part of the world. They are light turquoise, olive green and dark black. These colors ever seen as red, blue and white in period 1900 - 1970. Once was green, red and brown. YES, it is very beautiful. I have witnessed my Dutch and American clients who were cried on the top of the mountain while enjoying this beauty of God’s creation.
Flores has many unique and spectacular tourist attractions. They are mountainous, rivers, valleys, traditional villages, cultural dances, hand weaving which has different color and motives in every area. We have at least 10 different types of fabrics. Flores’ volcanoes invite visitors to climb or at least to have pictures, its ocean attracts tourists to dive and snorkel. Is that enough? No, visitors may visit the whole island to experience the different way of life of the locals, some are very similar to the south pacific type of people and some are very similar to the Yunan or Thai people, YES the Miao or Meo people.
I do hope the above story will give you view or sight on the island of Flores.
Should you need more information about this beautiful island, please do not hesitate to contact us.
If we have had 7 WORLD WONDERS, WTO should soon announces that there are 2 more, one is in FLORES and Komodo islands. That is Varanus Komodoensis, the giant lizard, 2,50- 3.00 meters long and 1 meter high. These animals are easily found in Komodo, Rinca, Padar and Flores on the west part. This is a pre historic animal same age as dinosaurs. Then another WORELD WONDER is The Three Colored Lakes KELIMUTU. You will not find this at the other part of the world. They are light turquoise, olive green and dark black. These colors ever seen as red, blue and white in period 1900 - 1970. Once was green, red and brown. YES, it is very beautiful. I have witnessed my Dutch and American clients who were cried on the top of the mountain while enjoying this beauty of God’s creation.
Flores has many unique and spectacular tourist attractions. They are mountainous, rivers, valleys, traditional villages, cultural dances, hand weaving which has different color and motives in every area. We have at least 10 different types of fabrics. Flores’ volcanoes invite visitors to climb or at least to have pictures, its ocean attracts tourists to dive and snorkel. Is that enough? No, visitors may visit the whole island to experience the different way of life of the locals, some are very similar to the south pacific type of people and some are very similar to the Yunan or Thai people, YES the Miao or Meo people.
I do hope the above story will give you view or sight on the island of Flores.
Should you need more information about this beautiful island, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thank you for reading and listening my story. Have a good time.
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