It is rare to find a place so untouched by the rest of the world, but the island of Flores located in the east of Indonesia can be proud of such a title. The island possesses scenery that will captivate you instantly. It boasts clear blue seas, ancient caves and cascading waterfalls, and you haven’t even touched down yet.
Flores’s rock-strewn backdrop is formed by several volcanoes, like the notable Mount Kelimutu and are all positioned around the ‘ring of fire’, a geological hot spot. Like most Indonesian Islands, seasons are separated into both a dry and wet period. Coastal areas enjoy frequent warm breezes whilst the weather can become quite frigid around the mountains.
You could take a trip to the rugged and rocky terrain that is Komodo Island, home of the exclusive Komodo dragon or spend your day kayaking on the water and lying lazily on any of the many beaches; Flores provides the perfect place to escape to if you’re looking for a slice of serenity.
After gorging yourself on local delicacies, you could decide that it may be time to do something active. Luckily for you Flores is not short of adventure; you can head inland towards Kelimutu or any of the other 24 treks or simply take a relaxed walk that winds itself around the island to experience all the island has to offer.
The culture of Flores cannot be summed up easily, as their mixture of unique livelihood, ethnic diversity and belief systems have helped the island flourish since before colonial times. You can easily immerse yourself in the culture of Flores, as the people are keen and enthusiastic to share their intriguing lifestyle.
Traditional rituals and ceremonies continue to be performed to this day; the ritual whip fight of Caci performed by the Manggarai. Men dress in traditional costume and aim to hit each other. Caci is symbolic to the Florenese, a hit on the back is a good sign, promising that the following years harvest will be affluent, as well as any blood that is spilt is an offering to ancestors. Caci manages to pull in a crowd of both international and domestic spectators.
Flores allows you to take home an authentic experience and one you are certain to never forget. The impression the island will leave on you is no doubt one that will keep you coming back for more, again and again.
Flores’s rock-strewn backdrop is formed by several volcanoes, like the notable Mount Kelimutu and are all positioned around the ‘ring of fire’, a geological hot spot. Like most Indonesian Islands, seasons are separated into both a dry and wet period. Coastal areas enjoy frequent warm breezes whilst the weather can become quite frigid around the mountains.
You could take a trip to the rugged and rocky terrain that is Komodo Island, home of the exclusive Komodo dragon or spend your day kayaking on the water and lying lazily on any of the many beaches; Flores provides the perfect place to escape to if you’re looking for a slice of serenity.
After gorging yourself on local delicacies, you could decide that it may be time to do something active. Luckily for you Flores is not short of adventure; you can head inland towards Kelimutu or any of the other 24 treks or simply take a relaxed walk that winds itself around the island to experience all the island has to offer.
The culture of Flores cannot be summed up easily, as their mixture of unique livelihood, ethnic diversity and belief systems have helped the island flourish since before colonial times. You can easily immerse yourself in the culture of Flores, as the people are keen and enthusiastic to share their intriguing lifestyle.
Traditional rituals and ceremonies continue to be performed to this day; the ritual whip fight of Caci performed by the Manggarai. Men dress in traditional costume and aim to hit each other. Caci is symbolic to the Florenese, a hit on the back is a good sign, promising that the following years harvest will be affluent, as well as any blood that is spilt is an offering to ancestors. Caci manages to pull in a crowd of both international and domestic spectators.
Flores allows you to take home an authentic experience and one you are certain to never forget. The impression the island will leave on you is no doubt one that will keep you coming back for more, again and again.