Lasiana Beach
An ideal tourist recreation spot, where the beach faces westward
to watch beautiful sunsets.
Camplong
A lovely community about 45 km from Kupang with regular market
days and a natural swimming pool, where traditionally people
bathe, do their laundry, and sosialize. Camplong is also c forest
reserve where some scarce animals, such as deer (Cervus Timorensis),
parrots, monkeys, etc. in the reservation, are protected.
Semau Island
Thirty minutes by boat from Kupang and is certainly worth it
to stay there one whole day. No noise and uncrowded is what
this island place stands for. lt is a holiday village for everyone
and a good place to relax as it offers a haven for those from
the city. The surrounding waters is a paradise for snorkeling
swimming, and other water sports. Barbeque on the beach is desirable,
Bamboo cottages are available right on the white sandy beaches.
Maumere
A port town on the northeastern coast of Flores and a stopover
on the way to Ende or to Larantuka.
It is well connected by air with Kupang, Denpasar, and Ujung
Pandang, and noted for its good beaches. The bay of Maumere
is considered the best diving spot (Floras-Marine Resort ) as
it promises extremely rich marine life. The resort- is a paradise
for all divers, underwater photographers, and for everyone interested
in marine biology.
Ledalero museum at the outskirts of Maumere has an interesting
collection of ethnological objects from the region. Visitors
are welcome but advance arrangements should be made. Ledalero
is also a name of a major catholic Seminary from where many
of Florinese priests originated.
Ende
This town contains the home in-exile of former and first Indonesian
president, Soekarno, while in banishment during the early period
of nationalist movements in 1936. The house has been repaired
and is today a museum.
Kelimutu Lake (Three-colors-lake)
East Nusa Tenggara's natural wonder and one of Indonesia'a most
mysterious and dramatic sights that can be found on top of this
mountain, some 66 km from Ende, or 83 km from Maumere. It has
a unique and spectacular view on its three crater lakes with
their respective colours. The colours, however, have changed
continually since the eruption of Mount Iya in Ende in 1969.
The surrounding villages are good places serving as bases for
visits to Kelimutu, particularly those who wish to have a more
leisurely pace and en joy the views along the road between Ende
and Maumere, or spend more time in Kelimutu. Those little villages
are also known for their excellent weaving-all hand-made, still
using natural dyes.
Labuanbajo
A lime town inhabited by fishermen, lies at the extreme western
part of Flores. The town serves as a jumping-off point for the
trip to Komodo Island. lt is a beautiful area for water skiing,
wind surfing, fishing, and many other marine activities. Pede
Beach is an ideal place to do all this and from where sunsets
are beautifully visible.
Larantuka
A little port nestled at the base of a tall hill at the eastern
end of Flores, from where Solor, Adonara, and Lembata island
( the small islands near by) are visible across the narrow strait.
An old Portuguese cultural heritage like the Easter Procession
is held in this town, and worth seeing.
Lamalera Whale Hunting
Lamalera on Lembata Island is a whaling village. The months
of May to September make up the whale hunting season for the
people of Lamalera. Using simple traditional tools as small
row boats and the handthrown harpoons, the hunters sail out
to hunt these giant creatures of the sea. The catch is either
consumed or sold.
Waikabubak
A neat little town in Western Sumba, full of old graves carved
in motifs of buffalo- horns, man-heads, horses, nude men or
women symbolising social status or the wealth of the people.
Right in the capital city of Waikabubak, you can see the following
tombs: Kadung Tana, Watu Karagata, and Bulu Peka Mila. Tarung
village, an important ceremonial centre, is located on top of
a hill, just a half kilometre to the west of Waikabubak.
There are several megalithic tombs. The front of many traditional
houses are decorated with huge water buffalo horns from the
animals sacrificed during rituals of years gone by.
Anakalang
The village is about 20 km from Waikabubak with its large graveyard
Ithe largest megalithic tombs in Sumba ). The tombs are always
with unusual carvings. Anakalang is the site of the "Purung
Takadonga Ratu", an important mass mariage festival held
every two years, on a date determinated by the full moon.
Pasola
The most exciting ritual western of Sumba is to be witnessed
right here. Where else in the world can you see colourful horsemen
trying to kill each other.
The ceremony is in February in Lamboya and Kodi, and in March
in Gaura and Wanukaka. The main activities start several days
after the fullmoon and coincide with the yearly arrival to shore
of strange, multihued seaworms.
East Sumba
Although perharps 40% population of East Sumba follows the "merapu"
religion as their brothers in the western part the out ward
manifestations are not nearly as spectacular of frequent.
This region 14 better known for its "ikat" weaving.
Near Waingapu, Kuta Beach is a Good. place to relax, and further
down coast, near Baing (125 km from Waingapu), there is great
surfing at Kalala Beach. The waves are best from December to
May