FLORES

The fertile, diverse highland barrier between the Savu and Flores Seas, forms one of the most staggering landscapes in the Indonesian archipelago. The volcanic spine of the Flores Island soars to 2500 m and the torrential rain falls result in an extraordinary lushness that marks this land apart from its scorched neighbours.

This is not the only difference, though. The religious orientation on Flores, surrounded by its Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist and Animist siblings, is a puzzle – most of the population are Catholic. Perhaps, this is the legacy left behind by the Portuguese traders together with the beautiful name, the island got given – Flores, which means “flowers” in Portuguese.

Nevertheless, Flores is still a large part of Nusa Tenggara and similarly to its sister-islands of Lombok, Sumba or Sumbawa, life here turns around weaving the finest ikat, fishing and worshipping the ancestors and their ancient beliefs. Flores is a domain of mystical cultures and peculiar customs but also untold natural splendour. The imposing cones of volcanoes and impressive underwater coral gardens are like magnets for tourism. Flores has rightfully become the favourite tourist destination across Nusa Tenggara.

10 THINGS TO DO IN LABUAN BAJO

Embark on an exciting journey to meet the Komodo Dragon, bask on the Pink Beach, jump off the 12-metre high Cunca Wulang waterfall cliff, take a selfie on the insta-famous Padar Island and watch the Manggarai men 'whip fight' while performing the traditional Caci dance. These are 10 top-rated tourist attractions in Labuan Bajo - the capital of West Flores.

TOP EXPERIENCES IN WEST FLORES

Pulau Flores is packed with extraordinary attractions. Magic and occult are the major features throughout the island, and this is a destination almost exclusively for adventurers. The western territories not only lead to the last living dinosaurs on our planet but also to spectacular volcanoes and the unique tribes whose culture has only little changed over the centuries. Today, the foreign visitors come to West Flores to gain insight into the Florenese mystic culture - often spooky yet magnetizing.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF EAST FLORES

Portuguese traders and missionaries were fascinated by East Flores already in the 16th century. The volcanic sceneries here are exceptionally attractive, both on land and underwater. In spite of that, tourism in East Flores is quite overshadowed by its more popularized western regions, albeit, paradoxically, there is something that almost every visitor in Indonesia comes to see - Kelimutu. The famous tri-coloured crater lakes made Flores one of the most visited Indonesian islands. And there is much more to discover...