(1)
FLORES. Named by the Portuguese colonists after the word “flowers,” the island is a paradise of lush greenery. However, time and nature’s deathly hand struck a heavy blow upon Flores and it wilted in the shadow of Bali’s teeming tourist hotspots surviving only on the dribs and drabs of holiday-goers wandering off the beaten track. Still, the meager number of visitors received by Flores is steadily increasing.
Those who ventured looking for fresh air were ensnared by that of the Indonesia’s secret gem: Flores. A landscape that cradles traditional villages, spotted with colored lakes, guarded by perfect peaks, hugged with rugged cliffs and filled with empty coasts that see the setting and rising of the sun in salmon-colored waves, such is enough to entice anyone who is lucky enough to experience this.
LOCATION

(2)
Flores, the blooming hotspot of Indonesia, is located below its more popular neighbor, Bali. An island belonging to the province of East Nusatenggara, Flores is a unique destination of its own with its impressive stretch of natural wonders both off-shore and inland.
The remnants of ancient times observed in the local culture and the vicinity’s architecture add more to its allure. The island of Flores has multiple districts: the main part of Manggarai, its eastern and western parts, Nagekeo, Sika, Ende, Ngada, and eastern Flores. This makes up the diverse attractions to discover and explore.
CLIMATE

(3)
Unlike other islands, Flores adapts to the climate of the whole country. Being near the equator, it only has dry and wet seasons. The dry season runs from April to November giving the island a longer summer due to its eastern location.
On the other hand, the wet season stretches only from December to March, in which tourists should expect a torrential downpour on most days especially in the island’s western part.
TRANSPORTATION

(4)
To get into Flores, there are two main transportation hubs: Labuan Bajo in the west and Maumere in the east. From Bali, daily flights will bring you back and forth to the town of Labuan Bajo where it is serves as a springboard in going to Komodo National Park.
Maumere has daily flights connecting it to Timor and Lombok, while Bali is catered four times a week: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. There is also an additional flight in Bali connecting to Ende, but only operates during Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Getting around the island is possible through public transportation known as bemos. It has seats facing each other with wide open windows and no air conditioning.
ATTRACTIONS
Komodo National Park

(5)
Komodo National Park is the first to bring the island of Flores into the limelight and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It encompasses the western coast of the island and is home to the celebrated komodo dragons. Apart from this, other species such as the sunbird, egret, quail, megapodes, and other land animals such as flying foxes, wild pigs, and different kinds of snakes reside in this national park.
Apart from those, snorkeling and diving will also give one an opportunity to explore more of the park’s marine life. A myriad of colorful coral reefs as well as giant clams, turtles, dolphins, whales, whale sharks, marline and tuna will greet anyone in the water.
Spider Web Rice Fields

(6)
Heading inland towards the western hills is the town of Ruteng and its smaller neighbor, Cancar, 17 kilometers further west. Traveling through these towns will get you acquainted with the native lifestyle and their thriving, remote culture. However, the main highlight of this trip is seeing the spider web rice fields.
Above the high point of Cara Villa, the stunning view of seemingly polished glass will greet you, while the dramatic hues of the setting sun will bid you a tranquil farewell.
Mount Kelimutu Tri-Colored Lakes

(7)
One should not miss the popular Tri-Colored Crater Lakes of Mount Kelimutu when visiting Flores. It is located in the Ende district near the town of Moni and is part of the Kelimutu National Park. These crater lakes are celebrated phenomena, both for the scientific community and Ende native’s culture.
Due to the minerals coming from the volcano, the three lakes change colors ranging from red, blue, green and brown at different times making each visit a surreal experience.
Flores Culture

(8)
Far removed from the reach of globalization, Flores’ culture continues to run strongly in the veins of its natives and landmarks. Bajawa of the Ngada district is among the places that still has a strong grip on following old rituals despite the influence of Catholicism. One could see the miniature traditional houses called bhaga and carved tree trunk bases called ngadhu in the village center, which represent the natives’ ancestors.
Another town that exhibits rich culture is Bena located slightly south of Bajawa. In late December, the town hosts the week-long Reba festival, wherein locals sing in traditional ikats to bring peace between man and nature.
Images:
(1.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8443/7904517682_fc45c49bde_b.jpg
(2.) http://www.pindito.com/images/bereiche/rou000039_eastflores_alor_karte_001.jpg
(3.) http://www.terrytreks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Bajawa-around-9953.jpg
(4.) https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1IQnQwKL8Sbi1z3YhPKs2MKUMZmYDourYL773Q6JFrrdYcXbHrvWaCUoJqt4i4mcJxQcz4R6mrQdfkRVz2JvDCcB7I11_AwKgEKyGN1hjN6OITLov1ubEyQDn5-C-v8bqTL2L_HNiNIp/s1600/banda+boat+005.jpg
(5.) http://www.bangjotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Komodo-National-Park.jpg
(6.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4094/4799914172_eba41accb3_b.jpg
(7.) http://cdn.audleytravel.com/1512/1080/80/234062088014005061222155171084020098127211215182.jpg
(8.) https://thirdculturekidblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/dscf2857.jpg?w=2560&h=1200&crop=1
(2.) http://www.pindito.com/images/bereiche/rou000039_eastflores_alor_karte_001.jpg
(3.) http://www.terrytreks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Bajawa-around-9953.jpg
(4.) https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1IQnQwKL8Sbi1z3YhPKs2MKUMZmYDourYL773Q6JFrrdYcXbHrvWaCUoJqt4i4mcJxQcz4R6mrQdfkRVz2JvDCcB7I11_AwKgEKyGN1hjN6OITLov1ubEyQDn5-C-v8bqTL2L_HNiNIp/s1600/banda+boat+005.jpg
(5.) http://www.bangjotours.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Komodo-National-Park.jpg
(6.) https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4094/4799914172_eba41accb3_b.jpg
(7.) http://cdn.audleytravel.com/1512/1080/80/234062088014005061222155171084020098127211215182.jpg
(8.) https://thirdculturekidblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/dscf2857.jpg?w=2560&h=1200&crop=1