Well, made it to Flores Island. Getting there from Sandakan in Borneo was ok, besides a 4 hr delayed flight from the Bali Airport stop over. I could have slept in a few more hours had I known that. A very small plane fron Labuan Bajo to Ende
My driver Doddie picked me up and we began the long journey. I had really no idea how winding the roads were going to be.
First stop was at a traditional village. Had to wear traditional wear to enter.
We stopped at a coffee farm and tasted some delicious coffees … arabic and robust 🫘
Was very impressed with this coffee farm as it is a family business and they also do community service with english classes and trash pick ups. The kids were so cute I just had to sing with them.
Quite the taste test and my stomach felt it on the winding road to the village Moni, my rest for the night. By evening though my stomach had settled. After dinner I heard music coming from the café next door so I walked over to hear a great band “De Stone”. They played reggae and other tyoes of music with most of it being in English. From “Leaving on a Jet Plane” to my favorite “On the Edge of the Ocean” by Stick Figure. Finally by the last 2 dances people began dancing.
It was great. I loved it. Then I sat and talked with the band. Fun guys and met their aunties who brought me to their house to look at her shawls. I bought some small scarves as I don’t have much room in my carry on. They asked me to stay one more night but cannot cuz my driver has an itinerary.
The next morning left for Bajawa. Stop at the volcano Mount Kelimutu (meaning boiling lake) and hiking to see the 3 lakes in the crater.
Quite impressive. The colors in the lake change depending on the weather, the ash and minerals. The local people believe that the mountain is sacred and that the lakes are a gateway to the afterlife. A resting place for departed souls.
We stopped for lunch at the the Blue Stone Beach. A beautiful beach with blue stones
After that went to see the wonderful sunset with the view of another volcano, Mountain Inerie, translated to Beautiful Mother. A beautiful mountain indeed.
Next day was traditional villages, waterfall and hot springs. The traditional villages are interesting. They still are inhabited and people still follow tradtions. It is a patriarchal society. Women care for children and home while men work farming or other labor type work. The women carry the lineage and the wealth.
The waterfall was great. A little trek but with the help of these guys it was fine.
Stopped for lunch at Heaven’s Door. What a clever name for a resturant in a beautiful location.
Then we drove on to the hot springs where I stayed in for acouple of hours.
The only problem we had is that there are only a few gas stations in every town and the lines are 3 hours or more (like 50 to 80 cars in line). It is a horrible situation for the drivers, which is most everyone. They need more gas supply and more stations. Some say it is controlled by mafia.
I trust my guide to plan for me and even recommend hotels. He has yet to disappoint me. He was highly recommend on chatGPT and his reviews were good. He drives kinda crazy, but yet with precision and expertise. The roads are narrow and blind curves are all around. I trust him very much and feel safe with him. I chose this route, because I wanted to see the island and to get from town to town and to see the sites is not easy. So hirering a driver seemed the best solution. I have no regrets, but gotta tell you the drives were long.
After about a 4 hr drive to Ruteng stopping along the way at a homemade distillery with alcohol made from palm sugar.
From Ruteng we went to Hobbit Cave where tiny remains were found in 2003. They were small in stature like average of 3 ft 6 inches weighing about 66 to 86 lbs. They named them Homo Floresiensis estimated to be living abiut 60,000 to 100,000 years ago. Scientists theorize that they became extinct at the hands of Homo Sapiens. The high school aged guides were so sweet and helpful with me.
Making our way to Labuan Bajo the next day and stopping at Spider Web Rice Fields. An ingenious and interesting way to designate planting divisions.
After a 5 hour drive through winding roads we finally made it to Labuan Bajo. The springboard to go the Kimodo Island. It was a 5 day overland tour and so glad I did it. Saw so much and learned alot.
Doddie suggested I stay at Sylvia Hotel Resort. It is about 2/3 miles out of town and has a private beach. It was great, but unlike where I usually like to stay. I like to stay in walkable places close to town. There was nothing walkable about this hotel, but the ambiance and beach were wonderful. The Komodo tour picked me up and returned me here so it was easy transport.
The Komodo Island tour was fabulous. First we went to Padar Island, an uninhabited volcano that has a unreal lookout. Course you have to walk about 900 steps or so to get there, but so worth it.
Then after that little hike we went to what is calked Pink Beach. Really is pink sand. Made from red coral and other red organisms. It is beautiful.
Then off to Komodo Island to see the dragons. We were told maybe see one, but no guarantee. After walking a bit one huge komodo dragon was by the tree. We took pictures then saw another sleeping by a nearby tree.
They camouflage themselves waiting for their prey. They only eat once a month so they are not hungry now we are told.
Then we walked by an adolescent and then a baby. I didn’t know that they build a mound to lay their eggs in. They lay about 20 eggs, but only about 20 percent surrvive. They can even be eaten by their mother. They fend for themselves once hatched and scurry to the trees where they live till old enough to survive on the ground.
Then we went snorkeling for manta rays and, of course saw one huge manta. Then off to more swimming at the sand bar and for our last snorkeling we went to turtle beach.
Many turtles there as well as other colorful reef fish. Overall great tour with fantastic guides who took care of me. Company recommended by Doddie and is called Dtur.
My last day here hanging around the resort. The beach is almost empty and it’s great! Would have loved a spa or massage though. Guess the lovely beach and 2 pools have to be enough. It was a great choice for me to relax.
It was a wonderful visit to Flores Island. I will never forget it and am so grateful to Doddie, my driver and guide. I wouldn’t mind coming back to visit some day. Great memories…
