East Nusa Tenggara is a tourist destination that must be included on your Bucket List. The following are beautiful tourist destinations that you must visit in Komodo, Flores, and their surroundings.
If you are a beach worshiper or a lover of unique places, and like adventure, East Nusa Tenggara is a tourist destination that you must visit. What's more, there are several UNESCO World Heritage Sites here. Keep scrolling down, okay? There are many interesting unique places besides the famous and worldwide group of Komodo Islands.
Photo by Fajruddin Mudzakkir on Unsplash
1. Pulau Komodo
This is where the original habitat of the Komodo dragon an animal from ancient times. In addition, this animal is the only animal in the world that only exists in Indonesia. So that this animal is very protected. This island also has beautiful scenery. Komodo National Park which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site includes Komodo Island, Rinca Island, Padar Island, and Gili Motang.
Photo source: Rumah Kuliner
2. Pulau Rinca
After Komodo Island, this island is the second largest island in the Komodo National Park Area. This island is one of the favorite destinations for local and foreign tourists. Rinca Island is in West Flores and can be reached from Labuan Bajo for 2 hours by water. Known for its beaches which have pink sand, beautiful expanses of savanna, and there are Komodo dragons. Only the size of the Komodo dragon on this island is not as big as on Komodo Island.
Photo by Fajruddin Mudzakkir on Unsplash
3. Pulau Padar
This island is the third largest island within the Komodo National Park area. This island has no inhabitants and there are no dragons due to a broken food chain. Even though there are no Komodo dragons, Padar Island has views that are no less beautiful than other islands in the Komodo National Park area. If you want to visit this island, make sure you are in good health and have good stamina. Because to climb to the top of this island, tourists have to trek for 45 minutes and pass 817 steps! Also make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and wear a hat. Because the air is very hot. The best time to do trekking on this island should be between 07.00-09.00 in the morning. It doesn't stop there, this island also offers spots for diving and snorkeling with beautiful underwater views.
Photo source: https://romandhiroko.wordpress.com/
4. Gili Motang
Gili Motang is a small island with an area of 30 km2 which is part of the Komodo National Park archipelago. You can find dragons here. This island is used as a place of knowledge about exotic animals typical of East Nusa Tenggara.
Photo source: Agoda
5. Pulau Kanawa
This island is one of the favorite tourist destinations in the Komodo Islands. Here you will find white sand beaches, beautiful blue sea, coral reefs, and stunning views. No wonder this island is an attractive destination for lovers of snorkeling and diving. On this island, you can also enjoy the sunrise and sunset. The atmosphere is suitable for those of you who want to relax and forget about fatigue for a moment.
Photo source: Atourin (Web)
6. Pulau Kelor
It can be reached in 30 minutes by boat from Labuan Bajo. This island also has stunning views of the beach and sea. Many tourists visit here for diving and snorkeling purposes. Kelor Island has calm waves so it is safe for divers. Make sure you bring an underwater camera to photograph the diverse underwater life.
Photo source: Makassar Terkini (Web)
7. Pulau Kalong
If you want to enjoy the beauty of the sunset, Kalong Island is one of the beautiful spots to see the sunset which has an orange color. This island is called Kalong Island because it is the habitat of bats. Uniquely, every six o'clock in the afternoon, many groups of bats are found flying in large numbers decorating the evening sky on this island. Kalong Island is between Rinca Island and Papagarang Island. It can be reached in 35 minutes by speedboat from Labuan Bajo. Interested in coming here?
Photo source: Panorama Destination
8. Wae Rebo
Located in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. It has cool air because it is 1200 meters above sea level. The scenery is also very beautifully decorated with green mountains and hills. Uniquely, Wae Rebo Village only has 7 main houses or also called Mbaru Nilang. This place is 1200 years old and has entered 20 generations, you know! This means that the average age of one generation is 60 years. This village has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012.
But did you know that Wae Rebo Village actually has an ancestor who is of Minangkabau blood from West Sumatra named Mpo Maro? Yes, Empo Maro migrated from West Sumatra to Labuan Bajo because of slander and death threats against him. So he ran to Flores Island. Over time, he finally found a wife and married her. Then he asked his wife to move in with him. One night, Maro dreamed that he met an elder who told him to stay and develop in Kampung Wae Rebo. Maro followed what the elder said. He and his wife also searched for the Wae Rebo Village. After arriving in Wae Rebo, Maro, and his wife lived and settled there.
Another uniqueness of this village is that it only has 44 families. Their livelihood is farming, especially coffee, cloves, and tubers. Apart from cooking, taking care of children, and weaving, the activities of the women in Wae Rebo Village are farming and helping the men with the gardens. The people of Wae Rebo apply and maintain a way of life based on customs inherited from their ancestors from generation to generation. Make sure you stop by this village besides visiting the Komodo Islands!
Photo source: Kelimutu.id (Web)
9. Danau Kelimutu
It is located in Pemo Village, Kelimutu District, Ende Regency, Flores. This lake is at the top of Mount Kelimutu. It has three colors namely blue, red, and white. According to the beliefs of local residents, the three colors found in the lake have their own meaning and are very powerful natural forces. It does sound a little mystical. The blue lake or Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai is a gathering place for the souls of young people who have died. The red lake or Tiwu Ata Polo is a gathering place for the souls of the dead who during their lifetime did evil things such as witchcraft. Meanwhile, the white lake, or Tiwu Ata Mbupu is a gathering place for the souls of parents who have died. But in fact, the LIPI research team concluded that the changing colors of the three Kelimutu Lakes were the result of volcanic mechanisms in the area. This place was first discovered by a Dutchman named Van Such Telen in 1915. And this place is increasingly known and visited by tourists and scientists after Y. Bouman described it in his writings in 1929.
Photo source: Indonesia Kaya
10. Goa Rangko
Not many people know this one place. Rangko Cave or also known as Crocodile Cave has beautiful stalactite beauty and is also filled with clear, salty water. Anyone who visits this cave will be amazed by its beauty. You can also swim while enjoying the beautiful view of Rangko Cave.
Photo source: Wikimedia
11. Liang Bua
Liang Bua is the local language that means cool cave. This place is the site of a prehistoric settlement, so many researchers come to do research. But this place is also open to tourists. Liang Bua was discovered by a Dutch archaeologist named Theodore L. Verhoeven. Previously, this place was a prehistoric human habitation. Because here researchers have found the skeleton of Flores Man (Homo Floresiens) at a depth of 6 meters. Dating from 18,000 years ago, Manusai Flores is 100 cm tall and weighs 25 kg. In addition, here also found the skeleton of turtles, lizards, and ancient elephants.
Photo source: Trip Advisor
12. Manta Point
This place is the most popular tourist destination in Labuan Bajo. Because this is where diving is fun for beginners and experienced divers. Apart from being a diving spot, as the name implies you can see Manta fish or also known as giant stingrays.
Photo source: Backpacker Jakarta
13. Desa Tradisional Bena, Bajawa
Apart from Wae Rebo Village, another village in East Nusa Tenggara called Kampung Bena must also be included in your Dream Destination List. This village has its own characteristics. Here tourists can see houses built in traditional style and the people still adhere to the traditions of their ancestors. That's why this village has its own charm. The natural panorama is also amazing. Because the tourists will be presented with an amazing view of Mount Inerie, as well as being the backdrop for Bena Village.
Photo source: Backpacker Jakarta
14. Cunca Wulang
If you want to pamper your eyes and refresh your mind, visit Cunca Wulang. Cunca Wulang is a valley with fantastic views and exotic waterfalls. This place is also an Instagramable spot so you can take photos of the natural surroundings or just take selfies and share them on your Instagram feed.
Photo source: Mongotrip.com
15. Atol Mangiatan
Around Mangiatan Island, there are many atolls that are shaped like the number 9 or a ring with a brownish-white color, and there is also a lake or lagoon in the middle. This is what attracts tourists to come here to enjoy the scenery or dive. If you are on vacation to the Komodo Islands, don't miss this one tourist destination.
Photo source: Tuan Violet (Wordpress)
16. Sawah Lingko
Swah Lingko or Spider Web Rice Field is a rice field that looks like a spider's web. Here tourists can enjoy the beauty of the unique rice field views. Perhaps, the Sawah Lingko is the only rice field in the world that have a spider web-like shape. Why does it look like a spider's web? This pattern is closely related to the use of land belonging to each local customary community and the distribution of agricultural land which must be based on custom. Usually, this place is visited as the next tourist destination for tourists after visiting Wae Rebo Village.
Photo source: Inbisnis.id
17. Taka Makassar
Taka Makassar is a small island that appears at low tide. It is smaller than a football field. A small island that can only be seen at low tide. Surrounded by various kinds of coral reefs, which adds to its natural beauty that will dazzle anyone's eyes. If you can't see Taka Makassar, of course, you can find it while snorkeling or diving.
Photo source: Phinemo.com
18. Gili Lawa Darat
Gili Lawa Darat has fantastic views, both at sea and on land. This place has an iconic spot where there are two islands in the middle of which there are waters (a kind of strait) flanked by two islands. It's not complete if the tourists haven't taken pictures of the beautiful scenery in the background. Activities that can be done here are trekking to the top of the hill to see the amazing scenery. Make sure you are in good health, wear comfortable footwear such as sneakers, and hats, and don't forget to use sunblock. Here, you can also enjoy the beauty of sunrise and sunset.
Photo source: Komodo Tour Boat
19. Pink Beach
As the name suggests, this beach has pink or pink sand. Did you know that Pink Beach on the Komodo Islands is one of seven beaches in the world that has pink sand? This place is also a place that is visited by many tourists for snorkeling and diving. Because it has beautiful and diverse underwater life.
Photo source: Tempatwisata.pro
20. Goa Batu Cermin
This one tourist destination has its own uniqueness. The name Batu Cermin Cave itself comes from the local language, namely, Goa Watu Sermemng. Watu means Stone. While Sermeng means mirror. That's why it's called the Mirror Stone Cave.
However, this cave is called "Stone Mirror" because of the sunlight that enters the sidelines of the cave. Then the sunlight that enters the cave seems to reflect its light on the other stones which act like mirrors. So that the reflection can illuminate all the rooms in the cave. how cool!