Mount
Kelimutu, with its three colored crater lakes, is probably the most amazing
natural phenomenon in Flores. Beyond that, the ‘steaming mountain’ is also the
island’s most famous tempat angker,
or mystical, haunted place. From Maumere to Moni it takes about 62km, from Ende
to Moni 51km (1 hour). Daily public transport connects Bajawa and Ende with
Moni. From Bajawa to Moni, it takes about 4 hours. Detusoko, the alternative
starting point, is located between Moni and Ende.
Scientific
explanations aside, there are many myths about the origin of Kelimutu. This is
one of the reasons why Mount Kelimutu was, and still is a scared place for the
local people. Over the years, the three crater lakes have often changed color.
At present, one of the lakes is black-brown, one is green, and one is currently
changing from green to a reddish color. A reason may be the varying mineral
contents of the water. Another explanation suggests that the changing colors
are caused by the neglected ancestral souls.
The
first lake is named Tiwu Ata Mbupu (lake of the ancestors’ souls ), the second
is named Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (lake of young people’s souls), and the third
is called Tiwu Ata Polo (lake of evil spirits). The first and second lakes are
situated close together, while the third lake is about 1.5 km to the west.
Kelimutu is a beautiful place at any time of the day. However, the best time to
enjoy this magical place is in the early morning when the clouds haven’t yet
covered the view. Many visitors prefer to see the sunrise. The most popular and
convenient starting point to visit Kelimutu is Moni, a village close to the
Transflores ‘highway’. Whereas until not too long ago visitors had to hike all
the way up to Kelimutu, there is now a paved road to a parking lot where you
can enjoy a 30 minutes walk through a lush forest full of birdsong, before
entering the lake area.
Moni,
too, is worth a stay. You can do many nice treks in the fertile surroundings of
rice fields, forests, and hills. Relax in the hot springs nearby, look at some
fine Lio ikat in the market, or enjoy a performance of local dance and music.
Another starting point to Kelimutu, and a good alternative to Moni, is Detusoko
village, which is about 33km from Kelimutu.
Kelimutu National Park
The Kelimutu
crater lakes are only a small part of the Kelimutu National Park. This
fascinating area belongs to the worldwide protected areas and is
internationally recognized by the United Nations Environment Program. Due to
its unique natural features, its high biodiversity, and cultural heritage,
Kelimutu National Park attracts thousands of tourists each year. Numerous hills
and mountains (Mount Kelibara is the highest peak at 1,731 m) give this region
its characteristic touch and provide a habitat for at least 19 rare, endemic
bird species. As in so many places in Flores, traditional architecture, dances,
and ikat weaving are still deeply rooted among the local people.
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Facilities
You
choose Detusoko Village as your starting point, you can spend the night in the
guesthouse called Wisma Santu Fransiskus , which is managed by the Sisters of
the Saint Francis Order. The nuns use the income of the guesthouse for their
social work to help orphaned children in Detusoko.
If you prefer to start
from Moni, you can choose one of the many basic to mid-range cottages or
hotels. Get ready for your hiking tour with an energetic meal from a local
restaurant or warung. In Moni you can find some small shops with a basic range
of products, and a market where you can buy agricultural products, food,
clothes, and much more for the daily life. The market opens every Monday,
Tuesday and Sunday, whereas Monday is the happening day. (Source:
www.florestourism.com)
MACHU PICCHU
Machu Picchu
("Old Peak") is a 15th-century Inca site
located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above
sea level. Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region of Peru, South America. It is
situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres
(50 mi) northwest of Cusco and
through which the Urubamba
River flows. Most archaeologists believe
that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti
(1438–1472). Often referred to as the "City of the Incas", it is
perhaps the most familiar icon of Inca civilization.
The Incas built the estate around 1450, but abandoned it as
an official site for the Inca rulers a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was
unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in
1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since
then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Most of the
outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better
idea of what the structures originally looked like. By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had
been restored. The restoration work continues to this day.
Since the site was never known to the Spanish during their
conquest, it is highly significant as a relatively intact cultural site. Machu
Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World
Heritage Site in 1983. In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a
worldwide Internet poll.
Machu Picchu was built in the classical Inca style, with
polished dry-stone
walls. Its three primary structures are the Intihuatana
(Hitching post of the Sun), the Temple of the Sun, and the Room of
the Three Windows. These are located in what is known by archaeologists as
the Sacred District of Machu Picchu. In September 2007, Peru and Yale University almost
reached an agreement regarding the return of artifacts which Yale has held
since Hiram Bingham removed them from Machu Picchu in the early 20th century.
In November 2010, a Yale University representative agreed to return the
artifacts to a Peruvian university.
Ngarai
Sianok, Breathtaking West Sumatra Canyon
Just on
the outskirts of the hill town of Bukittinggi in the Minangkabau highlands,
lies this breathtaking canyon which the locals call Ngarai Sianok. Ngarai
Sianok is located about 1 km southwest of Bukit Tinggi.Visitors can take a
private car or sado/andong (traditional carriage) from the city center to
Panorama Park which is located at Panorama Street while enjoying the cool
weather in Bukit Tinggi. From Minangkabau international airport, you can take a
rented car or minibus plying the Padang-Bukit Tinggi route to Bukit Tinggi. The
distance between Padang and Bukit Tinggi is 90 km.
Its
panorama is particularly beautiful in the early morning light when the first
rays of the sun pierce through the mist covering this deep valley that has
majestic Mount Singgalang looming at its background. Ngarai Sianok has two
steep walls facing each other almost vertically, falling to a flat bottom where
a river meanders among green ricefields.
Its height is about 100 to 120 meters and the canyon itself is 15 km
long. This gorge separates the towns of Bukittinggi and Kota Gadang on its
opposite side.
The beauty
of Sianok can be seen from Panorama Park in Bukittinggi or you can also walk
down into the gorge, where are a settlement and paddy fields. Then crossing a
bridge over the river, climb up to Kota Gadang, home of silversmiths who
produce the finest filigree ornaments. To enjoy the scenery from the Park,
visitors pay an entrance fee of Rp 3.000 per person. Along with admiring the
beauty of Sianok, visitors can also visit a Japanese bunker, built during World
War II, located at the base of the canyon. Ngarai Sianok is arguably the most
beautiful scenery among West Sumatra’s many scenic sites, to be enjoyed
particularly at sunrise or sunset.
If you
want to enjoy the beauty of Ngarai Sianok from Panorama Park, you can use the
gazebos while watching monkeys playing around in the park. In addition, there
is a 20 meter tall tower near souvenir shops where you could see the beauty of
Ngarai Sianok clearer. Alternatively, visitors could travel 2 km using private
car to small settlements and paddy fields at the foot of this gorge.