Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
islanders are Catholic. he most
spectacular sight in Flores is magnificent
Kelimutu
, near Moni, northeast of
Ende
.
he three craters of this extinct volcano
each contain a lake of different, vibrant
and gradually changing colours. In the
east of Flores, high-quality
ikat weaving
still thrives. At the extreme west end of
the island,
Labuanbajo
has some fine
coral gardens
and is also the port for
ferries to and
from Sumbawa
. All of
Flores's major towns are linked by bus,
but these can be slow, crowded and
unpleasant. A number of private
operators, including the recommended
Gunung Mas, run faster, more
comfortable
travels
(cars and minibuses)
around the island, to strictly observed
schedules, with hotel pick-ups - well
worth the few extra rupiah.
A useful source of info on Flores is
W
florestourism.com.
pricey. You can also easily organize
dive
trips
from one of the many dive shops
in town.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By plane
The airport is about 2km away from the
waterfront; bemos run into town. Trans Nusa (
T
0385
41800,
W
transnusa.co.id), Lion Air/Wings Air (
T
0385
41709,
W
lionair.co.id) and Merpati (
T
0804 162 1621,
W
merpati.co.id) have direct daily flights to Bali, and
fluctuating services to other destinations.
Destinations
Bali (7 daily; 1hr-1hr 45min; Ende (3 weekly;
40min); Maumere 1-2 daily; 1hr 5min).
By bus
Your hotel can reserve you a place in a
travel
,
which will come and pick you up. Public buses drop off
along Jl Sokarno on their way into town; they leave from
the bus station next to the harbour.
Destinations
Bajawa (2 daily; 10hr); Ende (daily; 14hr);
Ruteng (2 daily, 4-5hr).
By ferry
Ferries from Sumbawa dock at the passenger
harbour near the northern end of main Jl Sokarno, on
which almost all of the town's tourist shops and restaurants
are situated. The Pelni agent (
T
0385 41141,
W
pelni
.co.id) is up a dirt track behind the sports field; the
ASDP o
ce (
T
0385 41396) is at the harbour. Timetables
change frequently, so make sure you check the latest info
on the ground.
Destinations
4
LABUANBAJO
he port town of
LABUANBAJO
is
experiencing a boom in tourism, serving
as the gateway to Flores and the main
departure point for trips to
Komodo
National Park
(see box, p.305), but it
nevertheless retains a laidback village feel.
You can stay in town or at one of the
nearby island hotels - a pleasant option,
as most of these places offer a quiet
getaway with unspoilt beaches and decent
snorkelling, although they tend to be
Benoa (3 monthly; 36hr); Bima (fortnightly;
10hr); Makassar (fortnightly; 20hr); Sape (daily 8am;
6-9hr).
INFORMATION
Tourist o
ce
Jl Gabriel Gampur (
T
0385 41170; Mon-
Fri 8am-2pm). A 15min walk out of town but they're
friendly and helpful. To get here, head up the hill
opposite the supermarket.
Sulawesi
FLORES
FLORES SEA
Reo
Riung
Labuanbajo
Ruteng
Gunung
Ranaka
(2382m)
Rinca
Bajawa
Soa
Boawae
Todo
Aimere
Gunung
Inerie
(2131m)
Bena
Keikakolo
0
50
Sumba Strait
kilometres
Sumba
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