Flores Island: sights, photos and reviews of tourists

The mysterious island, located in the south of the Indonesian archipelago, with its outlines resembles a fish with a long tail. Until recently, it was little known among tourists, and now more and more holidaymakers are heading for this friendly corner, promising all the sea of adventure.

Flower Island

The most interesting island of Flores (Indonesia) was opened by chance at the beginning of the 16th century. This beautiful name was given to him by the Portuguese colonialists, delighted with a lush floral paradise. Five centuries have passed since its discovery, and virgin nature is now considered the main attraction of the volcanic island. A picturesque corner, drowning in exotic plants and tropical greens, is not in vain recognized as a flower island.

Places untouched by civilization give a unique opportunity to plunge into the fairy-tale world of nature. It is curious that many flowers and animals of Flores have survived since the time when gigantic dinosaurs lived on our planet. A variety of flora and fauna is another great reason to come here on vacation in order to fully experience the uniqueness of the lost paradise on earth.

The only Catholic corner in Indonesia

The colorful island of Flores is the only place in Muslim Indonesia, where the main religion is Catholicism. When the Portuguese gave Holland their colony, a Christian mission was already established here. Catholics converted the local residents into their faith, and non-interference of new masters in the sacrament of baptism became the main condition for the transfer of territory.

Hospitable Aborigines with a traditional way of life

On the Indonesian island of Flores, there are about 1.8 million people who greet all tourists cordially. And the first thing that the guests of the exotic corner tell about is the hospitality of the local population living according to the traditional way of life. All note the isolation of the indigenous islanders living in a distance from each other, which led to a bright contrast between the nationalities.

The main highway was laid about twenty years ago, and before that the natives have never seen cars and buses. By the way, there are many old villages on the island, the aborigines of which look as if they left archival black-and-white photographs. Therefore, when one speaks of an untouched civilization, this applies not only to nature, but also to the way of life of the local population, which shows great interest to visitors.

The colorful island of Flores, which was granted independence in 1945, is also known for allowing residents to hunt whales in an ancient way.

Three crater lakes, changing shades

The most famous volcano of the resort is Kelimutu, whose three crater lakes change the color of water, and scientists are still arguing about the cause of the amazing phenomenon. Once upon a time after the eruption of the volcano, small depressions formed, which turned into wonderful lakes.

Aborigines believe that the souls of the deceased live in changing colors, and any change in color is associated with the anger of their ancestors. In the lake, located in the distance from the rest, the souls of people who lived righteously until their old age rest.

Two other craters filled with water are located close to each other. The lakes in which the souls of young people who died at a young age and sinners who have caused much evil live are known throughout the world. The water in them changes shades, becoming green, now burgundy-black, then blood-red.

Explanations of scientists

True, scientists have their own point of view. They explain the natural phenomenon by the presence of dissolved minerals and declare that everything depends on the chemical reactions taking place in the water. However, other experts are convinced that such a color change is associated with volcanic gases entering the lake.

Natural phenomenon

This natural miracle, which the whole world has learned, has become a favorite place for tourists from all over the globe to recognize the love of the wonderful island. Tourists aspire here to meet the dawn on top of Kelimutu, watching the magical play of sunlight on the watery surface of the lakes.

Mirror Cave

Batu Cermin Cave is another local attraction. The underground kingdom located in the rock mass is a delightful sight. Here you can see the stone remains of turtles and fish, admire the quaint halls with colonies of stalagmites that resemble fantastic views. As guests of the island say, at a certain hour, the falling rays of the sun through a break in the vault are reflected by millions of mirrors in the interspersed minerals. To enjoy the wonderful picture, tourists come from all over the world to the cave.

Labuan Baggio

In the west of the picturesque island there is a small settlement, which is loved by the guests of Flores, who dream of magical beaches with clear water. In the village aspire to get and all fans of diving.

Well, if you get bored of a relaxing holiday, you can go to the farm where you grow pearls, or wander through the mysterious caves, which Indonesia is famous for. Travelers note that there will be quiet places for solitude with nature, and the opportunity to walk in absolute silence will appeal to those who are tired of the noise of large cities.

Badzhava

The unique island of Flores, despite the long-running missionaries, is famous for its traditional rituals. The city Badjava causes interest in tourists who want to get acquainted more closely with pagan rituals. This is the center of Ngadha religion, which is an interesting mix of Catholicism and the cult of ancestors.

Visitors to the town celebrate well-preserved megaliths - the place of worship of spirits, and the entire terrain seems to be saturated with a mystical atmosphere.

Scientific sensation

The unique island of Flores has gained incredible popularity after the scientists unveiled the results of archaeological excavations. The find, discovered in the cave Liang Bua, has become a real scientific sensation. Strange bones of a man growing one meter in a miniature body greatly surprised scientists who at first thought that they had found the skeleton of a child.

However, after careful study it was found that these are the remains of ancient hominids, called Homo floresiensis. The Floresian man possessed an unusually small brain size of 400 grams, which led to a discussion among scientists discussing the intellectual abilities of the ancient people who inhabited the island of Flores (Indonesia).

"Hobbits," as archeologists have called living beings, are the last surviving human species, not counting Homo sapiens.

The find that destroyed the concept

The find at the root turned the harmonious system of traditional paleoanthropology. Scientists are interested in the question of what place the dwarf hominid occupies in the genealogical tree of man. Where did he come from and how did he find himself on an island that arose as a result of volcanic activity?

After discovering new skeletons, specialists established that on the Indonesian island of Flores, 950 years ago, so-called hobbits lived, most likely, caught in the territory, drifting into the sea.

New discoveries

Interestingly, the small island once again surprised archaeologists with unusual anomalies. As it turned out, the hominids coexisted with the largest birds, the size of which was twice the growth of the hobbits that lived among the fantastic fauna on the Indonesian island of Flores.

Centuries ago, according to archaeologists, giant marabu hunted small people. Birds from the family of stork differed from other relatives: the weight exceeded 15 kilograms, and the growth reached almost two meters. Such conclusions were made after studies of the giant marabou skeleton found on the island.

Disputes of scientists

Now there are arguments about the fact that ancient dwarfs and giant birds died out. According to the main version of the scientists, they were destroyed by the eruption of the volcano, because all the remains were found under a layer of ash. Perhaps in an isolated area, ancient relics would exist to this day, as, for example, on the neighboring Komodo, huge monsters live.

Whatever it was, but on the Indonesian island of Flores centuries 500 ago, as if on a kind of Noah's Ark, lived relics with an ancient pedigree.

Traveling to the picturesque Flores, emerging from the shadows of the more famous islands, promises everyone a wonderful holiday and a variety of entertainment. Ideal conditions for a secluded pastime have been created here, and the picturesque landscapes make staying in an attractive place devoid of an influx of tourists unique.