FLORESPLUS 1 AQUA LUNA SELINI Labuan Bajo, Flores, Indonesia 2 FLORESPLUS Editor’s Note ear Friends, Welcome to the fifth issue of Flores Plus - there Photographers and explorers – we still welcome is plenty to look forward to, including traditional your contributions of exceptional photographs festivals and new resort openings in Labuan Bajo. featuring Flores’s wondrous landscapes both To find out more, do check out our What’s Up above and underwater to feature in our weekly pages for all the details. newsletter, Instagram and Facebook and we would like to invite you to continue with your In our Best of Flores section, you’ll find personal contributions which we may feature in our Digital recommendations featuring local traditional Magazine, Website, Daily Blogs and Weekly delicacies, resorts and activities that you must Newsletters. try while you’re visiting Flores. And to help your money go a long way, we do have some So come and join us as we Rediscover Hidden recommendations as to where you could stay, Paradise and do visit www.floresplus.net for explore, dine and discover in our Hot Deals more insights and to subscribe to our weekly section. newsletter. If you would like to have your say, send your comments! We’d always love to hear Thanks to Flores’s phenomenal natural beauty from you. and its unparalleled offerings, we’ve been keeping our blog updated daily with little bits of travel destinations and travel tips. If you’d like to read up on this and learn more of all the places that you must visit while you’re in Flores, we have The Floresplus Team everything that you need to know in our website – simply click on Best of Flores and enjoy! Contact Us: Flores Plus Team Assistant Editor: Circulation & Distribution: Dewa Putu Nara Kusuma Heri Yuherzan Phone : +62 8445078 Company Director: Accounting: Putu Sukarsa For editoral : Hendra Lapusa Made Sudarmini Wayan Sudartha [email protected] Graphic Designer: Yuliana Bela Traffic: For advertising : Agus Hendra Manuaba Web Design & Developer: Yuli Astuti [email protected] Editor: Diana A. Kadek Dwi Angga Permana The following photos are courtesy of SwissContact - Page 17, Page 21, Page 22, Page 26, Page 27, Page 30, Page 32, Page 33, Page 34, Page 35, Page 37FLORESPLUS 3 SELINI ON THE HILL VILLAS Gang Perikanan No. 77, Labuan Bajo, Flores Tel: +628 123 891 0083 Email: [email protected] www. villaselini-onthehill.com 4 FLORESPLUS Content 3 Editoral 25 Cruising Komodo & Beyond 6 What’s Up Flores 27 Diving & Snorkeling in Komodo 8 Hot Deals Flores 28 Wildlife 10 Best Of Flores 30 Entrance Tickets and Other Fees 14 Newsletters 32 Districts and Places to Visit 16 Understanding Flores 42 Getting to Flores & Travel Practicalities 18 People & Culture 43 Hotels in Flores 19 Geography & Weather 47 Eat in Flores 20 History 49 Flores Essential Info 22 Cultural Highlights 24 About Komodo National Park Follow Us floresplusmagz @flores.plus www.floresplus.net FLORESPLUS 5 What’s Up Flores TOUR DE FLORES 6TH MAY – MAY 16TH 2018 One of the biggest sporting events to be held in Flores, Tour de Flores is a road cycling championship which takes place over several days beginning at Larantuka in East Flores and ending in Labuan Bajo with a distance of more than 700 kilometers in 5 stages for ten days. Tour De Flores 2018 was originally inspired by other similar events, such as Tour De France (Since 1903), Tour De Singkarak (Since 2009) and Tour De Banyuwangi “Ijen” (since 2012). Tour De Flores will cover a distance of 743 KM over 5 stages. The cyclists will travel throughout the length of the island’s covering 14,300 square kilometers at various temperatures. Tour de Flores brings the eyes of the world to this beautiful island in East traditions, language, religion, rare wildlife and Nusa Tenggara, highlighting the island’s fauna of Komodo, Kelimutu Lake, Pink Beach and incredible beauty along the spectacular so much more. Photo by FloresTourism.com coast, ethnic diversity, culture, megalithic ALA BALOEL 15TH JUNE 2018 ALOR ISLAND Ala Baloel is a significant traditional and cultural ceremony held yearly on Alor Island to repel evil spirits and bad luck. While you’re there, you could also visit Takpala Traditional Village, Mombang, Alor Marine Nature Park, and the island of Alor Kecil. Alor Island or Pulau Alor is an untouched paradise that is located just east of Flores Island. It is part of the Alor Archipelago and is home to 150,000 people who speak 15 different languages along with Bahasa Indonesia. The capital city of Alor is Kalabahi, with an airport with flights to and from Kupang. While the majority of the island’s population is Protestant, there are also Muslims and Roman Catholics who live side by side in harmony as they continue to strongly Pearls farm where some of the world’s most practice and integrate animistic rites and beautiful and sought-after South Sea Pearls are traditions. Also on Alor Island is an Atlas produced and cultivated. 6 FLORESPLUS What’s Up Flores AYANA KOMODO RESORT TO OFFICIALLY OPEN THIS SUMMER AYANA Komodo Resort, the first and only five-star resort on Labuan Bajo’s exquisite Waecicu Beach, is set to open its doors to the public this summer. Guests can expect world-class hospitality, exceptional design, superior cuisine and unparalleled service with 12 suites and 189 premium guest rooms. Inspired by light, comfort and open living, each contemporary room features a flawless ocean view with large windows to capture the golden glow of tropical sunsets that melt dramatically behind the distinctive Kukusan Island. Set in one of the most rugged and picturesque islands of the Indonesian Archipelago, guests will find an extraordinary diversity of religions, languages, and landscapes Indonesia’s pristine archipelago while relaxing – alongside crystal clear waters and in elegance and style on the ultimate seafaring pristine white sandy beaches. Go on adventure. Waecicu Beach, Labuan Bajo, Flores board the Ayana Lako di’a to discover East www.ayana.com/labuan-bajo DELIGHTFUL TASTES OF GREECE AT CASA SELINI CAFE Casa Selini Cafe by Selini On The Hill Villas is a delightful place to dine while overlooking the bay. Offering tantalizing Mediterranean Fusion cuisine made from only the freshest ingredients, this is the best place to satiate your appetite with the Chef’s exciting surprises. There is no fixed menu as to maximize the availability of each ingredient; therefore, be assured that each experience at the restaurant will be truly unique and memorable. Reviews have stated that Casa Selini Cafe offers some of the best tastes of Greek cuisine in Labuan Bajo! Vegetarians and healthy food lovers need not worry as there are plenty to choose from. We recommend the dips with fresh flatbread – authentic Greek delicacy! After your meal, sit back Gg. Perikanan Lama No.77, Labuan Bajo, Flores and relax as you take in the wondrous | Ph: +62 852 5375 2903| www. villaselini- view of the bay, or linger over cocktails onthehill.com and catch the most magnificent sunset you’ll ever see. FLORESPLUS 7 Hot Deals Flores SAIL THE SEAS WITH ALILA PURNAMA Alila Purnama, translated as The Full Moon, is one of the most luxurious liveaboard Phinisi ships in Asia, providing ultra-modern and elegant accommodation for up to ten guests. Handcrafted in the traditional style of a Phinisi, as used by the Bugis seafarers from south Sulawesi in Indonesia, the 46-metre- long Alila Purnama consists of three decks, 4 deluxe suites and 1 master suite with a private deck, large wraparound windows offering 180-degree views of the ever-changing yet incredible landscape as well as a lavish en- suite including a bath tub, 2 wash basins and a separate shower room. In keeping with Alila’s emphasis on style and sustainability, the furniture throughout the ship is custom-made from teak, rattan and other locally sourced materials from Indonesia. Alila Purnama is now on the seasonal itineraries. For more information, please open for individual reservations. Each booking visit www.alilahotels.com/purnama. is for up to two persons sharing a suite, based A HAVEN OF SERENITY AT SELINI ON THE HILL VILLAS Selini On The Hill is a group of 7 exclusive villas located in Labuan Bajo that promises a breathtaking tropical escape within the stupendous calm and peace of a tree-shaded location cradled by mountains where time stands still. Offering a calm and peaceful stay with an amazing view of the bay, all rooms are uniquely decorated in a traditional eco-friendly way, providing guests with a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of today’s glass and steel structures that can be found in many parts of the world. All villas are equipped with much-needed creature comforts including air- conditioning, hot and cold running water in an en-suite bathroom that comes well stocked with free toiletries, a mosquito net and a cosy seating area. Perfect for families, Selini On The Hill Villas also provide babysitting services for the little ones. Feel free to enjoy a much- Gg. Perikanan Lama No.77, Labuan Bajo, Flores needed in-villa massage. There are also daily Ph: +62 852 5375 2903 free daily housekeeping service and laundry www. villaselini-onthehill.com services for a fee. 8 FLORESPLUS Hot Deals Flores A TRUE TROPICAL PARADISE AT AMRITA BEACH RESORT A tranquil tropical dream, Amrita Beach Resort is located on Waiara Beach in Maumere Bay. Two spacious beachfront villas and two duplex bungalows offering a total of 8 rooms are nestled amidst waving palms on 2 hectares of natural and peaceful landscape.