SOLOR ARCHIPELAGO NUSA TENGGARA INDONESIA

SOLOR ARCHIPELAGO

NUSA TENGGARA

INDONESIA

Nusa Tenggara, a province of Eastern Indonesia, consists of a multitude of islands. The bigger ones like Solor, Andonara, Kawula and Alor create a picturesque chain of islands.

There are rocky hills and volcanoes on land and sand cays and coral reefs at sea. Fishing is main occupation in the area, the fishermen are friendly. Their children are cute and eager to learn to fish.

The archipelago has a rich history. Pulau Solor was the fist island visited by Portuguese Missionaries in the early 16^th century and Catholic faith spread from here to Flores.

The sunsets are enchanting, the ocean breeze is fresh and pollution free. 

MAUMERE PULAU FLORES INDONESIA

MAUMERE

PULAU FLORES

INDONESIA

Maumere is a seaport and one of a very few bigger townships of Flores Island. Back in the 17^th century it used to be a Portuguese center and it still is a catholic center established by the Portuguese Missionaries in the biggest Muslim Nation of Indonesia. Maumere has been destroyed by an earthquake and tsunami in 1992. Now rebuilt it still is a natural harbor and seaport.

A nearby fishing village is very much part of Maumere. Its inhabitants are Muslim. It is great to see Christian and Muslim population living together in harmony in Marmere.

However, it is not just the town that has an impact on visitors, not just the wonderful people that experienced the tragedy of an earthquake and tsunami, not the people that lost loved ones in that tragedy.

The scenic beauty of the north coast of Flores that leads to Maumere is unforgettable as well as its history. It is a coast of bays, hills and mountains, of colors on the water, amazing coral reefs teeming with fish. Every anchorage along the north coast of Flores offers excellent snorkeling.

The color splendor continues with spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Maumere is a starting point for a trip to Kelimutu Volcano where a color splendor continues with Three-color crater lakes.

Flores is truly a picturesque island above and below its waters.

PULAU FLORES INDONESIA

PULAU FLORES

INDONESIA

Flores, island of flowers, named so by the Portugese in early 1500s is an island of divers terrain accommodating many volcanoes and amazing coastline of coral reefs. In fact, the rout to Flores from the west has many islands famous for the diving sites, Pulau Padar with its natural Pyramid being a popular diving spot.

Labuan Bajo is the entry to Flores. It has a natural harbor with a multitude of boats, many take visitors to Padar or Komodo or Rinja that has a Nature Park where Komodo Dragons can be seen. There are many islands scattered around Labuan Bajo making the harbor a safe anchorage.

The coastline of Flores is scenic, mountains, rocky or full of vegetation hills and

valleys and sandy beaches. Some offshore islands are surrounded by coral reefs. Thus sailing is slow and with care. However, anchorages are well protected and snorkeling fabulous.

Flores extends over some 200 nautical miles and sailing along its coastline is a pleasure.

KOMODO ISLAND INDONESIA

KOMODO ISLAND

INDONESIA

Komodo Island in the Nusa Tenggara group of islands, lodged between Sumbawa and Flores, is famous for its monitor lizard, Komodo Dragon. Well, those lizards are not quite like average monitor lizards. They are huge, some three meter and 100 kg in weight. 




Komodo became a National Park back in 1980 and then a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of those unique lizards.

Komodo has been attracting visitors since then. Visits are regulated by ranges but the visitor numbers have an impact on the environment. There is talk about closure of the Park or increase of entry fees to limit the visitor numbers. Komodo Dragons are smaller and their main staple diet, deer, fewer. Nature obviously does not enjoy being overpowered by tourists.

Komodo has become commercial, tickets to view the dragons through wire fence, rangers on guard, not really a natural environment but necessary to protect visitors trying to take selfies and disappearing under sharp claws and into well teethed mouths that take deer and buffalo.

Just five nautical miles away from horrors of Komodo is Pulau Banta. The island has scarce vegetation but amazing underwater world of coral reefs and fish. Snorkeling is superb.

Banta Island offers relaxation and peace needed after dangers of Komodo.

PULAU SUMBAWA INDONESIA

PULAU SUMBAWA

INDONESIA

Pulau Sumbawa, a big island between Lombok and Flores, is larger than Lombok and Bali combined. Sumbawa has just one main road across the island, the rest of its terrain is ragged. There are many bays and peninsulas along its coast, tall mountains and volcanoes in its interior. Gunung Tambora used to be 4200 meter tall, after the 1815 explosion it was reduced to 2800 meters.

Sumbawa has many islands surrounding its coast and some sandy beaches lined with palms. Teluk Bima is a natural port, just of Bima, one of the main towns. Komodo Island is just a hop from nearby Raba town.

Sumbawa has villages and towns. It is not a touristy place. It is visited by cruising yachts and treated as a pleasant rest stop, it has some comfortable anchorages. It is a truly Indonesian island, the local people are friendly, not spoiled by great numbers of tourists.

Sumbawa is an island of tall mountains and volcanoes, hills and valleys, few villages and fewer townships.

MEDANA BAY MARINA LOMBOK INDONESIA

MEDANA BAY MARINA

LOMBOK

INDONESIA

Medana Bay Marina is a safe heaven for cruising yachts. It has hard stand and lift out facility, so necessary when some work on boats is required.

It has clean and tidy facilities, showers and services of organizing diesel delivery. All care taken of the boat, time to relax in Sailfish restaurant and bar.

Gazing at surrounding scenery, relaxing and enjoying a Bintang in company of other cruising folk is a great pastime.

It is easy to get to nearby Tanjung, a town/village with shops and market. Mataram and Ampealan, the airport, are also not far away. In fact, access to many overland attractions is easy with a boat secure on a mooring or hard stand. And the attractions are many, hiking up Rinjani Mount Volcano or just enjoying the wilderness of rain forest and waterfalls. 

Medana Bay Marina is a great stop for cruising yachts.

TheThree GILIS L O M B O K INDONESIA

TheThree

GILIS

L O M B O K

INDONESIA

Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Aer are only a short boat trip away from Lombok. Spectacular and unique islands, time to relax or explore underwater beauty with many diving areas around the Gilis.

Gili Trawangan is the biggest of the three, built up with many resorts, restaurants, bars, discos and traffic (bicycle). The is no traffic on Gili Aer, just Lombok Ferraris, carts with horses or rather ponies. An alternative is to walk. Island hopping by boat is a popular pass time. But surfing and snorkeling are the most popular. While Gili T is a party island, Gili Meno is quiet and has an underwater sculpture, the Nest, worth a snorkel to see it.

Gili, meaning small island, is the perfect description of the three. They are small and cute. They offer attractions like horse riding or kayaking for the energetic. Mostly it is beach walking, swimming, relaxing and enjoying the scenery and perfect sunsets.