Maumere, Flores island (Indonesia)
According to The Nail Mythology, the city of Maumere is located on the northern coast of the eastern part of the island of Flores. This is the largest city of the island and its business center. The airport is located 8 km east of the city. Traveling here is best during the dry season from April to September, when the chance of rain is the least.
83 km east of Maumere, not far from the city of Ende, is one of the most important attractions of the island – volcano Kelimutu. It is part of the National Park of the same name, with an area of 5,300 hectares. The volcano is surrounded by dense forests. Its height is 1639 m. After the eruption in 1886, three lakes formed in its crater. The colors of these lakes change periodically and can be, depending on the minerals dissolved in them at the moment, green, red, white or black.
In the coastal waters of Maumere you can go diving and snorkelling. The resort was popular until 1992, when a tsunami destroyed the city itself and most of the coral reefs. Now the city has been completely restored and the corals are gradually reviving, and their inhabitants are returning, and there is already something to see. Frogfish, Mimic Octopus and endemic tropical fish species can be seen in the underwater coral gardens. Visibility here reaches 25 m. The main dive sites are located in the vicinity of Maumere.
To the east of the city along the coast, 70 m from the coast, on the sandy bottom lies the sunken ship Wei Terang. This is a Japanese ship from the Second World War, its length is 50 m. The ship lies at a depth of 25 m. It is all overgrown with corals, soft and hard.
30 km south of Maumere, it is worth visiting the village of Sikka. This is a center for handmade fabrics. Here you can see how colored fabric with various national patterns is woven.
Labuan Bajo, Flores island (Indonesia)
Labuan Bajo is a small city on the western tip of Flores Island. Fishermen live here. Of the attractions of the city and its environs, one can single out the Mutiara pearl farm; Sermin Cave 5 km from Labuan Bajo, where there are many tunnels with stalactites and stalagmites; Susun Cave, with an area of 5,000 sq. km.; as well as the cave of Varaloka, where ancient pottery was once found.
On the coast there are small white sand beaches, the most popular of which is Pade beach. If you take a boat trip along the coastal waters, you can see the island of Bidari. It is quite small, its area is 15 hectares. The island has a hilly surface with very beautiful vegetation, here you can have a good rest, walking in complete silence. In addition, Monkey Island with monkeys living on it and Kalong Island, where large carnivorous bats live, are of interest.
Relaxing on the beaches of Labuan Bajo and nearby islands is best during the dry season from April to September, when the chance of rain is the least.
Among tourists, Labuan Bajo is known as the starting point for visiting Komodo National Park. (located half a day by boat west of Flores Island). The park office is located here. The park includes three islands – Komodo, Rinca and Padar – and several smaller islands. The total area of the park is 1817 sq. km. It was opened in 1870, and in 1991 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Initially, the park was conceived to protect the rare species of Komodo monitor lizard. These reptiles can reach 3 meters in length. Now, in addition to the monitor lizard, a giant rat and a Timorese deer are guarded here. The marine waters belonging to the park offer excellent diving opportunities. About 1000 species of fish, 260 species of corals and 70 species of sponges live here. The most suitable place for diving is Pink Beach.
Labuan Bajo also known among divers. They go here to watch the whale shark, which is the largest fish on earth, its length can reach 20 m. Gray Island, which is located just north of Labuan Bajo, is suitable for diving.
Namlea, Buru island (Indonesia)
Namlea is located on the island of Buru, west of Ambon. Until 1965, during the political chaos in Indonesia, the island was used as a place of exile, so even to this day, local authorities are suspicious of visitors.
Namlea is a Muslim port, ferries come here from Ambon and Makassar. The southern Christian coast of the island of Buru has no connection with Namlea and with the northern coast, sometimes ferries from Ambon come there.
There is no tourist infrastructure on the island, although there are magnificent beaches and all the conditions for hiking. However, it is possible to organize such hikes with local guides, but you must be in good physical shape, because all the interesting places on the island are difficult to access.