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Published: June 25th 2017
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My husband and I first ventured to this remote Indonesian island two years ago, when we took a three day boat ride from Lombok, Indonesia, to trek in Komodo Park in search of Komodo Dragons, which we did ultimately find. At that time, we spent only one night harboured in Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores, before boating back to Lombok. It was a very brief introduction, after which we heard repeatedly from travellers of the amazing coral and marine diversity in Komodo Park, and of the overal rugged but stellar beauty of the Flores landscape. So much so that we seriously took up the sport of diving last year, plus another refresher course and several more dives this year, and finally returned to Flores ready to experience the challenging currents and swim with the manta rays, which we did. But we also returned to experience the reportedly overwhelmingly beautiful landscape of this relatively new Indonesian destination.
Shortly after and while still pleasantly dazed by our experience swimming with the manta rays in Flores' Komodo Marine Park, we embarked on the land adventure before us teeming with anticipation. What would present itself over the next four days as
Spider Web Rice Paddies
A traditional method of planting rice passed down over generations that is practiced exclusively in this one region of Flores, Indonesia we crossed the entire island on the endlessly winding, serpentine Trans-Flores highway from Labuan Banjo on the west coast, to Maumere on the east? What could possibly top the manta rays?
The journey did not disappoint. The island is dramatic, diverse, and absolutely stunning. The entire roadtrip had us consistently mesmerized by the natural beauty to be found in vast terraced and spider formation rice paddies, enormous bamboo forests, gigantic ferns, extensive coastal beaches, steaming hot springs, and authentic villages still actively living their traditional lifestyles, as well as, of course, countless mountain ranges with frequent large, very pointy volcanoes, the most renowned of which - Kelimutu - features the phenomenal tri-colour lakes.
It is said that there are over twenty thousand islands in Indonesia, and two thousand dialects. This concept is difficult to even fathom, but while driving across this one island over a period of three days, we passed through six "Regencies", each of which had a unique culture and language, we were told.
No, the journey did not disappoint. Instead, we were completely blown away, and the more we saw, the more we came to the conclusion that Flores is - for us -
The Trans Flores Highway
There is only one road that crosses the island - passing through diverse agricultural landscapes and winds its way over, around, and through numerous mountain passes, which is why the Trans Flores highway is described as one long serpent. the most beautiful land we have yet visited, topping our previous category winner, New Zealand. In addition, as always, I must mention that the people we met were consistently friendly, receptive, and welcoming. But in Flores, in particular, I was very pleased to be able to communicate in Bahasa Indonesian - the national official language taught in schools throughout the country, regardless of local dialect - for fewer people here spoke English than in any other parts of Indonesia we have visited.
We only experienced a little introduction to the immense diving possibilities in Komodo Park, so Flores is on the list for another dive excursion again next year, as well as a visit to the recent archeological discovery of the Hobbit Cave. What a powerful ending to our Dreamchasers 2016 Adventure!
And now we return to Canadian soil to continue adventures of other sorts at home, appreciate the long days of summer, the beautiful Canadian sunsets, and the simple joys of being home again, until the Dreamchaser 2017 travel adventure begins.
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