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- B E N A
- Bena is prototype of an ancient
Ngada village. Such villages are found in rather great numbers
in the area and can be reached by car from bajawa in about one
and half hours.
- The way of life of the people
is unique, and so are the houses and the traditional ceremonies.
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- R E B A
- Reba is known for its ritual flights, a very
interesting spectacle to watch.
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- MATALAKO
- Mataloko is a small town rife with legends. The
air is cool. Here one can find one of the oldest Catholic religious
education centres in Flores.
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- MARASONA
- Marasona is a waterfall 30 meters high and is a
popular holiday home for young people. It is located at the foot
of Mount Inerie, an area famous for its magnificent scenery.
There is also a hot water spring.
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- R I U N G
- Riung is now wellknown for
its seventeen isles that makes the sea surrounding a paradise
for marine lovers. Here one can dive, snorkel, and swim.
- The beach is a sea-side resort
with clear and calm water. There is a beautiful coral reef just
off the shore.
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- LARANTUKA
 Larantuka
is the capital of East
Flores Regency, the islands eastern-most regency. Formerly, it
was called Tanjung Bunga (Cape of Flower), which in the
Portuguese language became Cabo da Flores (Flora), a name
which eventually applied to the whole island.
- East Flores is a hilly land,
covering a narrow strip of 20 kilometers long. Arid grasslands
dominate the landscape.
- This small town is located
on the coast and still bears the imprints of its Portuguese
heritage. This was the center of Roman Catholicism on Flores.
The Portuguese legalicy is found in people's names, rituals church
architectures, church paraphernalia, as well as in famous old
fort of Solor Island.
- Larantuka can be reached over-land
from Maumere by ship or motorboat and by air from Kupang. Links
with other islands suh as Adonara, Lembata, and Solor are maintained
by ships or motorboats. The first school in Flores opened in
1862, in Larantuka. This region is rich in ikat textiles with
fine motifs. Larantuka's greatest attractions are its religious
rituals and ceremonies which are held on occasions such as Christmas,
Easter, and Good Friday. Processions remind of Jesus carrying
the cross. Other rituals are in honor to the Virgin Mary. The
Portuguese language is often used during the ceremonies.
- The old church, a bell and
an ancient cannon can still be found in good condition in this
area.
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- SAN DOMINGGO
- San Dominggo is the hill where the Cathedral, the Bishop's
House and the Mission Complex are located. From the hill once
cansee across the beach of Ketapang, near Larantoka. It is a
beautiful! beach, and largely still unspoiled. There is a training
institution for fishermen, run by the Diocese of Larantuka. There
is also sulfuric hot-water pool in the Village of Karum, in
the Atadei Distric. Children use the hot water to cook sweet
potatoes or boil eggs.
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- HERAS BEACH
- The place can be reached in
about 45 minutes from Larantuka. The beach is unspoiled and unpolluted.
The center for Fishermen's Vocational Training run by the Diocese
in Larantuka, is found here. There is also Karung Village, in
Atadei District, where one can find a sulfurous spring. Children
boil potatoes and egges in the water.
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- BATU PAYUNG
- Via Tanjung Bunga, the sailors
of old returned from their voyages headed for the east. On the
mainland loomed Batu Payung and Kopong Dei, rocks shaped like
men in battle, ready to shoot their arrows.
- In the surroundings, yhe beach
lies pleasant and peaceful, scorching under the sun. Dolphins
in habit the waters off this coast. The cape is not far from
Larantuka, and easily reached by bus or car.
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- LAMALERA
- Lamalera on Lembata Island
is a whaling village. The months of May to September make up
the whale hunting season for the people of Lamalera. Using simple
traditional tools as samll row boats and the hand frown harpoons,
the hunters sail out to hunt these giant creatures of the sea.
The catch is either consumed or sold.
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- PULAU SOLOR
- Solor island was formerly
known as Nusa Holot. It cand be reached from Larantuka by boat
or motor boat. A Portugeses fort is found on this island, as
a churuch and an old cannon. Previously, this fort was named
Fort Hendricus, and was built in 1966. Today it is known as Benteng
(Fort) Lewohayong.
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- PULAU LEMBATA
- Lembata island is and island
rich in traditional culture. The men are brave sailors, and skilled
whalers.
- Held between May and September,
the whaling season offers the graters spectacle, the area has
to offer. Armed with only simple metal-tipped spears as harpoons,
they set out in their simple boats to affer the whales.
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- A L O R
 Pigafetta,
a Portuguese sailor, who joined Magelian on this votage around
the world, mentioned that from January 12 to 15, the Victoria,
lay anchored at Alor. In those days, Alor was visited by traders
coming from China, Java and Sumatra to trade and buy sandalwood.
In the 14th century Islam was brought to the area by Kyai Mokhtar
and Arkiang, from Ternate. Then the Portuguese and the Dutch
came and established the Christian Church.
- Alor is now famous among tourist,
specially divers from all over the world (as mentioned in magazines
like Asia Actions), for the diving spot there is rated
as "the best". Big fish, sharks, pristine coral and
spectacular walls that drop to infinity combined with brethaking
panorama above water, make it the ultimate dive destination.
- To reach Alor and Pantar Islands
one has to either fly by Twin Otter aircraft to Kupang, or go
by sea to Kalabahi, the capital of Alor. At Kalabahi, motorboats
are available for trips to the nearby islands.
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