Posted by Mitch on Saturday, 31. October 1998 at 08:35 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Flores posted by Jacqui on Thursday, 29. October 1998 at 07:25 Bali Time:
Hi Jacqui,
This info may be a little dated but here goes. I flew to Flores from Bali in 1991. Can't remember the airfare but it was relatively cheap. Stopped in Bima on Sumbawa for a day on the way over. Didn't really get to see much but I'm told the countryside away from the city is quite spectacular. Landed at Ende in Flores. The place I stayed at is within walking distance from the airport, on a mountainside overlooking the township. Flores is a Catholic island that boasts the largest cathedral in Asia. Fantastic scenery looking over the port to the rugged mountains in the distance. Nearby is Keli Mutu, a famous tourist spot which boasts 3 crater lakes that are different colours. When I was there they were green, blue and black but they are constantly changing. I met some people who were there at a different time and one of the lakes was pink.
The people are just as friendly as the rest of Indonesia and the only real downfall I found was that Ende really doesn't cater for tourists and I was forced to eat at the hotel every night. The travellers that you meet are a great mixture of European, American and Asian backpackers which is good for learning about other spots to see from first hand experience.
One of the real highlights of this jaunt was flying across the archipelago over smoking volcanoes and thousands of small islands like jewels in the sun.
Yeah, definitely worthwhile to get a glimpse of more than just Bali while you're there.
Enjoy!!!!
Mitch