The mysterious island, located in the south of the Indonesian archipelago, resembles a fish with a long tail. Until recently, it was little known among tourists, but now more and more vacationers flock to this friendly corner, which promises a sea of adventure for everyone.
Flower Island
The most interesting island of Flores (Indonesia) was discovered by chance at the beginning of the 16th century. Such a beautiful name was given to it by the Portuguese colonialists, who admired the lush flower paradise. Five centuries have passed since its discovery, and virgin nature is still considered the main attraction of the volcanic island. A picturesque corner, immersed in exotic plants and tropical greenery, is not in vain recognized as a flower island.
Untouched by civilization places provide a unique opportunity to plunge into the fabulous world of nature. It is curious that manyflowers and animals of Flores have been preserved since the time when gigantic dinosaurs lived on our planet. Diverse flora and fauna is another great reason to come here on vacation to fully experience the uniqueness of the lost paradise on earth.
The only Catholic corner in Indonesia
The colorful island of Flores is the only corner in Muslim Indonesia where the main religion is Catholicism. When the Portuguese gave their colony to Holland, a Christian mission had already been founded here. Catholics converted local residents to their faith, and the non-interference of new owners in the sacrament of baptism became the main condition for the transfer of the territory.
Hospitable natives with a traditional way of life
The Indonesian island of Flores is home to about 1.8 million people who welcome all tourists. And the first thing that the guests of the exotic corner talk about is the hospitality of the local population living in the traditional way. Everyone notes the isolation of the native islanders living at a distance from each other, which has led to a striking contrast between the peoples.
The main highway was laid about twenty years ago, and before that, the natives had never seen cars and buses. By the way, there are many old villages on the island, the aborigines of which look like they came out of archival black-and-white photographs. Therefore, when people talk about untouched civilization, it refers not only to nature, but also to the way of life of the local population, which shows an increased interest in guests.
The colorful island of Flores, which gained independence in 1945year, is also known for the fact that residents are allowed to hunt whales in the ancient way.
Three crater lakes that change shades
The resort's most famous volcano is Kelimutu, whose three crater lakes change the color of the water, and scientists still argue about the cause of the amazing phenomenon. Once upon a time, after a volcanic eruption, small depressions formed, turning into wonderful lakes.
Aborigines firmly believe that the souls of the dead live in color-changing water, and any change in color is associated with the wrath of ancestors. In the lake, located far from the rest, the souls of people who lived righteously until old age are buried.
Two other craters filled with water are located close to each other. The lakes, in which the souls of young people who died at a young age and sinners who brought a lot of evil, live, are known to the whole world. The water in them changes shades, becoming green, then burgundy-black, then blood-red.
Explained by scientists
True, scientists have their own point of view. They explain the natural phenomenon by the presence of dissolved minerals and claim that everything depends on the chemical reactions taking place in the water. However, other experts are convinced that this color change is due to volcanic gases entering the lakes.
Natural Phenomenon
A real natural miracle, which the whole world has learned about, has become a favorite place for tourists from all over the globe to declare their love for the wonderful island. Tourists rush here to meet the dawn on the top of Kelimutu, watching the magical gamesunlight on the water surface of lakes.
Mirror Cave
Batu Cermin Cave is another local attraction. The underground kingdom located in the rocky massif is a delightful sight. Here you can see the stone remains of turtles and fish, admire the bizarre halls with colonies of stalagmites, reminiscent of fantastic views. According to the guests of the island, at a certain hour, the falling rays of the sun through a breach in the vault are reflected by millions of mirrors interspersed with minerals. To enjoy the marvelous picture, tourists from different parts of our planet come to the cave.
Labuan Bajo
In the west of the picturesque island there is a small settlement, which is adored by the guests of Flores, who dream of magical beaches with clear water. All diving enthusiasts strive to get to the village.
Well, if you get bored with a relaxing holiday, you can go to a pearl farm or wander through the mysterious caves that Indonesia is famous for. Travelers note that there are quiet places for solitude with nature, and those who are tired of the noise of large cities will like the opportunity to take a walk in absolute silence.
Bajava
The unique island of Flores, despite the long-term work of missionaries, is famous for its traditional rites. The city of Bajava is of interest to tourists who want to get acquainted with pagan rituals. This is the center of the Ngadha religion, which is an interestingmix of Catholicism and the cult of ancestors.
Visitors of the town note the well-preserved megaliths - places of worship for spirits, and the whole area seems to be saturated with a mystical atmosphere.
Scientific sensation
The unique island of Flores has gained incredible popularity after scientists published the results of archaeological excavations. The find, discovered in the Liang Bua cave, has become a real scientific sensation. The strange bones of a one meter tall man with a miniature physique extremely surprised scientists, who at first thought they had found the skeleton of a child.
However, after careful examination, it was found that these are the remains of ancient hominids, called Homo floresiensis. Floresian man had an unusually small brain size of 400 grams, which caused a discussion among scientists discussing the intellectual capabilities of the ancient people who inhabited the island of Flores (Indonesia).
"Hobbits", as archaeologists have called living creatures, are the last surviving human species, not counting Homo sapiens.
The discovery that destroyed the concept
The find radically turned over the orderly system of traditional paleoanthropology. Scientists are interested in the question of what place the dwarf hominid occupies in the human family tree. Where did he come from and how did he end up on an island that arose as a result of volcanic activity?
After the discovery of new skeletons, experts found that the so-called hobbits lived on the Indonesian island of Flores 950 centuries ago,most likely caught in the territory by drifting in the sea.
New discoveries
It is interesting that the small island once again surprised archaeologists with unusual anomalies. As it turned out, hominids coexisted with huge birds, the size of which was twice the height of the hobbits that lived among the fantastic fauna on the Indonesian island of Flores.
500 centuries ago, according to archaeologists, gigantic marabou hunted small people. Birds from the stork family differed from other relatives: the weight exceeded 15 kilograms, and the height reached almost two meters. Such conclusions were made after researching a giant marabou skeleton found on the island.
Disputes of scientists
Now there are disputes about what caused the extinction of the ancient dwarfs and giant birds. According to the main version of scientists, they were killed by a volcanic eruption, because all the remains were found under a layer of ash. Perhaps, in an isolated area, ancient relics would exist to this day, as, for example, huge monitor lizards live in neighboring Komodo.
Be that as it may, but on the Indonesian island of Flores 500 centuries ago, as if on a kind of Noah's ark, there lived relics with an ancient pedigree.
A trip to the picturesque Flores, emerging from the shadows of the more famous islands, promises everyone a wonderful vacation and a variety of entertainment. There are ideal conditions for a secluded pastime, and picturesque landscapes make staying in an attractive place,devoid of the influx of tourists, unique.
