Flores Vacations, Indonesia

The largest town is Maumere.

Flores is located east of Sumbawa and Komodo and west of Lembata and the Alor Archipelago. To the southeast is Timor. To the south, across the Sumba strait, is Sumba and to the north, beyond the Flores Sea, is Sulawesi.

There are many languages spoken on the island of Flores, all of them belonging to the Austronesian family. In the centre of the island in the districts of Ngada and Ende there is what is variously called the Central Flores Dialect Chain or the Central Flores Linkage. Within this area there are slight linguistic differences in almost every village. At least six separate languages are identifiable. These are from west to east: Ngadha, Nage, Keo, Ende, Lio and Palu'e, which is spoken on the island with the same name of the north coast of Flores. Locals would probably also add So'a and Bajawa to this list, which anthropologists have labeled dialects of Ngadha.

Portuguese traders and missionaries came to Flores in the 16th century, mainly to Larantuka and Sikka. Their influence is still discernible in Sikka's language and culture.

"Jeepnies" operate linking all the main towns. It is an incredible way to see the island and the driving ensures it is an exhilarating ride

The most famous tourist attraction in Flores is Kelimutu, a collection of three coloured lakes in the district of Ende. Changing colours on a regular basis, the latest colours (mid 2003) were said to be turquoise, green and red.

Flores has good snorkelling and diving in several locations along the north coast, most notably Maumere and Riung. Owing to the destructive practice of local fishermen using dynamite, and locals selling shells to tourists, however, the coral reefs are slowly being destroyed.

More Information on Flores Travel at Wikitravel.org

Things To Do in Flores

Red Lakes, Flores
Attraction type: Lake

Keli Mutu, Flores
Attraction type: Geological formation

Mount Meja, Flores
Attraction type: Mountain