East Nusa Tenggara

  The province consist over 550 islands, but its dominated bythe three main islands Flores, Sumba, and Timor. The arid landscape of eastern and southeastern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot, dry winds blasting in form the Australian continent. In fact, in many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during the most of the year. Flores is a Pourtuguese name which means “flower”, and ideally described the beauty to be found here. These long island between Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and

mountains, dividing it into several regions with distinct languages and traditions.

Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Pourtuguese,there are many examples of a strong European cultural heritage, like the Easter procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere. Formerly known as Sandal wood Island, Sumba is now famous for its horses and it superb style for ikat cloth. West Sumba is famous for its
enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. Timor is the principal island in the province in terms of population and it is here that the provincial capital of Kupang is located.

GETTING THERE

Kupang as the provincial capital serves as the gate from Darwin (Australia) twice a week. Regular shuttle flights from Bali, Makassar and Surabaya provide excellent transportation links. There are PELNI ships calling at Nusa Tenggara Timur regularly sails from Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Makassar, Biak etc VV.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Kupang. The provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara in western Timor is the center of government, business, trade, and education. The only sandalwood oil factory in Indonesia is located in this town. Kupang also the spot for international game fishing every October.

Camplong. A lovely community about 45 km from Kupang with regular market days and a natural swimming pool, where local people bathe, do their laundry, and socialize as they have for thousands of years. Camplong is
also a forest reserve protecting rare animals such as “Cervus timorensis” deer and several species of parrots and monkeys.

Maumere. A port town on the northeastern coast of Flores is a good place to stopover on the way to Ende or to Larantuka. It is well connected by air with Kupang, Denpasar and Ujung Pandang, and is noted for its good beaches. The bay of Maumere is considered the best diving spot in Flores, a paradise for divers, underwater photographers, and anyone interested in marine
biology. Ledalero museum on the outskirts of Maumere has an interesting collection of ethnological objects from the region. Visitors are welcome but advance arrangements should be made. Ledalero is also home to a major Catholic Seminary where many Florinese priests are trained.

Mt. Kelimutu. East Nusa Tenggara’s most visited natural wonder and one of Indonesia’a most mysterious and dramatic sights, is found on top of this mountain, some 66 km from Ende, or 83 km from Maumere. The spectacular
view of its three crater lakes, each with a distinct color, is not only a major tourist attraction, but the stuff of myth and legends. The lakes have continuously changed their colors over the years: today the largest is light
turquoise, the next olive green and the third black. The local people believe that the souls of young people go to the first when they die, the old to the second, and the black lake is reserved for thieves and murderers.

For more places of interest, please visit
http://www.my-indonesia.info/page.php?ic=1122&prov=19

TOURIST OFFICE

Jl. Raya El Tari 2 No. 72
Kupang 85118
Telp. (0380) 833104, 833650
Fax. (0380) 821540

 
   
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