Hiden Paradise - East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

East Nusa Tenggara (Indonesian: Nusa Tenggara Timur) is a province of Indonesia in the eastern part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, including West Timor. The provincial capital is Kupang in West Timor. East Nusa Tenggara is the only province in Indonesia where Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion. 

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If you’re seeking white sand, spectacular diving and surf, bubbling hot springs, majestic waterfalls and hidden traditional villages – away from Bali-esque crowds – then Nusa Tenggara is your wonderland. Spreading west from the Wallace Line dividing Asia from Australasia, this archipelago is jungle-green in the north and tending to drier savannah in the south and east. In between are limitless surf breaks and barrels, technicolor volcanic lakes, pink-sand beaches, swaggering dragons and underwater worlds filled with colour and creatures.

You’ll also find a cultural diversity that's unmatched, even in multicultural Indonesia. Animist rituals and tribal traditions still thrive alongside minarets, convents and chapels, and though Bahasa Indonesia is the lingua franca, each island has at least one native language, often subdivided into dialects. From a beach-forward, tourist-ready vacation to stepping outside your comfort zone for the sort of experiences that leave an indelible mark on your memory, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.

 

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. Ende. This town contains the home-in-exile of the first Indonesian president Soe karno during the early period of nationalist movements in 1936. The house has been repaired and is today a museum.

Semau Island. Thirty minutes by boat from Kupang, this untainted island paradise is well worth a stopover. The surrounding crystal-clear waters offer exceptional snorkeling and swimming. Bamboo bungalows are available on the white sandy beach, and you can barbeque your freshly-caught dinner while enjoying a spectacular sunset.

Mount Kelimutu. East Nusa Tenggara’s mostvisited 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.

Larantuka. A little port nestled at the base of a tall hill at the eastern end of Flores; Larantuka has a strong Portuguese cultural heritage. The annual Easter Procession held in this town is well worth the trip if you are here at this time of the year.

Lamalera Whale Hunting. Lamalera on Lembata Island is a whaling village. The months of May to September are the whale hunting season for the people of Lamalera. Using simple traditional tools as small row boats and hand-thrown harpoons, the hunters sail out to hunt these giant creatures of the sea. The catch is either consumed or sold.

Waikabubak. An archaic little town in Western Sumba, full of old graves carved in motifs of buffalo-horns, horses, nude men and women. There are several megalithic tombs. The fronts of many traditional houses are decorated with huge water buffalo horns from the animals sacrificed du ring rituals of years gone by. Tarung village, an important ceremonial center, is located on top of a hill just a half kilometre to the west of Waikabubak.

Anakalang is the site of the “Purung Takadonga Ratu”, an important mass mariage festival held every two years, on a date determinated by the full moon.

Komodo Island. A small island of 280 square km, Komodo is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. It is famous for its giant pre-historic lizards, considered the last of their kind remaining in the world today. Called “ora” by the local people, Komodo “dragon” (Varanus Komodoensis) is actually a giant monitor lizard. Growing up to 3 to 4 meters in length, its ancestors roamed the earth up to about half a million years ago. The only human population on the island is at the fishing village called Komodo who suppiment their income breeding goats which are used to feed the lizards. The Komodo is protected by law and although they are considered harmless, it is advisable to keep them at a distance. Komodo Island is now a nature reserve, home to a number of rare bird species, deer, and wild pigs, which are prey to the lizards as well. This island can be reached by boat from Labuan Bajo.

Labuanbajo. A little fishing town at the extreme western part of Flores, this town serves as a jumping-off point for the trip to Komodo Island. It is a beautiful area for water skiing; wind Surfing, fishing, and many other marine activities.

Rote Island is a part of Kupang Regency in the west coast of Kupang. Rote has many historical relieves including fine unique Chinese porcelains as well as ancient arts are traditions. Rote Island also famous for its “Sasando” a traditional harpa which is made of palm leaves.

Nemberela Beach is the most beautiful beach and ideal for surfing. Surfers from all over the world come here to try the rough surf from June to October. It is located at the South West part of Rote Island.

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Tourism Events

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Pasola Jousting Ceremony in Sumba Island East Nusa Tenggara. “Pasola” is west Sumba’s most exciting ritual. Scores of colorfully arrayed horsemen riding bare back, battle with lances. During these mock wars, riders charge one another flinging blunt spears. The ceremony is held during February in the Lamboya and Kodi Villages and March in Gaura and Wanokaka. It’s begins several day after the full moon and coincides with the yearly arrival of strange multihued sea worms of the region’s shore.