East Nusa Tenggara
East Nusa Tenggara (
Indonesian:
Nusa Tenggara Timur)
is a
province of
Indonesia. It is located in the eastern part of
the
Lesser Sunda Islands
and includes
West Timor.
The provincial capital is
Kupang in West Timor.
The province consists of about 566 islands, the largest and most dominant
are
Flores,
Sumba,
and the western half of
Timor (i.e.,
West Timor). The eastern part of Timor is the
independent country of
East Timor.
Other islands include
Adonara,
Alor,
Komodo,
Lembata,
Menipo,
Raijua,
Rincah,
Rote Island (the southernmost island in
Indonesia),
Savu,
Semau, and
Solor.
The highest point in the province is
Mount Mutis in the
Timor Tengah Selatan
district, 2,427 meters above sea level.
East Nusa Tenggara is the only province in Indonesia where
Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion.
PEOPLE
The population
of the province was estimated to be 4,683,800 in 2010[12] The religious mix is atypical of
Indonesia with around 90% Christian (majority
Catholic, but with a large Protestant population), 8% Muslim, 0.6% Hindu or Buddhist, and 0.4% holding traditional
beliefs. East Nusa Tenggara has become a refuge for Indonesian Christians
fleeing from conflict in Maluku and Irian Jaya.
Culture
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 begins several day after the full moon and coincides
with the yearly arrival of strange multihued sea worms (called nyale) of the
region’s shore.
THE
GEOGRAPHY
East
Nusa Tenggara is one of the four provinces in the Nusa Tenggara (Southeast
Islands). starting from Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, and east
timor. It stretch is between the east longitude of 118° and 125°, and between
the southern latitude lines of 1 18° and 125°, and between the southern
latitude lines of 8° and 12°. The territory of East Nusa Tenggara Province
comprises 566 islands. The three main islands are Flores, Sumba, and Timor from
which come the term FLOBAMOR, which has been familiar as one of the names of
East Nusa Tenggara.
Flores
is the main volcanic island and has many unique and spectacular attractions,
one of these is Mount Kelimutu with it's three lakes of distinct color
variation, has become one of the fabled destinations travelers. Sumba is the
island famous for its arts, handicrafts, particularly the textile weaving, and
cultural assets. Timor, being the principal island with Kupang as its capital,
serves as the center of government and economic activities. The other name
given to East Nusa Tenggara is "Nusa Cendana" the Sandalwood Island.
TOURISM PLACES
LIANG BUA
Liang Bua is a
cave in a limestone hill in Manggarai District, Flores. The local community is
familiar with this cave because of its huge size (50 meters long, 40 meters
wide, and 25 meters tall). Due to its size, it was once used as a religious
worship place and school.
Liang
Bua is famous the world over following the finding of an ancient skull. The
skull was that of a short human called Homo floresiensis, found at a depth of 6
meters. Its brain measured only 380 cc (compared to a minimum 1200 cc for
a normal modern human brain). Archaeologists are of the opinion that this skull
originated from an era back in time some 18,000 years ago.
In addition, in a depth of
10.7 meters, ancient animal bones were also found including those of stegodon
(an ancient elephant), komodo, turtles, and lizards.
To
Buy
No souvenir or
handicraft shops are available near Liang Bua.
Kelimutu : Adventure to the Three colored Lakes
Kelimutu
area is surrounded with forest containing floras that are scarcely found in
Flores area. Other than pines, there are also casuarinas, red wood and
edelweiss. Pine forest grows well in this side of Kelimutu Mountain. The other
side of the mountain is dried land with highly unstable sand and soil. Local
community believes that Kelimutu Mountain is sacred and donates fertility to
the nature nearby.
Visitors can only walk
around Lake Kelimutu but not all areas can be explored because some are
dangerous and therefore restricted. Â From Moni to Kelimutu, if you like
to go trekking, there is a path which is shorter than the car access route.
Distance from Moni to the
top is about 12 kilometer (km). The distance to the parking lot by motor
vehicle is 11 kilometer, and then visitors will climb on foot through the
pathway for 30 minutes.
To Eat
There are a few restaurants
in Moni. Simple warungs for locals are also available in Moni’s local market,
but very limited to local needs. Going to Kelimutu, you do not have to bring
food since the hiking is only an hour or so. You must bring your own before
going to the national park, especially drinking water. Ginger tea sellers
are available at the top of the mountain where people flock there to watch the
sunrise.
Arwanti
Restaurant and
Bintang Restaurant
are most recommended.
To Buy
Local souvenirs are
available at the parking area. You will find kain ikat, the hand woven shawl or
sarong made especially in Flores. Each district in Flores has its own motifs.
Harapan Jaya
(woven materials, ivory carvings)
Jl. Pasar Baru Timur
Phone :
+62 (0)
382 821227,821240 Maumere
Subur Jaya
(woven materials, ivory carvings)
Jl. Pasar Baru Timur
Phone :
+62 (0)
382 821235 Maumere
Karya Baru
(woven materials, handicrafts, antiques)
Jl. R. Suprapto No. 4
Phone :
+62 (0) 382
821454 Maumere
THE
CLIMATE
Due
to central highlands and their closeness to Australia, the seasions are
irregular. Generally the islands are semi-arid, with a longer dry season
lasting from March to November. The wet season lasts from December to March,
but can be considerably shorter and small island of Savu. Flores has an
irregular coast line and rugged landscape due to its volcanic origin. The vegetation
is plentiful and rich in diversity. Wildlife includes species of lizards,
monkeys and parrots. There is also an abundant marine life with reef sharks,
sperm whales, dolphins and tropical fish.
East
Nusa Tenggara is mountainous, and very steep slopes are everywhere besides some
not too wide plateaus or uplands. The low-lands are a long the coastal areas
only. Despite of the situation, most part of this region are not fertile, since
the rainfall varies between 500 mm and 2000 mm a year.
RELIGION
Eventhough
the majority of the Indonesia population is Islam, most of the people in East
Nusa Tenggara are Christian. There are about 56% Catholics, 35% Protestant 8%
Islam, 0,6% Hindu and Buddhist, and the rest still follow their traditional
systems of belief. One of the outstanding traditional beliefs is Marupu
L A N G U
A G E S
There
are a lot of languages spoken in East Nusa Tenggara coming from as many
different which groups of the population. Bahasa Indonesia is the national
language in to Malay, written in Roman script and based in European
orthography, In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign
language fairly spoken and written.
THE
CUISINE
The
staple food of most Indonesian is popularly rice. From the surrounding seas as
well as fresh water fish-eries, fish is abundant and of great variety, such as
lobsters, oysters, prawns, shrimps, squids, crabs, and so on. Coconut is
available everywhere and green coconut are now sold in recreation Places.
Spices and hot chili peppers are the essence of most cooking, particularly for
those coming from Sumatra (found in Padang Restaurants). Pork dishes are
specialties for the people of East Nusa Tenggara but served only in Chinese
Restaurants are easily found all over the country. Nearly all restaurants in
East Nusa Tenggara serve Indonesian food can also be found in some big
restaurants.
THE LIVE
HOOD
The
people of East Nusa Tenggara are predominantly agrarian. The agricultural
products are for domestic consumption including rice, corn, cassava, soybeans,
etc.
THE
TRANSPORTATION
To get to East Nusa Tenggara can be simply done by using any
means of transportations (air, sea, and land).
A I R
Air
transport is the easiest and most comfortable means of travel in East Nusa
Tenggara. Kupang, as the provincial capital, serves as the air gate from Darwin
(Australia) twice a week using Merpati Nusantara Airlines, Kupang is
well connected with Denpasar and Dili by daily direct Merpati flights. F r o m
Ujungpandang there is also daily flight to Kupang from Denpasar via Waingapu
(Sumba) or Maumere (Flores),
Kupang is reachable from Surabaya and Dili by direct Sempati
Air flights. By using Bouraq Airlines one can get to Kupang from
Denpasar via Waingapu (Sumba) or Maumere.
Merpati also fly to Kupang from Denpasar via Waingapu or
Maumere everyday, and from Bima via Labuanbajo, Ruteng, Ende. or Maumere.
There are still some towns in East Nusa Tenggara having air
connection with Kupang, such as Kalabahi (Alor), Rote, Savu, Bajawa (Flores),
and Tambolaka (Sumba).
S E A
The
other way get to East Nusa Tenggara is by sea transportation. There are three
passenger ships (owned by state shipping company - PELNI) calling at East Nusa
Tenggara sea ports once a fortnight with their respective sailing schedules and
routes.
KM Dobonsolo touches in
at Kupang from Denpasar and from Dili. The route of the vessel is as follows:
Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Kupang, Dili, Ambon, Sorong, Manokwari, Biak,
Jayapura vise versa.
KM Binaiya drops in at
some sea-ports in East Nusa Tenggara on her routes from Surabaya to Balikpapan.
The route is as follows : Surabaya, Lembar, Bima, Labuanbajo, Waingapu, Ende,
Kupang, Kalabahi, Dili, Maumere, Ujungpandang, Balikpapan vise versa.
KM Tatamailau calls in
at Labuanbajo and Larantuka from Ujungpandang and Dili. The route of the ship
is as follows: Tual, Timikal, Merauke, Dobo, Saumaki, Kisa, Dili, Larantuka,
Labuanbajo, Badas, Banyuwangi. Denpasar, vise versa.
KM Tilongkabila
calls in at Labuanbajo from Ujungpandang and Bima in the following route:
Ujungpandang, Labuanbajo, Bima, Denpasar, Banyuwangi, vise versa.
LAND
Buses
are the most popular means of transportation in East Nusa Tenggara that can
take you wherever town you want to go. The means of transportation in towns are
usually bemo. Taxis (non-metered) are available in Kupang. To hire one you have
to ask for the price which depends on the distance. Taxi cost between Rp
7,000.00 and Rp 15,000.00 from the airport to the downtown area of the city
where most hotels are located. Hotel chartered taxi services are provided by
some of the leading hotels in the city. East Nusa Tenggara can also be reached
by ferry from Bima (to Labuanbajo).
Ferries
also connect Kupang with Rote (everyday) and Savu.
Other ferry lines are as follows:
- from Kupang to Ende. Waingapu, Savu, vv.
- from Kupang to Larantuka, Lembata, vv.
- from Kupang to Kalabahi. Atapupu, vv.
Hotel Booking / Reserve
Ø Bintang Flores Hotel
(620385)
42000
Jl.
Pantai Pede Labuan Bajo
Ø
Sea World Club
+62 382 21570
Nai Roa KM 13, Waiara Flores P.O. Box 103 Maumere
Ø The Jayakarta Suites Komodo Flores
Jl.
Pantai Pede KM 5 Labuan Bajo, Flores, 86554 Labuan Bajo
Ø
Centro Bajo Hotel and Resto Labuan Bajo
Jl.
Sukarno Hatta, Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
