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

info@bintangfloreshotel.com

http://www.bintangfloreshotel.com/

Jl. Pantai Pede Labuan Bajo

Ø Sea World Club