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Enchantment in Danau Tiga Warna Kelimutu Lake Flores island

If your hobby is natural activity, do a trip to Lake Three Colors, Flores, who was in the northern island of Flores, precisely in the village of strikes, District Moni, Ende, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. According to some sources encountered, the best time to enjoy the scenery in a natural lake that lies on top of Mount Flores it was early morning at sunrise.

Travel can be reached from the town of Ende which takes approximately two hours with a standard speed. To get an amazing view of sunrise, you have to leave at around 3:30 pm.

Transport access to the lake is not so easy, but local and foreign tourists usually prefer to hire a vehicle through local travel agents, or if the clever approach of local communities, not hard we can rent their bikes. But do not forget to check the condition of the vehicle before, do not let your tour plagued by technical problems resulting from our own negligence.

Or if we do not want to rush off early morning, may also choose to stay at some home stay run by local people with a range of Rp 25,000 to Rp 50,000. Or we can stay in cottages provided local governments with a range of Rp 50,000 to Rp 75,000. All depends on your needs.

Approximately two hours along winding roads, ravines and cliffs on its sides, as well as road conditions are not so smooth in some parts until we get to the village of Moni, the village is situated at the foot of Mount Flores. Stinging cold to the bone, heavy clothing becomes an obligation for this trip. Therefore, for those of you who have an allergy cold, it is advisable to wear thick clothing.

From the village of Moni, the lake has ever been nominated for the wonders of the world that live within 45 minutes travel alone. The road narrowed and began to climb. But the natural scenery on the left and right to be tired of drugs and make this challenging journey enjoyable.

To enter national parks Flores, we only pay a fee of Rp 2,000 only. To get to the lip of the lake, we still have to up the stairs and cobblestone streets about 20 minutes. The sound of birds chirping and forest insects accompany each step to the lake which is located 1690 meters above sea level until we get to the point of view.

Creation of the Almighty etched in front of the eyes, three separate crater-shaped lake on the left and right. If adjusted to the eye, the lake on the left or brownish-black in the local language is called Ata Mbupu Tiwu which according to local belief, the lake is a haven of old ghosts.

Who's who on the right, there are two separate lakes thin cliffs. A light-blue local call Tiwu Nuwa Muri Ko'o Fai or lake funeral spirits of young people, being the rightmost dark green Tiwu named Ata Polo, who is believed to be the wake wicked spirits.

According to local residents who had accompanied there, you include people who are lucky if the trip to see a monkey. Local people believe that the lake is a sacred lake and give fertility to the surrounding area, it is not uncommon ceremonies are often held at the lake where people make offerings to the spirits of the earth results in the lake.

Changes in the natural and eternal trust

Kelimutu had erupted in 1886 and left three shaped crater lake water color can change unexpectedly, according to the mineral content and the weather. Unexpected changes the color of lake water, it makes its own mystery is not able to solve until now.

It is worth noting, once the lake is never red, white and blue. Like two sides of a coin that could not be separated, to walk in harmony with the natural changes lasting trust of local communities to make a magic lake itself is an attraction for everyone, especially those of you outdoors enthusiasts and fans of natural scenery.

source: kompas.com

How to Indulge Yourself while Being in Lombok

Lombok island located in West Nusa Tenggara is almost head-to-head with its neighbour island, Bali, in competition of attracting foreign and domestic tourists. Lombok can be categorized as one of the compelete tourist destinations with its fantastic natural resources starting from Mount Rinjani to exotic and rarely visited beaches including Kuta beach, Aan Cape, as well as the attractive small islets (known as gili).

There are six ways that can be applied by backpackers or non-backpackers to maximize fun of having a vacation in the island.

1. Be well-prepared with itineraries. Spontanities in preparing them sometimes can be more exciting but they are supposed to be the subject to skip if you only have time contraints to have a vacation. Find as much as possible the information of destinations from internet such as accomodations, transportations, distances and durations of visiting one place to the others. Doing them will hinder you from conflict of ideas or spending time on discussing destinations especially if you take the vacation in groups.

One of the sites, www.visitlomboksumbawa.net helps you find the information on festivals usually held in Lombok. As an example, Malena Sapi (cow race) is held this month in West Lombok and Senggigi Festival is held in Batu Layar village, Lobar regency, West Lombok.

2. It takes more money if you have to rent a car compared with taking a public transportation in Lombok such as Bemo (shuttle bus) or Cidomo (horse cart). An 8-hour car rent of Avanza provided with its driver can be charged for local rate at Rp300,000. The service will enable you to reach areas not served by public transportations as bemo or cidomo are rarely found in Mataram and mostly found out of the city.

The car rent also offers a free of charge tour guide service besides a driver. The drivers know very well the tourist attractions mostly visited by tourists or places rarely visited but abundant with spectacular natural resources as they are natives of the local areas. Don't forget to get the fixed rate of the service to prevent you from having arguments when paying the bill after using the service.

3. Extra cash needed. No charges for entering handicraft centers in Banyumulek Village, Sasak tribe traditional village, Sade village, and Lingsar castle. However, there will be boxes of donation placed at several places that need your volunteer contributions of around Rp5,000-10,000 to help develop local villages.

The amount of money will be needed for volunteer payment of local tour guides that are able to tell you in details of stories and histories on local tourist attractions. That's why it's necessary to prepare small changes of Rp5,000-10,000.

4. Drop by the rarely visited places when taking a trip around Lombok Island as there are many unique places to explore besides common places visited by tourists. Thefore it is necessary to leave as early as 7 in the morning to make sure you have enough time to explore the places. During the time, you can take a view of Sasak farmers planting seeds of paddy in the morning mist. The rising sun shining the greeny paddy fields completes the lovely view.

The moment can be taken by photographers who want to get the scenes of farmers planting paddys, male farmers cultivating fields, as well irregular buyers purchasing dry unhusked rice from farmers. You can take time mingling with locals by greeting and introducing yourself to them. Gradually they will find the comfort to share with you about their daily life and activities as Sasak farmers. If lucky, you will be invited by them to have breakfast on the edge of paddy fields by them.

Stop by the open traditional markets located at road sides. There are days, Mondays and Thursdays, in which all traders from the whole regions of Lombok gather at spots such as Sengkol market, Central Lombok.

5. Be ready with sunblocks. Lombok island is well-known for its exotic beaches lying from West Lombok to South Lombok. Senggigi Beach and three gili lie; Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air, lie in West Lombok. While fascinating beaches; Kuta, Tanjung Aan and Mawun beach, lie in South Lombok.

There several kinds of activities that you can do on the beaches such as sunbathing, snorkeling, diving, as well as surfing. Sunblock is compulsory to carry along as scorching sunshine on the beaches can get you sunburn. At least by applying sunblock, you do not have to be bothered thinking about being sunburn and can have more fun doing kinds of activities on the beaches.

6. Be ready to have parties on Gili and Senggigi! Night festivities in the island are minimal, not like the ones in Bali popular with its 24-hour festive life. The center of city looks quiet from sort of activities starting at 10 pm.

However, if you still insist on spending the night life in Lombok, you can head to Senggigi where dozens of cafes, karaoke pubs, as well as seafood restaurants are open till late at night.

Enjoy the beauty of night life if you happen to stay in Gili Trawangan. Tourist will be lured by festivities and music entertainment and they can dance to their hearts' contentment until morning comes.
Source:kompas.com