East Flores regency hopes to exploit tourism potential

East Flores regency hopes to exploit tourism potential

Text and photos by Yacob Herin

LARANTUKA, Flores (JP): Tourism in East Flores is marked by a
wealth of natural and cultural attractions.

Many sites in the mountainous and coastal areas have great
potential. The tradition of catching whales has existed for
centuries at Lamalera village on Lembata island. Catholics from
around the world join in the yearly procession on Good Friday,
carrying a statue of the Virgin Mary through the town of
Larantuka. The procession tradition has been kept alive since the
16th century when the Portuguese first came to Flores.

East Flores with its many small islands has an abundance of
panoramic views. A beautiful sea garden with multicolored fish
and enchanting views from the hills and mountains allow for
spiritual relaxation and physical rejuvenation.

Tourists can witness tenun ikat being made from hand-spun
yarn, traditional ceremonies, historical Portuguese, Dutch and
English remains like cannons and statues, as well as antique
ivory tusks from elephants which never lived in Flores or its
surrounding areas.

The regency of East Flores has a surface area of 10,163 square
kilometers, including Adonara Island, Solor Island and Lembata
Island. It has a total of 260,471 inhabitants. The town of
Larantuka preserves numerous religious mysteries and a unique
culture.

The influences of ethnic cultures from the Roman Empire, the
Portuguese, the Malay and Lamaholot are integrated into the
Christianity of the area, both in daily activities and in
relation to God. The Virgin Mary is a strong force and
protectress of the town of Larantuka. She is also the mother of
all mothers who cares for and protects her people with
compassionate love.

East Flores regent Hendrikus Hengki Mukin told The Jakarta
Post that the government was aware of the limited funds from
regional revenues. The Rp 1.5 billion gathered, he said, is
insufficient to develop infrastructure in the territory.

He looks forward to cooperating with domestic and foreign
investors. At the moment the regional government is planning to
build a tourism center around a hot water source some 16
kilometers east of Larantuka. A control station for the hot water
source, a reservoir, filter and channel for the source as well as
a fence surrounding the area will cost around Rp 600 million.

Other facilities planned include a bar, a restaurant/night
club, an open performance stage, cold and hot water swimming
pools, saunas, a mini Flores pool, a recreational park for
children, a canteen and restaurant, a guard house, an artificial
lake, a pedestrian bridge and bathrooms and rest rooms. Water
sports, speed boats, water skiing, scuba diving and other
recreational activities will be available.

East Flores is accessible by air from Australia and New
Zealand via Darwin and Kupang. A ferry service from Kupang to
Larantuka leaves twice a week, while ferries from the small
islands of Alor, Lembata, Adonara and Solor can also be caught. A
ferry service takes passengers from Balawuring on Lembata island
to Baranusa on Alor island twice a week, while a domestic flight
serving Kupang, Lewoleba on Lembata island and Larantuka flys
twice a week.