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TRAVEL BLOG ENTRY
from Indonesian Odyessy
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So I flew to Flores to get away from other tourists and see a part of Indonesia less visited.
I landed at the port town of Labuanbajo, small fishing village, and the stageing point for dive trips or excursions on near by Komodo and Rinca islands.
I went diving the next day, the diving here is outstanding, the best reefs and widest variety of fish I"ve ever seen, so much color, Much better then my dive experiences in Thailand!!1 Our first dive was around a reef pinacle, saw some massive tuna, white tip reef sharks, and a whole wack of huge stange lookin fish. The second dive was to be the Manta dive, we got really lucky and were able to swim with around 15-20 huge manta rays. These things are so amazing to be beside in the water, so huge, like underwater stealth jets.
The next day I got on a bus full of Garlic, Rice, pigs and a few chickens, as well as a bunch of sweaty Indo's. I was the only whitey on there, which meant I got starred at a bunch, and laughed at a few times, so funny. The bus ride was really tiring. 12 hours up and down and round and round, one of my most crazy windy highways I've ever seen, and one of the most beautiful drives I've been on. Through jungle, vistas of the ocean, and huge Volcanoes, as well as views of rice feilds and workers. A few stops for some water buffalo to cross.
At the end of it I was in Bajawa, a cool town up in the mountains. From there I went to visit some traditional villages, and meet a bunch of interesting local people. I went to the village of Bena, which is at the foot of a huge ass Volcanoe. I stayed in Bajawa for a few days, then off to Ende.
Ende wasn't much, I just needed a break from the road. Next day I was off to Moni, to hike up Kelimutu, a big volcanoe, which has 3 lakes of all different colors. The lakes change colors over time, and they cannot explain what causes the color changes. It was an amazing experience being up there. I made it up for the sunrise. So pretty!! Its a very stange landscape on a volcano, something erie about it really. Definiite highlight.
Hiked down, went for a swim in a waterfall. Then chilled at a resturant reading. The next day I jumped on the back of an Ojek (motorcycle taxi) and went to visit some traditional villages around there, and to buy some Ikat, which is a special way of weaving that is very old. Got the Ikat, met some folks, and had a bomber rides through the mountains and jungle.
From there I went back to Ende, where I got super sick for a day. Dehydration, I"m a dumbass
Then I managed to meet a couple indo guys with a car. I offered them a little bit more money then the public bus would cost, and they agreed to give me a lift back to Labuanbajo.
I stayed In Labuan for a few days, where I got to witness the traditional danace of Caci aka whip dance. It was being held for an important wedding between two tribes in the area. Very wealthy people, for Flores standards. The two dances will face off, one with a wipe the other with a big sheild and stick. The antagonist will tease the other and then finally go in for the attack. The skill it to not get hurt, but you see lots of dudes bleeding. They do this all day, with bare feet in the sun on gravel. Pretty nuts. It was great to witness.
Then the next day I took off on the ferry to Sumbawa, overland by bus, to another ferry, to get to Lombok. I'll write another jurnal for that area.
So thats Flores is a condensed nutshelf. Loads happened there, and it was a great adventure.
Check the pics,
Word is born yall
adam
previous travel blog entry
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