Flores Day 5: Finding The Last Village of Ngada & Bena

10 November 2011

Water is the natural cure for illness. Since I failed to get any medicine to ease my swollen throat, i tried to drink as much water as possible. It helps somehow. At least this morning I feel  a lot better. The next destination is Bajawa. It's another rocky road. Out from Riung, i feel relieved. The weather is better. Chilling. We drive up to the hill. Follow the stoney road to the timber forest. It is a tough road. We're slipping several time. Trapped in the mud holes in the middle of the road.

After going up and down, then we arrive to one of the key highlight of the trip. A visit to Ngada tribal village. To me, it's like entering a lost world! In the middle of the forest, out of civilization and I can see group of another traditional house. It's so cool. It looks so ancient and exotic.

Travelling

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Flores Day 4 - Traveller screams for a doctor

9 November 2011

I'm exaggerating. In fact, my throat burns. I lose my voice. I'm running out of medicine. I got fever last night. Not so sure if I can carry on the snorkelling plan. Let Giu goes alone. Only later on I realise  it isn't a good decision. The weather in Riung is so hot. With no aircond in the room, I feel even burnt up. I guess jumping to the sea is a lot better.

I was trying to find a doctor this afternoon. But there's no doctor in here. The hotel guy took me to a midwife instead. He said, she can also help when people get sick. I asked if he can take me to the hospital. Well.. I didn't know that the nearest hospital is in Ende. Another 7 hours drive back :(. Not so many option but … keep calm and eat chicken soup! 

Only in this situation we can really appreciate everything we have. Even if just a simple thing that we've taken for granted. Such as… cold drink water!!

Travelling

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Flores Day 3 - Lio Traditional House: a house with boobies.

8 November 2011

By 11am, we pack the luggage again. Today we are moving from Ende to Riung. It's gonna be long 7 hours driving, Vitalis warns us. But no worries, good view is waiting outside the window anyway. He promised us that we'll make some stop at interesting place. In one hour driving, we reach the outside part of the city. Back to villagers line, candle nut trees, rice paddy field. All green and green. 

We make some stops to get fruit, try the wooden bridge… and after another more drive, finally we see something really interesting. Traditional tribal village! There's a very huge tree at the entrance. It's so huge with a lot of roots. Which pretty much tells us the village must be very old.

Huge tree at the village entrance

Travelling

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Flores Day 3 - Kelimutu Lakes: The lakes that change colours.

When the sun break the sky - Kelimutu Mountain

" When the sun comes up…. it is when Heaven meets Earth. We call it Dawn"

8 November 2011

It is 3am. So freezing at the lodge. I washed my face to wake me up. Heat water and make a cup of hot tea. When I open the balcony, it is still so dark outside. I sit for a while. Enjoying the morning breeze, its stillness and its quietness. Not so long after, Vitalis and another tour guide has also woken up. I put on sneaker and load camera to my back pack.

It is 3.30am and we are heading up the hour long winding road in the blistering cold. Once on the top we continue the journey by foot. We have flashlight for the way and it was about 30 minutes to the 250 steps up to the crater. I'm running out of breath. By the time i stop to catch some more air, a woman passing me by. She carries big bowl in her head and water thermos in her hand. Yet, she walks like in a flat path. I feel humiliated. :p. 

Travelling

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Flores Day 2 : from Fruit to Fruit and History in Between

7 November 2011

The first morning in Flores, I fall in love with the fruit. Nothing beat the fresh ones. Ripe and picked from the tree. I'm a big hater of papaya and pinneaple. Even I have a joke about papaya. It's the saddest fruit on earth for having such a bland flavor. Neither sweet or sour. It is not soo good looking either. And I also often complain about pineapple for having to many pines and tasted too sour. It makes my tongue itchy.

Fruit heaven. I'm in loooveeee!! I'm in looovee!

But in here.. I don't dare mocking with the fruits. They are super duper delicious. It seems to me the land has natural sugar and lemon water. Whatever comes out from the tree, taste so freshly sweet. It's soo refreshing. I could finish a plate of pineapple alone.

Travelling

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Flores Day 1 : The Journey Begins

Flores Overland Trip, November 2011

This is my first trip to Eastern Indonesia. It's pretty shameful as I didn't have the gut. People are talking about the beauty of this region. Some part of me overestimate the situation. Is it safe? is it OK? Advise for traveller in doubt (including my self), just go packing and jump to wherever you are dreaming of. The only regret you'll have is you've forgotten to bring your own sheet. Nothing more.

And Flores is as beautiful as it is being told. Though it was a bit of hassle in the beginning. I booked ticket with Batavia Air. Just when I arrived at the airport, I got information this flight is no longer operating since 1st Oct. Damnn!! It is a big madness. The airport guy was very helpful to arrange the refund and find another flight. Thanks God it was exactly 2 seats available with Wings Air at 13.35. Fiuuuu... Relieved!! Maumere here we come!!

Wings Air with propeler

We arrived at Maumere nearly dusk and no chance to explore the city. Our tour guide, Vitalis, brought us straight to the hotel.  Simple resort over looking Waiara Beach: Sea World Club Beach Hotel. Very quiet.  Good matress and clean linen. Simple with quality. 

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The Night Circus - a book of love and magic

The book I didn’t intentionally buy at the very first time. I was just browsing around to find birthday gift for a friend and my eyes catched this 20% discounted one. The cover looked intriguing. I checked quickly on www.goodreads.com.  Rated 3.99 out of 5 starts. It convinced me that it might be a good one.

With all my laziness withregard to reading, this book got me. I tend to give up book at its 3^rd chapter, where I start to lose interest over too much blab la bla and not enough tension or engaging stories to keep me reading.  Sometimes, I just read the first 2 chapters that got me interesting set up and then jump to the last 2 chapters to see what’s the ending. I know it’s a crime. But it’s also writer’s crime not providing me good plot connector in between.

What about this book? What made this lazy reader finish it up?

"I would have written you, myself, if I could put down in words everything I want to say to you. A sea of ink would not be enough.' 'But you built me dreams instead"

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