Gili Asahan is a small island located in the Bay of Sekotong in South West Lombok. The small scale Pearl Beach Resort is the perfect place to unwind. They offer comfortable beach bungalows and simple bamboo cottages, both very reasonably priced. Diving around the Bay of Sekotong is magnificent, beautiful corals, giant sea turtles and – for the daredevils – hammerhead sharks await you at Belongas Bay.

Sometimes you come across a place you never want to leave again. Tree Top restaurant, set in the hills overlooking the bay of Labuan Bajo, the capital of Flores, is one of these places. Its location is absolutely breathtaking, as the sun sets, the bay of Labuan Bajo turns from orange, to pink to purple. Quite a dramatic backdrop for savoring some delicious cocktails, a vegetarian shake, or a freshly brewed Luwak coffee!

By: Ed Caffin

Lombok, nestled between Bali and Sumbawa, is a stunningly beautiful island. It consists of green mountains and highlands, lush and fertile lowlands and countless pristine beaches. Dubbed “the unspoiled Bali” by many travelers, development Lombok’s tourism industry over the past few years has been dazzling. With the new international airport recently opened and numerous new hotels, Lombok seems ready to become Indonesia’s next top tourist destination. I headed out there to check it out.

On my first trip to Lombok, some five years ago, the island certainly seemed unspoiled. At least to a large extent. Apart from the west coast, large scale tourism could not be found. Lombok’s interior, dotted by small villages and rice fields, was reminiscent of what Bali would have looked like 20 years ago. Although hardly comparable in culture and heritage, Lombok could indeed rival its neighbor’s beauty. But it didn’t have the crowds. As I found out on this trip, it’s quite a different story now.

By: Ed Caffin

The marvellous Komodo National Park is arguably one of the most interesting places to visit in Indonesia. Located on the edge of the Lesser Sunda islands, it consists of a number of phenomenal islands, surrounded by clearblue coral seas, abundant with marine life. But above all, the park is home to a truly remarkable creature, the Komodo dragon, worlds largest lizard. Spending a few days in the heart of dragon’s territory will prove to be unforgettable.

Komodo National Park comprises more than 1700 square kilometers and was established in 1980 in order to conserve the Komodo dragon. Currently there are still around 5000 of them, divided into smaller populations on Komodo, Rinca and two other islands in the park, and a small coastal strip on Flores. The national park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986 and over the years it has been dedicated to protect the habitat of other land and marine species too.

By: Asian Way

Are you looking for unspoiled nature, authentic culture and quiet beaches? Explore the hidden beauty of the Lesser Sunda Islands!

Discover the flower of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Cabo das Flores (Flower Cape), as the Portuguese baptized the island in the sixteenth century. It is the westernmost island of the province of Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT). Together with the island of Timor, the largest part of the population here is Catholic, though ancient animistic beliefs, are still part of daily life. The inhabitants of central and eastern Flores exhibit Papuan and Melanesian influences, the population of West Flores, however, has a strong Malaysian appearance.

In terms of natural beauty there is no doubt that Flores is the most beautiful island of NTT, it offers the most variety in scenery. From the west you travel through green rice terraces, tropical forest, gently rolling hills and mountains, to steep cliffs and deep ravines in the central area, giving way to a dryer, sometimes savanna-like landscape in the east. Over the entire length of the island one finds at least twelve volcanoes, some still active.

By: Jacobus E. Lato

Kelimutu is a volcano on the island of Flores. At 1,640 meters above sea level, the mountain forms the highest point on the island; Its main attractions are the three colored crater lakes: Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People) is usually blue and is the westernmost of the three lakes. Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) is usually green, while Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) is reddish in color. The color of the lakes changes as a result of chemical reactions resulting from the minerals contained in the lake, possibly triggered by volcano gas activity.

The name Kelimutu can be roughly translated as the “Getting together mountains;” Keli means mountain, Mutu means get together. The locals believe that Kelimutu is under the reign of Konde Ratu, a supernatural king, who rules over the  spirits of the dead. Young spirits reside happily in Tiwu Koo Fai Nuwa Muri (Lake of the Young Men and Maidens); the old live in Tiwu Ata Bupu (Lake of Old People), while evil spirits dwell in Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched Lake).

By: Ed Caffin

Apart from the legendary surfspots at Maluk and Lakey Peak, few see more of Sumbawa. Mostly, it is only observed from behind the window of a bus, speeding over the trans-island highway to the eastern side, just in time to catch the ferry to Flores. The odd traveler that spends more time to explore the island, finds himself lucky enough to enjoy it’sbeauty in relative solitude. His sole companion might preferably be a motorbike.

Public transportation isn’t very good on Sumbawa, which is probably the main reason why most travelers never make it here. Thus, renting a motorbike seems a great way to explore Sumbawa. A sepeda motor is never hard to find anywhere in Indonesia. On Sumbawa, rental bikes tend to be more expensive (around 75.000 Rupiah per day), so if you’re on a tight budget, get one on Bali (around 35.000) or Lombok (usually around 50.000) and take it across with the ferry.