Hi, guys! Last week, I returned from my Flores overland trip, Indonesia—it was memorable! Now, let me take you to Ende, my first stop of the journey ✨✨✨
Before that, did you know that Komodo Island is near Labuan Bajo, Flores?
If you plan to see Komodo dragons, you might as well explore other cities in Flores rather than just staying in Labuan Bajo. Maximize your flight tickets, baby!
My Flores overland trip route was: Ende > Bajawa > Ruteng > Labuan Bajo
There are two ways to reach Ende from Kuala Lumpur:
- Fly to Labuan Bajo > stay one night > morning flight to Ende
- Fly to Bali > stay one night > morning flight to Ende (transit in Labuan Bajo)
The first option seems like the most efficient and cost-saving. However, I feel there’s nothing much to do in Labuan Bajo.
So, my mom, sister, and I decided to stay one night in Bali to eat our favourite foods and snacks 😋😋😋
On the next day, we took the first flight to Ende. We transit for one hour in Labuan Bajo. The Labuan Bajo airport was simple and modern, there were some cafes and souvenir shops:
Alas, our flight to Ende was delayed 1.5 hours, but it’s okay! We were grateful that it wasn’t cancelled, haha…
While waiting, we searched for the best restaurants in Ende for our late lunch #foodislife
Pari Koro – The Best Restaurant in Ende, Flores?
Our research led us to Pari Koro restaurant. It had many good reviews and there was even a huge banner of the restaurant at Ende airport.
Luckily, the restaurant was close to the airport. It started to rain and we were starving. Alright, our first local lunch in Flores!
I liked everything about Pari Koro—the calming interior design and the food. Pari Koro turned out to be a Javanese restaurant, but it didn’t matter.
We ordered stir-fried morning glory with garlic, fried kampong/village chicken, grilled fish, fried tofu and tempe, and rice. The taste? Amazing 😭😭😭💯💯💯
By the way, the meat (chicken/beef/lamb/pork) and vegetables in Flores tasted way better than in the city. There was no smell and it tasted sweeter, thanks to the fertile soil and organic farming!
After lunch, we were supposed to visit Detusoko paddy field. But since our flight was delayed and we had a long journey to our accommodation, we visited the paddy field the day after.
Also read: “A Relaxing Walk in Zhaoxing Dong Village, Guizhou”
Also read: “Meow-ing with the Miao Tribe in Miao Village, Guizhou”
Eco Lodge Moni and Kelimutu Lake Sunrise Hike – Ende, Flores
We stayed for one night at Eco Lodge Moni, not far from Kelimutu Lake, the famous three coloured lake and the main destination in Ende.
Kelimutu is a volcano near Moni, Ende. The three volcanic crater lakes resulted from the eruptions, and their colours differ or change depending on the volcanic activity.
When we reached Eco Lodge Moni, some travellers from Germany, Switzerland, and Poland had arrived before us and were having their dinner.
So guys, if people are willing to come from far, far away for the Flores overland trip, what’s your excuse? Remember, maximize your flight tickets 😁
They said it was cold in Moni, but I felt hot!! Plus, there were mosquitoes because the lodge was surrounded by greenery and forest. Luckily, there was a mosquito net surrounding the bed.
At 4:30 am, our local tour guide and driver, Chris and Ricky, picked us up for the Kelimutu Lake sunrise hike. The hike was very easy, with wide, man-made stone staircases.
However, it was cold and very dark, so prepare a head flashlight, wind jacket, and hiking shoes!
We managed to reach the peak before sunrise. At that time, there weren’t many people yet, so we could take some photos without the crowd.
The return walk to the bottom of Kelimutu Mountain was light and refreshing. I love the greenery and fresh morning air!
CLARA15
Afterward, we returned to our lodge for breakfast and a shower. Surprisingly, the breakfast at Eco Lodge Moni was delicious! There were three options for breakfast:
- Fried rice
- Banana pancakes
- Omelette with bread
Each option came with fresh fruits (sliced papayas and bananas) and coffee/tea.
It was the best banana pancake we ever tasted! The dough was cooked medium-well, so it had a slightly moist texture… and the only sugar was from the bananas.
If only the chef used premium butter, it would be the perfect standard for cafes 😍🍌😍
After breakfast, my mom and I walked around the lodge while waiting for my sister to finish showering. Of course, I used the time to take some photos of the lodge (AM edition), hehe!
The sunlight, birds chirping, beautiful garden, and yummy breakfast… Thank you for the wonderful stay, Eco Lodge Moni!
Next, we continue to explore Ende for our Flores overland trip. There were more things to see in Ende besides Kelimutu Lake!
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Day 1”
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Day 2”
Wologai Traditional Village and Detusoko Paddy Field, Ende
We reached Wologai Traditional Village, where the Lio tribe resided. The unique houses were built circling the “Tubu Kanga”, a place to give offerings.
The houses looked similar, but you will notice there were three types of houses:
- Traditional houses – for the tribe chiefs
- Tribal houses – to store relics or heirlooms
- Large houses – used during rituals
Besides its unique shape, the Lio tribe also had a unique tradition before building the houses. They had to do a ritual called “Naka Wisu”, where they slaughtered a chicken and cut trees in the forest at 12 AM.
The wood from the trees was then used as poles for the houses.
Not far from Wologai Traditional Village, Ende, was Detusoko paddy field. The people in Flores may not be rich, but Mother Earth provides them with food.
Most of the villagers there were farmers. They eat rice, sweet potatoes, corn, cassava, etc. and lived peacefully with each other.
Alright, let’s go to the next destinations!
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Day 3”
Also read: “Baliem Valley Festival Budget Tour: Visitting Obia Village on Day 4”
Also read: “Rambu Solo, Toraja: The Grand Funeral that Attracts Travellers from Around the World”
Rumah Pengasingan Bung Karno and Taman Renungan Bung Karno, Ende
If you’re an Indonesian or a foreigner who loves history, don’t skip these destinations in your Flores overland trip:
- Rumah Pengasingan Bung Karno (Soekarno’s Exile House)
- Taman Renungan Bung Karno (Soekarno’s Reflection Park)
Soekarno was Indonesia’s first president. When he was exiled in Ende, Flores, he stayed at this house with his family from 1934-1938.
After Indonesia’s independence, he asked Abdullah Ambuwaru, the owner of the house, to turn the house into a museum.
The second historic destination you should visit in Ende, Flores, is Taman Renungan Bung Karno aka Soekarno’s Reflection Park.
In this park, Soekarno always sit under a big pohon sukun (breadfruit tree) and stared at the sea, thinking of the philosophical foundation and ideology for Indonesia, known as Pancasila.
So, what did Soekarno come up with? Here are the five principles (Pancasila):
- Belief in God
- Just and Civilized Humanity
- Unity of Indonesians
- Democracy Led by Wisdom and Social Justice
- Social Justice for All Indonesians
Thanks to Pancasila, although there are various tribes, ethnicities, and languages in Indonesia, we call ourselves “Indonesian” and are able to speak our main language, Bahasa Indonesia.
In Flores (overall, Indonesia), the locals respect all religions. Sometimes, you can find a church and a mosque built side by side.
When there was extremist terrorism, the Catholics gathered in front of the mosque to protect their Muslim neighbours when they prayed, and vice versa.
The majority of Muslims in Indonesia are flexible and mind their own business. For example, pork is one of the main menu in Flores.
However, muslims with hijab have no problem entering non-halal restaurants, they just don’t order pork or alcohol. Nobody reports anyone, it’s their responsibility to their God.
Oh ya, the locals in Flores hold two religions – main religion (Catholic/Islam) and traditional belief (their ancestors). This is because they can’t overlook the tradition passed from early generations.
After visitting Taman Renungan Bung Karno / Soekarno’s Reflection Park, we headed to Blue Stone Beach for lunch and had a long drive to Bajawa.
Ok guys, this is the end of our Flores overland trip – Day 1! I hope you enjoy exploring Ende with me, and thank you for reading. Stay tuned for the next blog post 😊🙏💖
CLARA15
Also read: “Chasing Hills, Savannas, and Sunsets in Sumba”
Also read: “Chasing Beaches and Waterfalls in Sumba, Indonesia”
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