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Lombok
Sometimes called the new Bali, Lombok is dominated by Mt
Rinjani, one of the tallest of Indonesia’s 400
volcanoes. Lombok has a climate of extremes,ranging from desert
and famine to lush tropical rainforests.Whereas Bali is predominately
Hindu, most of the people here are Moslem, but like
most of the eastern islands animist culture still survives
especially among the local Sasak tribe. Tourism is
developing fast, particularly on the west coast where 30 miles
of beachfront have been sealed off to make way for hotels.
Bajawa
Few travellers explore the mountain region of Bajawa where
animist traditions survive unchanged. It is surrounded
by volcanic hills, and the neighbouring villages and scenery
are great to explore. It is populated by the Ngada people,
who’s religion is a fusion of animism and Christianity.
Their traditional homes are Ngadhu, a thatched cone
shaped hut, and they represent the relationship with the people’s
spiritual ancestors in their creation, construction and arrangements.
Kelimutu Lakes
The Kelimutu lakes are, without doubt, Flores’ most dramatic
sights. Set in high altitude craters near the summit of the
Kelimutu volcano, the lakes have a chameleon-like property
and colour change from vivid turquoise, to olive green and
black, and they have been recorded as turning shades of red,
blue and chocolate brown. The reasons for the colour changes
remain unsolved, but it may be due to the minerals in each
lake. It's great to visit the lakes on sunny days, and also
turbulent stormy days to see their colours in full radiance,
but they are less spectacular in the rainy season. Locals
believe the souls of the dead go to the brilliantly coloured
sulphuric lakes, the young to the green, the old to the milky
blue lake and criminals and deviants to the black.
Ambon
Ambon is the capital of the Spice Islands and home to the
Bugis, once the seafaring pirates of Indonesia. It is also
the clove centre of the Spice Islands and the scent
of drying cloves fills the air. In sharp contrast to the tranquility
of the Bandas Islands, the island of Ambon is alive with bustle
and activity, and the town of Ambon overlooking Ambon
Bay is the provincial and cultural capital of Maluku.
On the beach, for a little alternative entertainment you can
see Ambon’s Hatemari conch shell orchestra. With
sixty conch players, each blowing a different note from their
shell, it'll either be sweet music to your shell-likes or
have you running to put your head under the sand.
The highlight of Ambon has got to be its the Pasar Lama
Fish Market where most of Banda’s catch ends up.
Fishy friends on store include the long-jawed mackerel (known
as a lema in Indonesia), an expensive fish related
to the tuna family as well as mackerel, tuna and numerous
multi-coloured species. Sadly there are less desirable offerings
are also available like two week baby turtles for the hotpot.
The main market was burned down during riots in 1999 and now
ad hoc smaller marketers are set up in the area, segregated
by religion. The markets are composed of many tiny shops selling
Indonesia fruits, vegetables and spices, nutmeg and cinnamon
straight off the tree. It’s an area of conflict so caution
is advised when travelling and check out the political climate
before setting sail for the island.
If you end up staying a while in Ambon, a visit to the World
War II Cemetery and its many wonderful beaches and coral
sea gardens is in order. For the sporty, there’s an opportunity
to sample several water sports like canoeing and water skiing,
or if you’re visiting in August check out the Darwin-Ambon
Yacht Race. There’s also ruin of old forts build
by the Dutch East Indies Company during the period
of spice trading.
Kupang
Kupang is the capital city of Eastern Indonesia, although
its still only a small city by Western standards. People in
Kupang are friendly towards travellers, probably because they
don't see too many,although it is a jumping off point to Australia,
and so you occasionally find other travellers here. It’s
also renowned for having the wildest bemos in all of Asia.
At the markets you can buy many embroidred textiles, created
with natural dyes and also handicrafts, hats, silver make
great souvenirs.
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