About Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands)
Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands) Transportation
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Travel Tips for Transportation in Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands)
Denpasar, Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands), Indonesia
Carry your own bags to your awaiting transport yourself once through customs. It saves on porter money and tips and it saves you from any possible 'tampering' with your luggage, lost luggage, or mixups by others. Also, buy your bottled water upon entry as it's hot in Bali!
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Denpasar, Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands), Indonesia
The airport at Denpasar serves all of Bali for incoming international flights and if you arrive any time from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, be prepared to WAIT. The place is far too small for the number of passengers who can pour in from just a couple of packed flights. However, once you are done, you are in paradise. Bali is heaven, especially if you are headed inland for Ubud, away from the touristy beach areas.
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Denpasar, Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands), Indonesia
take the taxometer because in the end they never make the price cheaper thn with a taxometer.
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Ubud, Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands), Indonesia
Don't ever rent/drive a car there, there are so many scooters it's crazy! Take a taxi, it's way safer. But it's also really fun to rent a scooter for a day, just watch out, sometimes 4 people are on the same one!
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Larantuka, Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sundra Islands), Indonesia
Larantuka is a small and beautiful city in Easf Flores. It has beautiful beach very clear ocean. Even in it's harbour, I can see the creatures small fish in the bottom sand. Most the citizens are catholic. Almost each house, has their own chapel.
How to get there?
- by plane from Kupang (capital of Nusa Tenggara Timur province). Trigana operates a direct flight from Kupang to Larantuka.
- by plane from Kupang to Maumere, then take road trip to Larantuka. Can be reach in 6 hours. You won't even feel it. It was beautiful route. You'll see forest and mountain, traditional Flores villages, prairie, and blue ocean with small islands for pearl production. If you choose this way, make sure you already book rental car to make your trip more enjoyable, especially on Easter (public busses don't operate).
Best time to go?
On Easter!
Larantuka still held ancient Catholic tradition on Easter (Holy Friday) called Semana Sancta. It's a combination ritual of Catholic, Flores and Portuguese culture to recall the crucifixion death of Jesus Christ on Holy Friday. Start at Friday at 6 am, by picking up Jesus and Maria and bring them by boats. About 50 boats full of prayer participate on this ritual.
At the evening, after the mass, people pray, sing mourn for the celebration, walking along the Larantuka streets with candle on hands. During the ceremony, Larantuka is decorated by thousands candle along the prayer route (about 5 km).
The tradition has been known for ages, and thousands people from many places and countries outside Flores and Indonesia will come for this celebration. It is the only place that still have the tradition. The procession start on Friday at 6 a.m, end on Saturday at 2.a.m. Most of Larantuka citizen are involved in this tradition.
Other Atraction
Waiara Beach.
It is beautiful beach in Maumere, you can visit before or after your travel to Larantuka. You can just relax, enjoying sunset on the beach. Best way to spend your time. You can also join a diving trip. The water is very clear, white sandy beaches, remote small islands and beautiful underwater creatures. There are some resorts to stay along the beach.
Food
Flores coffee.
I can't event describe how great it is. Make sure you get an arabica home made one.
Money
Make sure you get the money you need before you reach Flores. Get it in Kupang or Bali. Money changer and ATM are hard to find in Flores, even more difficult in Larantuka.
What to bring?
- Sun block, sun glasses, summer hat, umbrella, it is very hot in Larantuka.
- Don't forget your camera. Larantuka and all the way down is too damn beautiful.
Hotels Accomodation
Don't expect 5 star hotels. There are only small motels and home stay. During Semana Sancta on Easter, Larantuka citizens open their house for visitor. It is cheap, but with limited service off course. On Easter, there are some travel agents in Jakarta arrange trip to Larantuka. It usually include hotels, transportation, food, etc. All you need to see Larantuka participate in Semana Sancta.
Nightlife
No nightlife
Only on Easter : it is praying, singing, mourning in Semana Sancta
Interacting with locals
They already familiar with visitors. They are friendly and helpfull. Be polite, they will help u if needed.
Danger annoyance
- dangerous roads in mountainous area to Larantuka from Maumere.
- if possible, don't do night drive. There are no street lights along the way from Maumere to Larantuka
- get a rental car or reach Larantuka before Eastern. Public busses don't operate during Easter.
How to get there?
- by plane from Kupang (capital of Nusa Tenggara Timur province). Trigana operates a direct flight from Kupang to Larantuka.
- by plane from Kupang to Maumere, then take road trip to Larantuka. Can be reach in 6 hours. You won't even feel it. It was beautiful route. You'll see forest and mountain, traditional Flores villages, prairie, and blue ocean with small islands for pearl production. If you choose this way, make sure you already book rental car to make your trip more enjoyable, especially on Easter (public busses don't operate).
Best time to go?
On Easter!
Larantuka still held ancient Catholic tradition on Easter (Holy Friday) called Semana Sancta. It's a combination ritual of Catholic, Flores and Portuguese culture to recall the crucifixion death of Jesus Christ on Holy Friday. Start at Friday at 6 am, by picking up Jesus and Maria and bring them by boats. About 50 boats full of prayer participate on this ritual.
At the evening, after the mass, people pray, sing mourn for the celebration, walking along the Larantuka streets with candle on hands. During the ceremony, Larantuka is decorated by thousands candle along the prayer route (about 5 km).
The tradition has been known for ages, and thousands people from many places and countries outside Flores and Indonesia will come for this celebration. It is the only place that still have the tradition. The procession start on Friday at 6 a.m, end on Saturday at 2.a.m. Most of Larantuka citizen are involved in this tradition.
Other Atraction
Waiara Beach.
It is beautiful beach in Maumere, you can visit before or after your travel to Larantuka. You can just relax, enjoying sunset on the beach. Best way to spend your time. You can also join a diving trip. The water is very clear, white sandy beaches, remote small islands and beautiful underwater creatures. There are some resorts to stay along the beach.
Food
Flores coffee.
I can't event describe how great it is. Make sure you get an arabica home made one.
Money
Make sure you get the money you need before you reach Flores. Get it in Kupang or Bali. Money changer and ATM are hard to find in Flores, even more difficult in Larantuka.
What to bring?
- Sun block, sun glasses, summer hat, umbrella, it is very hot in Larantuka.
- Don't forget your camera. Larantuka and all the way down is too damn beautiful.
Hotels Accomodation
Don't expect 5 star hotels. There are only small motels and home stay. During Semana Sancta on Easter, Larantuka citizens open their house for visitor. It is cheap, but with limited service off course. On Easter, there are some travel agents in Jakarta arrange trip to Larantuka. It usually include hotels, transportation, food, etc. All you need to see Larantuka participate in Semana Sancta.
Nightlife
No nightlife
Only on Easter : it is praying, singing, mourning in Semana Sancta
Interacting with locals
They already familiar with visitors. They are friendly and helpfull. Be polite, they will help u if needed.
Danger annoyance
- dangerous roads in mountainous area to Larantuka from Maumere.
- if possible, don't do night drive. There are no street lights along the way from Maumere to Larantuka
- get a rental car or reach Larantuka before Eastern. Public busses don't operate during Easter.
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