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Eastern Flores Indonesia:
Maumere to Alor
*as prepared by Silolona Sojourns
Setting sail on charter yacht Silolona
Day 1: Fly from Bali to Maumere - From Bali, it is only a short flight to Maumere where you will be met by the Silolona crew and be whisked by car to the MSV Silolona anchored nearby in the scenic bay of Maumere. Maumere's traditional markets are a feast for the eye and brimming with traditional textiles of the surrounding villages, each with their own motifs and colors.
Day 2: Watublapi - Off the Eastern tip of Flores Island lays the islands of Solor, Adonara, Pantar, and Lembata. The Region is aptly named as it means "fire mountain" as volcanoes rise from the shore to dominate the landscape and line the straits between the islands. Excellent fishing, great kayaking, and mountain hiking in spectacular scenery. This morning we will visit the market and Watublapi village, for Ikat weaving demonstration and lunch.
Day 3: Scenic Straits Cruise & Larantuka - Navigation in the spectacular Flores Straits. and visit Larantuka, a small scenic town and the capital of East Flores which sits at the bottom of the volcano known as Ile Mandiri. This is where the Portuguese first settled in the 1500's and where ancient rites of Holy Week are still practiced as they were in the 16th century in Europe.
Day 4: Adonara- The narrow straits between the islands of Solor, and Adonara are spectacularly beautiful as volcanic peaks march along the shoreline within sight of one another as you pass through the straits of Lamalkera & the Straits of Solor, overlooked by the ruins of an old Dutch fort of Adonara.
Silolona in Eastern Flores Archipelago, Indonesia
Day 5: Lembata Island - Lamalera. (Weather permitting!)- On the nearly inaccessible south coast, is a small village where men still hunt sperm whales using the simplest of technologies and boats with woven palm leaf sails. Whales are hunted in clan groupings by leaping from the boat onto backs of the whales with a hand made harpoon in hand. Although whaling is banned in many other areas, it is sanctioned here as it provides the major protein and trade item for the villagers. Meanwhile, the women of the Lamalera village collect cotton from their dry rugged landscape to spin it into stunning bride cloths made with natural dyes, subtle coloring and geometric patterns. These bride cloths are collectors items and amongst the most beautiful cloths in all of Indonesia.
Day 6: Ile Ape Volcano and Bay - Ile Ape is one of the most spectacular bays in Indonesia and villages line the thin line around the base of the perfectly cone shaped volcano. Excellent fishing and opportunities to hike in the area. This area is also well known for textiles and an impromptu visit to any small village will produce an amazing display of hand woven textiles.
Day 7: Palau Komba. - A perfect place for spectacular diving and also water sports and water skiing in the calm waters of the bay.
Day 8: Pantar Islands- Exploration of the remote islands east of Pantar excellent for hiking, fishing and kayaking. Adat ritual.
Takpala Village Elder
Day 9: Pura island - Our base for diving, exploring villages, and great snorkeling,. Many of the villagers in this area are weavers and women may approach you in dug out canoes to sell their hand woven textiles with lovely fish and turtle motifs. Children in their own smaller dugouts will paddle by with hand carved wooden goggles fitted with bits of broken glass. Fishing and hiking are excellent in this area.
Day 10: Alor- Alor is well known for the quality of it diving, with spectacular walls, varied coral and abundant fish life. Choose based on the tides, currents, and dive experience amongst some of Alor's most famous sites including Mike's Delight, Coconut Grove, Mirror Image, the Back Yard, or Manta Point.
Visit the hill top village of Takpala, home of the Abui tribe for a specially arranged dance performance around their ancestral ceremonial dance place against a backdrop of their peaked traditional homes. Here you will see ancient bronze drums that are still an integral part of marriage negotiations as well as villagers clad in beautifully hand woven sarongs and brandishing bow and arrows still used in ritual and for hunting.
Day 11: Kalabahi, Alor - Bali- Here you will bid farewell to the crew and with a short drive to the airport for the flight to Bali.
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