Cunca Rami waterfall - West Flores - Indonesia

The impressive Cunca Rami waterfall, with its many pretty pools that offer a refreshing, natural swimming experience, makes a fantastic day trip from Labuan Bajo. Starting from Werang, which is located 35km southeast of Labuan Bajo, it takes you about a 1½  hour scenic walk through an area which seems to be relatively untouched by modern civilization. Hiking through small villages and agricultural land, this walk is also a lesson in culture and agriculture. If you are with a local guide, it will be easy for you to get involved in conversations with villagers and farmers along the way. The trail leads you across various villages before it stretches out into open farmlands with water buffaloes, pigs, and goats grazing freely in the fields.
You can observe the various stages of rice cultivation and the traditional drying methods throughout the trail. Keep an eye out for banana, cacao, vanilla, and avocado plantations – it is amazing how everything grows and prospers seemingly effortless in this fertile area. A local guide will help you to identify the different plants that line the walk through this Eden-like setting. In line with tradition, the farming huts and village houses are made out of bamboo: a very durable and renewable material that is also used in many other Southeast Asian communities.

Facilities
Because of the poor condition of the roads that lead to these sites, the tour is rarely offered to tourists. Correspondingly, the tourist facilities are still very basic. There are no restaurants; so be certain to bring your own water and food supplies. However basic the circumstances, the stunning natural environment is well worth the bumping trip. The local guides in Labuan Bajo are familiar with the area around the waterfall, and gladly organize your trip according to your needs.

How to go there
Follow the main road from Labuan Bajo to Ruteng. At approximately 35km, you will reach a crossroad where you must turn right in the direction of Werang. The distance from the crossing to Werang is 10.5km. This road is in poor condition and difficult to pass in the rainy season. From Werang, it will take you a 45-minute walk to the waterfall.
Text by: www.florestourism.com
Photo by : Leonardus Nyoman
Tour available to this place: Flores Exotic Tours - www.floresexotictours.com

Weaving Ikat Sumba Island East Nusa tenggara

The ikat patterns are geometric or human and animal figures. East Sumba ikat cloths are characterized by striking figures of horses, deer, lions, birds, fish, skull trees, stars and other motifs. Stars, symbolizing descent from a celestial deity. Sea animals, shrimps, lobsters, represent the local coastal environment. Typical for East Sumba weaving is the skull tree motif.
Horses are a great feature in Sumba, symbol of heroism, being of economic and ritual value. Certain designs were restricted to aristocracy particularly the patola raty pattern, taken from Indian patola trading cloths.

The ikat textiles in East Sumba are important in life-cycle rites when they were exchanged between families and groups in the community. In marriage exchange of goods, the woman lineage counter the gifts of the man´s lineage with, among others, woven cloths.
text by: http://www.ikatland.com/category/15-east-sumba.aspx
Photo by: Leonardus Nyoman

Flores Exotic Tours will be at ITB in Berlin 6-10 March 2013

Flores Exotic Tours was established by a group of eight young Florinese in Ruteng and has gained years of experience in managing holidays in Flores and Bali since then.
Combined with active participation in local and international tourism training, this experience has brought Flores Exotic Tours to where it is now.

Flores Exotic Tours focuses on sharing valuable experiences with travellers wishing to know more about Flores and its magnificent Komodo dragon and other island in the East Nusa Tenggara Province ie; Sumba, Timor, Alor and Rote island.
These experiences include opportunities to enjoy Flores’ pure nature, its stunning beauty, as well as have a close encounter with the friendliness of the local community.

While enjoying the discovery of the world’s most diverse and exotic wildlife, Flores Exotic Tours also offers trips for travellers with special interests including ecotourism, community based ecotourism, trekking, and bird watching – such as those offered in Tado, Werang, Mbeliling, and, Wae Rebo villages, in West Flores. While appreciating the wonderful arts and culture of Flores, travellers also have a chance to support the sustainability of local tourism development, economy, and human resources that in turn shall contribute to the area’s improved standard of living.