Top experiences in East Nusa Tenggara
From the pink-sand beaches and world-class diving of Komodo, to the animist traditions of the villages dispersed throughout West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara’s islands are as diverse as they are enchanting. In this relatively untouched part of Indonesia, it’s still possible to have a coastline all to yourself, eat with locals at night markets and buy some of the most beautiful ikat (dyed, patterned textiles) at weekly trade markets, direct from the women who made it.
For travellers yearning for an Indonesian holiday away from the crowds with a hefty dose of culture and genuine sense of adventure, this is your destination.
An aerial view of a pink sand beach with six covered structures; the sand is lined with bright turquoise water. East Nusa Tengarra, Indonesia. East Nusa Tenggara is a perfect Indonesian holiday destination away from the crowds © Afriandi / Getty Images Dive into technicolor reefs Whether you’re well acquainted with creatures of the deep or it’s your first time open water diving, it doesn’t get much better than East Nusa Tenggara’s vibrant underwater worlds. Labuan Bajo is the jumping off point for famed Komodo National Park, but there are plenty of opportunities to get up, close and personal with giant manta rays, turtles, sharks and thousands of species of tropical fish well before you get there.
Prices are competitive in Bajo centre, with three-dive day trips and three-day Open Water Diver certifications popular options. Liveaboards are the die-hard’s choice, especially when diving is at its best between April and September. The Alor Archipelago is a lesser-known dive destination unless you’re into the sport, in which case you already know that dive operators there visit more than 42 dive sites. Along with its white-sand beaches and volcanic terrain, Alor is celebrated for uncrowded crystal waters and unspoiled coral reefs. Shark and dolphin sightings are common, but visit in November to catch migrating sperm whales. Specific to the area, Komodo dragons grow up to 3m in length and weigh up to 150kg. Like any reptile, they’re more active at dawn and dusk – something worth taking into consideration when choosing a tour. There isn’t a widely accepted explanation as to why the dragons are only found in this tiny part of Indonesia, but their ancestors are thought to have come from Australia four million years ago. Estimates put current numbers at up to 5000 in the wild today, but the number of egg-laying females is supposedly only in the hundreds.In July 2019, local authorities briefly considered closing Komodo Island to tourists to help revive the dragon population, but they later reversed course, instead announcing an annual membership program. Premium membership will come with a hefty price tag of USD$1000 to support infrastructure improvements on the island, though non-premium members will still be able to visit other spots the Komodo dragons call home, like the island of Rinca (where Komodo dragon sightings are even reportedly better).
East Nusa Tenggara’s villages each have their own sets of customs, beliefs, traditions, adat (traditional law) and – in some cases – accepted constructs of time. In the village of Boti in West Timor, the charismatic kepala suku (chief) presides over a nine-day week. His people live off the land, refuse government assistance and have been operating the same way since Dutch colonists and headhunters failed to find them, keeping lives and traditions intact 21 generations later. Staying overnight in the modest accommodation and spending time with the 77 families who live here will be a highlight of your Indonesian travels.
Arrange your stay through a guide, who will be able to act as a translator and advise on what’s appropriate to bring as a gift alongside the nightly fee of 100,000Rp per person. Willy Kadati, based in West Timor, is a fantastic guide who has incredible cultural, botanic and ikat knowledge; he charges 600,000Rp per day for motorbike travel and from 1,500,000Rp for a car. Contact him through WhatsApp, 0812 5231 0678.
Source : Lonelyplanet.com
