East Nusa Tenggara has virgin habitats, untouched and unpolluted by commercialization. (Burufly Photo).
Sandalwood and Komodo dragons might be two things that instantaneously come to mind when you think about this province. But East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), once occupied by the Portuguese for more than 200 years, has so many hidden treasures.
Embarking on a full-blown adventure here is the quintessential explorers’ dream, as this place has virgin habitats, untouched and unpolluted by commercialization. This is one of the many provinces that ensured Indonesia firmly on the map of world tourism.
The combination of cultural wonders, the locals’ sincere friendliness and the bounty of sea biota surrounding the islands makes this a jaw dropping, must-visit location.
“Getting here [to NTT] is an adventure in itself,” said Chris Burch, founder of fashion label Tory Burch, as quoted in Vanity Fair.
The province itself consists of a staggering 550 islands – with the main islands are Flores, Sumba and Timor. Unlike the neighboring West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), here the natives are predominantly Catholic, as the lands were heavily influenced by the Portuguese.
You will understandably see examples of a strong European cultural heritage. Although only part of Timor island belongs to Indonesia, it is still considered the biggest and most populated island among the rest — hence this is where East Nusa Tenggara’s capital city of Kupang is located.
Flores, which means ‘flower’ in Portuguese, is a long island crowded with volcanoes, creating a remarkable landscape of ridges and terrains that in effect has divided this island into several distinct regions with their own unique languages and traditions.
Sumba, called Sandalwood island in the past, is now famous for the locally-bred pony horses as well as its precious woven Ikat cloth. The island with the same size as the Massachusetts is also famous for Nihiwatu, one of the best resorts in the archipelago.
Despite the strong presence of Christianity, the local tribesmen still worship spirits both ancestral and natural. Find some enormous megalithic tombs in West Sumba, or stand in awe before the traditional thatched and peaked huts of Wae Rebo Village in Flores, with its main house the Mbaru Niang as the recipient of Unesco’s Award of Excellence for Asia Pacific Heritage Awards in 2012.
Visiting this province makes you feel as if you’re in another world as the things it offers are truly extraordinary and mind-boggling: From the enchanting beaches to the daunting topography, the diverse culture, to the rare and prehistoric-looking Komodo dragons.
The untouched natural beauty of the island really makes this place truly one in a million and a must visit for all true travelers.
No comments:
Post a Comment