Komodo Island (area 390 km²) is the National Park was to conserve the unique species Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. Komodos, the real life dragons, are a sight indeed. Gigantic, the lizard-like creatures are about two or three meters in length. They can easily weigh about 165 kilograms. Despite of their sheer size and appearance, they are not active hunters. What makes them intimidating is the fact that they are a patient predator. In the wild, they stalk a victim, usually a weak or injured one. One bite and that’s what it usually takes. After following the victim for a while, sometimes up to several days’ time, the komodos will devour the dying prey. This island is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. Komodo Island is located at coordinates 8°33′S 119°27′E / 8.55°S 119.45°E in Lesser Sunda Islands, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

The National Park is includes three major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of land. The total size of Komodo National Park is presently 1,817 km². Proposed extensions of 25 km² of land (Banta Island) and 479 km² of marine waters would bring the total surface area up to 2,321 km².
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo Dragon, first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn van Hensbroek. Nowaday, Komodo National Park is promoted to the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

As well as being home to the Komodo dragon, the Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, some 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugong, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, dolphins, and sea turtles also make Komodo National Park their home.

Transportation and Accomodation

Ranger's Houses - Komodo Island

The new renovated ranger's houses in eco style accommodation, with modern facilities featuring with private bathroom, limited electric power supply, dining. Only few step to the beach of Lohliang. Ranger's houses becomes an alternative accommodation offer to visitors whom for some reasons are not able to sleep on boat.

Puri Komodo Resort - Batu Gosok
Sets on the northwest tip of Flores island of Indonesia, this location well known with Batu Gosok, secluded peninsula. 250.000 square meters of land hideaway guaranteed to thrill snorkelers, divers and adventurers. A magnificent secluded cove with over 1.000 meters of white sandy beach and a wooden jetty protruding 450 meters into the coral rich turquoise waters. Opulent sea gardens in colors of purple, yellow, blue and fuchsia blend with brightly colored tropical fish drifting aimlessly amongst the coral.

Bajo Komodo Eco Lodge
Has developed environmentally friendly buildings with the use of solar power for hot water, an extensive rain water storage system, and the use of a biological sewage treatment plant where all waste water is returned to the gardens through irrigation. The Bajo Eco Lodge is under control of Iniradef non profit organization where to participate in developing the human resources on the area and also building the natural environment conservation. This program have fully accepted by locals.

Boat Accommodation from Labuan Bajo
Simple boat sleep on the deck with set mattresses, fit for a small group up to 4 peoples only, meals freshly cooked on board, mineral bottled water supplied, simple toilet.

Boat Accommodation depart from Bima
Larger boat with cabin, dining facilities and standard safety equipment available for those who are travel to Komodo via Bima. Although it takes you over 7 hours on water - the facilities promises on the boat better enough compare to those who are start from from Labuan Bajo.

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VOTE NOW: KOMODO AS A NEW 7 WONDERS UNTIL 11-11-2011

JOURNEY to the island of Flores, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), especially to Ende will not complete if you have not visited Kelimutu Lake or Three Colors Lake. Kelimutu Lake is a lake that holds many stories and mysteries.

The lake is known for its three colors, namely red, blue and white. Even so, the colors are always changing with the passage of time. Now alone, two colors of the three lakes that are brown, while the other is green.

Kelimutu is a combination word of "Keli" meaning mountain and the word "Mutu" which means to boil. According to local belief, the colors on the Lake Kelimutu has the meaning of each and have a very powerful force of nature.

Lake or Tiwu Kelimutu in the top three sections in accordance with the existing colors in the lake. Blue lake or Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai is a gathering place the souls of young people who have died.

Red lake or Tiwu Ata Polo is a gathering place the souls of the dead and as long as he lives is always a crime / magic. While the lake is white or Tiwu Ata tourists are gathering where the souls of parents who have died.

Morning is the best time to witness the beauty of the lake Kelimutu. Whereas before noon, let alone in the afternoon, usually offering lake Kelimutu be hindered by thick fog.

In addition Kelimutu lake scenery, natural beauty can also be witnessed by others in the National Park Kelimutu like a lot of protected forests of pine and fir trees and chirping birds that inhabit the National Park area Kelimutu.

Location

Kelimutu lake in the village of Moni, Ende, East Nusa Tenggara Province. From the Capital District, Ende, to get there, reached by traveling about two hours using a vehicle. From Moni into a tourist attraction was still being pursued again about 20 minutes drive.

Do not worry about accommodation once there. Because in Moni, there are a number of places of accommodation at affordable prices starting from Rp 150,000 to Rp 350,000 per day.

And are strongly advised to stay in Moni. Why? Because the beauty of the lake's three-color scenery and a new tourist attraction that can look beautiful when the morning at around 06:00 until 11:00.

Meanwhile, after 11:00 o'clock upwards, at the location of a tourist attraction that will be foggy so we could not enjoy the beauty of Lake Kelimutu. Because of these conditions then you are advised to stay at Moni so in the morning, we have been able to it as a tourist attraction.

The natural resources of Lake Kelimutu supported also by the cultural richness of traditional houses, traditional dances and weaving crafts that are characteristic of local residents.

Beside that, there are hot springs, waterfalls, and indigenous settlements that must be visited. If you want to visit the Lake Kelimutu, the best time is between July and September.









The Amazing of Kelimutu Lake

After eruption in 1886 the mount remained three crater lakes with formerly distinct colors: red, blue, and white. The colors, however, have changed continually since the eruption of Mount Iya in Ende in 1969. The changes of its colors make Kelimutu different from others and become one of the attractive places to be seen.

This is the uniqueness of Lake Kelimutu: three crater lakes on top of Mount Kelimutu, and their color changes. However, rare events have occurred, since the end of 2008, Lake Kelimutu started changing and now it becomes a lake trichromatic color, the trio became light green. Change one color to the crater lake situated on the island of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), was initiated in December 2008. Ata Polo Lake Tiwu when it changes color from blackish brown to dark green. And than Lake Tiwu Ata changes the color from blackish green moss to green young.