Wonders of the World in East Nusa Tenggara

“I’m proud to live in Indonesia!”  Indonesia has some of the natural wonders that can not be found in other countries. Some of them actually belong to the wonders of the world. Well, this time I would like to invite you to look to the east of Indonesia, precisely to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Let's look at some of the wonders of the world in eastern Indonesia.

 1. Komodo Island

Komodo National Park is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. Established in 1980, initially the main purpose of the Park was to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. However, over the years, the goals for the Park have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. In 1986, the Park was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the Park's biological importance.

Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine and land) of 1817km (proposed extensions would bring the total surface area up to 2,321km²). 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.
 

 2. Pink Beach, Komodo Island, NTT

A clear blue sky above, with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily across. Rolling green hills, covered luxuriantly in thick vegetation, interspersed with high, rocky cliffs. Calm, clear waters, tinted by the colorful corals beneath its surface, and alive with the movement of a hundred species of marine life. Last, but not least: a stretch of soft sand, but not white, not black, but PINK!

Pink Beach, or Pantai Merah, as it is aptly named, is one of seven pink beaches on the planet, and is just one of the many amazing features of Komodo Island that make it truly a Natural Wonder of Nature. This exceptional beach gets its striking color from microscopic animals called Foraminifera, which produce a red pigment on the coral reefs.  For this reason, it is called Red Beach in the local tongue. When the tiny fragments of red coral combine with the white sands, this produces the soft pink color that is visible along the shoreline. Aside from Pink Beach itself, a few small segments along Komodo’s eastern bay also have a pinkish tint.

3. Kelimutu Lake

On the uniquely beautiful island of Flores is the Kelimutu National Park, where the famous Mount Kelimutu volcano resides with its striking tri-colored lakes resting in its caldera.
These stunning colored lakes are the most famous attraction in Flores and an absolute must visit. They are without a doubt one of the most amazing natural phenomenons in Flores, if not the world.Going from west to east, the first of these lakes is called Tiwu Ata Mbupu (Lake of the Ancestors’ Souls, Lake of Old People). This first and most westerly lake is located 1.5 km west of the other two lakes. The second lake is named Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young People’s Souls, Lake of Young Men and Maidens)and the third lake is called Tiwu Ata Polo (Lake of Evil Spirits, Bewitched or Enchanted Lake). The second and third lake are separated by a steep, narrow stone wall of crater measuring 50 to 150 meters. The three lakes vary in color from each other and each one changes colors irregularly, almost whimsically, lending the whole area a wonderfully surreal atmosphere that have led to many locals myths and speculations about the origin of Kelimutu.
 

4. Gua Batu Cermin, NTT

Batu Cermin, or Mirror Rock, is actually a tunnel or cave in a dark stone hills of Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara.  Sunshine comes in through a hole in the tunnel and then bounces on the stone walls that again reflect small lights to other areas inside the cave like a mirror. That’s why this site is called mirror rock.
 
The cave is located east of Labuan Bajo harbor some four kilometers from the town’s center.  The cave has forests surrounding it where you can find long-tailed monkeys and wild boar.  Travel agencies sell tour packages to Batu Cermin as part of a city tour program from Labuan Bajo.

 5. Nihiwatu Beach

 "This has been voted one of the best left-hand breaks on the planet. But watch out for the reef if you get dumped -- try and shallow fall."The couple camped on the beach, an idyllic 2.5-kilometer-long stretch of sand.The beach is still difficult to access for anyone other than local villagers, and thus serves as something of a private beach for guests.It's hard to imagine this same sand was the scene, barely six months before the Graves' arrival, of a massive battle between 2,000 local tribesmen.Indeed, Sumba could be easily labeled an island that time almost forgot.That clash was an illustration of the fiercely traditional, territorial and tribal nature of Sumbanese culture -- reinforced by the swords the village men strap to their sides to this day.It's also, by Western standards, incredibly poor with little to no utilities access and infrastructure for many, if not most, villages.This lack of standard resources posed a challenge for Graves and his plans.