My Holiday

August 2009 was the time to leave for the island of Flores in Indonesia. Staying at a small Boutique Style hotel run by two Dutch women and presents a pleasant family atmosphere. The dives were made from the city Labujan Bajo which lies a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Unfortunately the hotel was situated on top of a hill so the walk back was sometimes a bit tough due to the high humidty. Daily dives at the Komodo National Park.

Location

Flores is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, an island arc with an estimated area of 14,300 km² extending east from the Java island of Indonesia. Flores is Portuguese for "flowers". Flores is located east of Sumbawa and Komodo and west of Lembata and the Alor Archipelago. To the southeast is Timor. To the south, across the Sumba strait, is Sumba and to the north, beyond the Flores Sea, is Sulawesi. The Flores sea is part of the Pacific ocean.

Geography

West Flores' natural environment is highly varied and boasts to a wide range of landscapes. West Flores is home to savannas: plain woodlands; mountainous tropical rain forests; costal forests; mangrove zones; marine environments; and a range of mountain, hills and ravines. Indonesia lies in the "Ring of Fire" so of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

Language

There are many languages spoken on the island of Flores, all of them belonging to the Austronesian family. At least six separate languages are identifiable.

Climate

The general climate is dry with monsoonal wind influences. At the higher elevations in mountain areas the climate is more humid.

Diving conditions

The best conditions for diving Flores are from April to December as this usually forms the majority of the dry season. Avarage water temperature 29° - 30° Centigrade. Komodo is an exiting and sometimes very challenging place to dive. The waters can prove dangerous due to the very strong currents found throughout this area. It is very important that you use a reputable dive operator and ensure that the dive sites visited are appropriate to your level of experience. Average water temperature: 27° - 28° Centigrade (Divers are recommended to use a minimum 3 mm Short Suit.) Average Visibility: +25-35 meters.

Time difference

+8 hrs GMT