Luba Village (pop: 200 people) was small, quiet and had just a few villagers sitting around. Ricardos referred to them as “Ladanese” ethnicity but even by surfing, spelling “Ladanese” differently, I couldn’t come up with any information. Ngada villages are composed of wooden pile houses with shake roofs that surround a main square. Organization has a lot to [...]
“Travel Tips & Advice on Asia”
Luba, A Traditional Ngada Village
May 17th, 2012 
Sheila Simkin 
Posted in Featured, Flores 
Tags: adventure, Bena, clans, culture, destination, events, Flores, Indonesia, island, log, Luba, megalithic stones, megalithic villages, nature, Ngada, sightseeing, traditional, traditional villages, travel 
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Bajawa: Traditional Ngada Villages and Volcanos
May 16th, 2012 Sheila Simkin The best part of arranging an private trip, or traveling independently, is the ability to change your itinerary; exactly what we did. Guide Ricardos constantly offered to stop the car throughout Flores at different overlooks and viewpoints, repeating, “Tourists come to Flores for the mountain scenery.” Sorry, but how many mountain visuals can a person [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, Bena, clans, culture, destination, events, Flores, Indonesia, island, log, Luba, megalithic stones, megalithic villages, nature, Ngada, sightseeing, traditional, travel No Comments »
How to Make Arak (potent firewater) in Flores
May 15th, 2012 Sheila Simkin What is Arak? Arak is a highly alcoholic spirit and traditional home-brewed beverage in Indonesia. Think…stills, firewater, hootch, moonshine, red-eye, rotgut and you’ve got it. Imported alcohol can be taxed 400% in Indonesia so locals brew their own. Chances are you’ll be offered a drink of Arak somewhere in Indonesia. I strongly suggest you take a [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, Arak, Bajawa, culture, destination, distillery, events, Flores, how to make arak, Indonesia, island, log, nature, sightseeing, tourists, travel, westerners No Comments »
Easter Sunday in Flores
May 14th, 2012 Sheila Simkin It was a sunny Easter Sunday in predominately Catholic Flores. A big day for the locals that also meant nothing would be open in town. The breakfast room at Susteran Bunda Maria Hotel was “filled”; two Danes and an American from San Francisco were sitting there, traveling in the opposite direction towards Labuan Bajo, using public [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, culture, destination, events, island, log, nature, sightseeing, travel No Comments »
Where to stay and what to see in Ruteng, Flores
May 13th, 2012 Sheila Simkin It was now 2:30p, and we were starving. Ricardos took us to Agape Cafe in Ruteng (pronounced Rucheng). This restaurant is also recommended by Lonely Planet, and was the only place his agency considered suitable for western stomachs. Good lumpini (egg rolls), so-so bland noodles that tasted better when we added lots of chili sauce. Ruteng [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, culture, destination, events, Flores, Indonesia, island, Lesser Sundra Islands, Lodok Cara, log, nature, Ruteng, Ruteng market, sightseeing, spider web rice fields, Trans-Flores Highway, transportation, travel No Comments »
The Spider Web Rice Fields of Lodok Cara Village, Flores
May 12th, 2012 Sheila Simkin Each day held surprises since the itinerary was sketchy. Nikolas pulled off the road at a small house that said, Lodok Cara Village, and I asked Ricardos, “What are we doing here?” “Going to see a view of rice fields.” “Where?” He pointed uphill. Confused, we followed him into a dark house where he instructed [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, culture, destination, events, Flores, Indonesia, island, Lesser Sundra Islands, Lodok Cara, log, nature, Ruteng, Ruteng market, sightseeing, spider web rice fields, Trans-Flores Highway, transportation, travel No Comments »
On The Road to The Hill Town of Ruteng, Flores
May 11th, 2012 Sheila Simkin New guide Ricardos and driver Nikolas arrived at Golo Hilltop Hotel, promptly at 8:00a. Ricardos referred to us as Ibu Sheila and Pak Steve, a term of respect to elders. Into the car for the 140 kilometer/87 mile ride to Ruteng, the first large town near Labuan Bajo. The road will wind through the mountains of [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, culture, destination, events, Flores, Indonesia, island, Lesser Sundra Islands, log, nature, Ruteng, sightseeing, Trans-Flores Highway, transportation, travel No Comments »
Golo Hilltop Hotel, Labuan Bajo, Flores
May 10th, 2012 Sheila Simkin Another one-nighter at the Golo Hilltop Hotel in Labuan Bajo. A car from Golo Hilltop came to the harbor and transferred us up the mountain to the hotel. Much indecision since neither the hotel nor us knew anything about Flores plans going forward. Always carry the local telephone number of your tour operator for emergencies. Golo [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: adventure, culture, destination, events, Flores, Flores information, Golo Hilltop Hotel, Indonesia, island, Labuan Bajo, log, nature, reviews, sightseeing, travel No Comments »
Hot off the Press – A Bargain Trip to China
May 9th, 2012 Sheila Simkin I’m telling you, travel e-mails have got me so excited that I just have to pass them on to you and if I hadn’t already been there, done it, would consider jumping on this China tour myself! An e-mail today from Adventure Center (one of my favorite operators who represents Peregrine and Gecko among others) [...]
Posted in China, Featured Tags: accommodation, adventure, china, culture, destination, event, hotels, log, nature, sightseeing, tour operators, transportation, travel No Comments »
What to Know About Flores Island, Indonesia
May 9th, 2012 Sheila Simkin Flores is one of the Lesser Sundra Islands and the last island on this visit. A green, mountainous island with volcanic topography, a chain of volcanic cones stretches the length of the island. Because of its topography, there is basically one “good” road, the Trans-Flores highway that crosses the island. The road is in decent shape [...]
Posted in Featured, Flores Tags: "Sea Star" charter boat, adventure, culture, destination, events, Flores, Indonesia, island, Labuhan Bajo, log, Maumere, nature, sightseeing, touring information, travel No Comments »
