East Nusa Tenggara and Tons of Beauty Inside It
East Nusa Tenggara
East Nusa Tenggara or Nusa Tenggara Timur [NTT] is one of Indonesian Province which is consisting of some island, like: Flores, Sumba, Timor, Alor, Lembata, Rote, Sabu, Adonara, Solor, Komodo and Palue. The capital city is on Kupang in West Timor. The islands of east Nusa Tenggara have been shaped by the power and force of an enormous chain of volcanoes which begins in the north of Sumatra and stretches east across Java, the legendary known as 'Ring of Fire'.
There are 550 islands in this province, but the 3 major islands are Flores, sumba and West Timor.
- Flores is a Portuguese name which means "flower", and ideally describes the beauty to be found here. This long island between Sumbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and mountains, dividing it into several regions with distinct languages and traditions. Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portuguese, there are many examples of a strong European cultural heritage, like the Easter procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former king in Maumere.
- Formerly known as the Sandal wood Island, Sumba is now famous for its horses and a superb style of ikat cloth. Spirits, both ancestral and natural, are worshipped. West Sumba is famous for its enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. Incredible rituals are a way of life here, such as the "Pasola". Where hundreds of horsemen fling spears at each other in a annual traditional ceremonies, all paying homage to the spirit, take place from July to October, including the building of "adat" or traditional houses. Burial ceremonies require the sacrifice of hundreds of pigs, water buffaloes, horses, and dogs. Other ceremonies include "Pajura" or traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October and November, horse races and ritual dances.
- Timor is the largest island in the province in terms of population and it is here that the provincial capital of Kupang is located. Timor is rich in culture, beautiful scenery, and magnificent wildlife. The isolated communities have developed a variety of architectural styles. Unlike other parts of East Nusa Tenggara, the roads in Timor are generally good and public transportation is relatively well developed. Kupang is the gateway to Nusa Tenggara with regular, direct flights to and from Darwin in Australia as well as with the rest of the archipelago.
Occupying a unique position at the junction of Australian and Asian submarine ridges marked by the Wallace line, it is one of the most dynamic and exotic marine environments in the world. The arid landscape of eastern and southern Nusa Tenggara is the result of hot, dry winds blasting in from the Australian continent. In fact, in many coastal areas not a drop of rain falls during most of the year.
The local inhabitant is about Atoni, Dawan, Manggarai, Sumba and Tionghoa ethnic. Catholic is the most religion that being hold by the people.
The tourism object from this province is mostly coming from the islands itself. especially Flores, Sumba, West Timor and the famous of Komodo Island.
Komodo Island is located on the western tip on East Nusa Tenggara. There are over 2500 Komodo live in this Island and some in other island. Instead of Komodo, there are some exotic flora in this island, which rarely be found in other Island, like Sepang wood, which sometimes is being used for medication and garment coloring. Nitak wood or sterculia oblongata, is other plantation for medication. Some other tourists also coming for diving around the island, because it properly has the blue water to dive in.
