Domestic and foreign tourists are seen at Pink Beach in Komodo National Park in West Manggarai

Tips for a beginner’s solo trip to Flores

Traveling solo to an unknown destination might sound like a terrifying idea. But there are advantages to taking a trip on your own.

First of all, as pointed out by lifehack.org, it is a great way to discover your true self, as being alone out there on the road will require you to make decisions, overcome fears and rely on yourself. There will be experiences that test your ability to overcome obstacles, challenge you and help you grow as an individual. Don’t forget, all these challenges and chances to grow come with the beauty of a new place you have never been to. Feel like packing your bag now?

Choosing a destination for your solo adventure is at once exciting and thrilling. Especially if it’s a place you’ve never been to. And if you’re looking for a beautiful destination with a healthy dose of challenge in one place, Flores is the answer. You will meet the natives with their distinctive culture, and some of them will probably offer to take you to the hidden gems in the area. Not to mention you will also meet fellow travelers who may end up becoming your new friends.

Here are a few tips to get you ready for the adventure as compiled by tempo.co:

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Take a flight to Ende from Denpasar if you are planning an overland journey. Bear in mind that upon landing, the locals will be rather pushy about offering their transportation services .

Typically, the next destination after Ende airport is Moni village, from where you can depart to the iconic Kelimutu lake for a spectacular sunrise. Another must-visit area is the town of Bajawa, famous for its cultural festivals, picturesque nature and natural hot springs. Consider also visiting Bena traditional village, spiderweb rice field, and trekking to Wae Rebo to see the authentic traditional houses where you can spend a night or two.

Meanwhile, if you are into island hopping around Komodo, choose a flight to Labuan Bajo from Denpasar. Living on board is a great option that will enable you to hop on and hop off the islands and beaches. Komodo Island, Pink Beach, Manta Point, Gili Laba, Kanawa Island and Padar Island make excellent places to include in your itinerary.

Source - TheJakartaPost 

Yogyakarta sets cap on number of tourists allowed in Pindul Cave

The Gunungkidul Tourism Agency has set a limit to the number of daily visitors allowed in Goa Pindul (Pindul Cave), a natural cave and tourist attraction located in Gunungkidul regency, Yogyakarta, as the government aims to preserve the site's ecosystem. 

"The maximum number of visitors to Pindul Cave is limited to 2,600 people per day," Hary Sukmono, the agency's secretary, said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.

The limit was set based on Environmental Management Efforts and Environmental Monitoring Efforts (UKL-UPL), a guidance document that also includes information on village-owned enterprises, such as tour operators.

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Hary urged tour operators to refer to the document, adding that he hoped the new system would help to preserve Pindul Cave's ecosystem. 

"The limitation of visitors is an effort to preserve the environment of Pindul Cave," Hary said. 

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Separately, Saryanto, the director of the Bejiharjo village-owned enterprise, which oversees the cave region, said the organization would obey the rules. He further said that, in any case, the number of visitors to Pindul Cave was far below the limit. 

According to data obtained by the agency, 145,081 people visited the cave in 2017.

Saryanto said village-owned enterprises would continue to coordinate with tour operators, adding that should the number of visitors exceed the cap limit, the visitors would be directed to other attractions. 

"We will accommodate everyone for the good of all," he said.

Source - TheJakartaPost