Flores Island (7): Sunsets

The sunsets as we sail among the Indonesian islands have been spectacular. I suppose it's all due to light scattering from water droplets in the air above the sea: blue light is scattered more strongly out of the line of sight, allowing red to dominate.  Then the silhouettes of clouds and islands add drama and variety.

Flores Island (6): Kampung Melo Portraits

Flores Island (5): Kampung Melo Battles and Dances

Stereotypes persist around the world. Men fight, and women play music and dance.

Flores Island (4): Kampung Melo Scenes

Leaving Labuan Bajo, we drove into the mountainous rural interior, to the small Manggaraian village of Kampung Melo. On the way up to meet the villagers, I took a couple of photos of the scenery, and of a small pineapple growing along the path.

Flores Island (3): Labuan Bajo Church

Most of Indonesia is heavily Moslem (except Bali), and seeing a big Christian church is unusual. Seeing one with this architecture and decor is even more unusual, though the building does seem suitable for a tropical island.

Flores Island (2): Labuan Bajo Market

The market is near the harbor, so we stopped there before commencing our major sightseeing.

Flores Island (1): Labuan Bajo Harbor

August 27: Another overnight sail brought us in the morning to Labuan Bajo, a fishing town on the western end of the island of Flores. I was struck by the old-fashioned design of many of the boats in the harbor, but it was pointed out that this appeals to tourists who take them for scenic rides in the harbor.

At the end of the day, as we returned from an inland trip to Kampung Melo (see later posts), we could see how busy the harbor actually is.