Kelimutu

This one turned out a bit longer than intended, sorry for that.

So there we were, standing in the rain in the harbour of a small village. With some asking around we managed to get directions to our guesthouse. Soaking wet we arrived at Cornelis' house where he rented out a few rooms. He used to be a tourist guide so he helped us plan what we were going to do on Flores. Our plan was to see the sunrise from the top of Kelimutu. But first we decided to relax in Labuan-Bajo. That night we went to Paradise bar with everyone from the boat trip. 

The Next few days were spent doing basically nothing and one day we went to a five-star hotel where we played three fifty to spend the whole day at their pool and private beach. Slowly everyone decided to go their own ways and so did we got a good deal for two scooters and prepared to drive some long distances. 

We left early one morning and just started driving, the most beautiful scenery in indonesia. Up and down hills and mountains. We were just going to see how far we could drive before we found a hostel. Driving a scooter over narrow mountain roads is amazing. Never a long straight strech and tight corner after tight corner both up and down.

After about 220km it was already 6pm and we were nearly in Bajawa, here we decided to find somewhere to sleep before heading out again the next morning for another 250km. Not long after we left we passed a volcano that was still active. Not very spectacular but there was smoke coming out of it. Interesting was how all the villages at the coast were predominantly muslim and in the mountains it was mostly christian. We had lunch in Ende and was just more than an hour left to the village at the foot of Kelimutu. 

Alas, that's not the way it works in Indonesia. Shortly after we entered the stunning mountains outside of ende we were met by a traffic jam. As we were on scooters we assumed this wouldn't affect us in the slightest. Two corners later we are met with a roadblock. Someone who spoke well enough english was able to tell us the road was closed for maintenance until six 'o clock. We decide to head back to ende and try to repair the wheel cover of the other scooter. After several hours asking at every scooter shop and repair for a replacement without luck we decide to try and fix it ourself. During our search I witnessed a horrific traffic accident. without getting into too much detail, I will say there were parts, helmets and people flying around. 

In the end we managed to find some CA glue and stopped at an abandoned gas station next to a lone cow, a surreal sight indeed. Apparently the glue wouldn't adhere to this particular type of plastic and I ended up spilling it over a large part of my hand. Not one of my greatest moments. As the road opened soon we gave up on the repair job for today and dove back to the roadblock. A cup of popmie later and people started getting ready to get going. 

Once the road opened it was like the start of a dirt bike race, but with scooters. More than a hundred scooters on a dirt road all trying to get ahead and not hit any of the excavators or trucks placed wherever the crew left them. Over the last hour and a half of our journey everyone found their own speed as the sun was setting. After sunset, on a scooter through the mountains I was glad to have a jacked with me. 

Having found a guesthouse at the foot of the Kelimutu we were almost ecstatic to to find out we even had warm water, a luxury we hadn't had since Kuta almost two weeks ago. Went to bed early as we wanted to be at the top before sunrise. 

Alarms set for 3:30 we got dressed and hopped on our scooters in total darkness. Half an hour later we were at the top, in the meantime the first signs of dawn were visible and after hiking the last part to the very top we arrived just as the sun had risen. Without a doubt the most beautiful sunrise so far. The three lakes, one milky blue, one darkblue and one purple so dark it almost seemed black. As a picture speaks a thousand words I will let the pictures describe this morning. This sight was what we had driven almost 500 km for in two days. It was definitely worth it, without a doubt. Back down at the foot of the volcano at our guesthouse we got our banana pancake breakfast one last warm shower and started packing again. 

The way back was almost identical, only difference is that we drove a bit past Bajawa to Borong—a village along the coast— as we were still up to riding a while longer and this only meant we didn't have to drive as far the day after. The next day we stopped in Ruteng, which is about halfway to Labuan Bajo in the search for a new wheel cover. After less than half an hour we found something. might not have  been the right part, or even the right colour, but if fit so we were happy. The last few hours went faster that expected and before I knew it we were back at our Guesthouse in Labuan Bajo. 

On the next day we made our way back to Mataram, 24 hours by boat, bus, minivan and taxi. My Indonesia adventure was coming to a close now as I had a flight to Singapore the next day. Said goodbye to my friend and travel companion of a month and I was of to the airport.