Introduction.

Indonesia has a great many areas for nature tourism scattered throughout the thousands of islands in the Lesser Sundas Archipelago (known as Nusa Tenggara). Each area has its own characteristics and unique attraction for tourists.

The island of Flores, popularly known as the "The island of flowers" is one area which has many tourist attractions, and where the colourful culture and traditions of the local people vary widely from place to place. Natural highlights of the island include: Komodo National Park famous for its giant lizards or Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis); Kelimutu National Park famous for its coloured crater lakes; the Riung Seventeen Islands Nature Reserve and the Maumere Bay Marine Nature Recreation Park renowned for their beautiful coral reefs and tropical fish and finally Lamalera in Nagawutung District, on the small island of Lembata in East Flores, which is one of the last traditional whaling villages in Eastern Indonesia.

As befitting one of Flores' main natural tourist attractions, Kelimutu National Park is a unique area with stunning scenary. Apart from its cool climate and wonderful panoramas, Kelimutu's fame lies in its three differently coloured crater lakes, the colours of which are renowned for being in a constant state of flux. The lakes are known locally either as the Three Colour lakes or Kelimutu Lakes due to their position at the peak of Mount Kelimutu.