...........................	Flores                                                       ....................................................................................................................................... The largest island in the eastern Nusa Tenggara chain, Flores received its name in or around 1512 from passing Portuguese explorer who christened ist Cabo das Flores (Cape of Flowers). Before then it was known as Stone Island. Around it are fine reefs with fantastic diving and snokerlling opportunities. The culture and traditions of Flore’s five distinct tribal groups are as varied and interestings as the island itself. Keli Mutu, is the island's main tourist attraction are three adjacent multicolored volcanic crater lakes. The lakes are seperated only by low ridges, and curiously they are of different colors, blue-green and turquoise or dark burgundy or brown. But like chameleons, they appear to be changing all the time and postcard photos taken in different years shows the lakes in dramatically different colors. No scientific study on the lakes has been carried out, but one possible explanation is that the coloration results from dissolved minerals and that the water eats through different mineral layers at varying rates, perhaps also due to the changes in acidity. The local people believe that one red lake hold the souls of sorceres, the other souls of sinners and the third lake is said to hold the souls of infants and virgins. Maumere a small coastal town is fast establishing itself after experiencing an earthquake in 1992 which seriously damaged the coral reefs and generated a tsunami that destroyed several fishing villages. Ladalero, a catholic seminary high in the hills over Maumere has wonderful panoramic views of the bay beyond. Pulau Lembata, east of Flores is noted primarily for its primitive whaling industry. Shallow-draught, sail and oar-propelled wooden boats are used for whale hunting, When a whale is sighted, a harpooner balances precariously on a narrow plank extending from the bar of the boat and then jumps with his harpon, thrusting it accurately into the whale’s back.
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