Indonesia | Apr 30 - May 1 2023 |
This section of the Trans-Flores Highway is downright epic, one of the world's great rides (IMHO). From Borong, it is about one hour to Aemere, where you ride back onto the coast and a stunning view of a perfect volcano - breathtaking. From the coast you then start a long and extremely twisty ascending ride parallel to the volcano for the next hour or so. The range of vegitation and changes that occur as you reach a higher altitude are amazing - like a real version of Singapore's Gardens by the Bay ginat greenhouses. The next town is Bajawa, which I had no plan to stop at in this direction (did later), aiming to get to Ende the same day. The next major sight was the Blue Stone beach, famous for its, wait for it, blue stones. Apparently these are increasing in short supply as they are pillage for sale, and the roads all over Flores seem to be paved with ashphalt mixed with them. I made it to Ende later in the day, Flores second largezst city. Toured around a bit. One famous point of interest being the Sukarno house, where he was exiled by the Dutch in the 1930's for seperatist activities. And Ende also has a interesting old port section of town.
Ride: 200km / 6 hrs
Stay: Dasi Guesthouse $18 / 4/5
