SELAMAT DATANG DI
FLORES - INDONESIA!
Corona Virus (COVID-19) and Flores
update 27
March
At the moment I am in Labuan Bajo on Flores and will try to give you an idea of the situation here.
First of all: at the moment a few hundreds of people are tested but untill now there are no positiv tested persons on Flores. That's the good news.
Facilities on Flores are very limited which is a serious concern. However like anywhere else in the world people are asked to pay attention on things like washing hands, keep distance etc. Schools have closed for the next few weeks. Events are forbidden.
TOURIST OBJECTS CLOSED
Like in other parts of Indonesia all national parks are closed so is Komodo National park, Kelimutu National Park and Riung Marine Park 17 islands. Besides that also traditional villages, waterfalls etc. can’t be visited. For how long is not clear as this varies from a couple of weeks up and untill the end of May.
FERRY ASDP LABUAN BAJO TO SAPE (SUMBAWA)
The route has stopped since yesterday 26th March untill 3rd April
RESTRICTIONS
Many kabupaten (districts, on Flores there are 8) have their own restrictions which vary from closing hotels and guesthouses, obliged check in the hospital or quarantine. At the moment you cannot sleep in/near Bajawa, Riung, Mbay and Larantuka. When you want to overnight in Ende, Moni or Maumere an obliged test at the hospital or a health centre is obliged.
THE RESULT
Another thing is that some local people are very suspicious about foreigners, everyone who is not a part of their own community. This can lead to uncomfortable situations.
At the moment I am in Labuan Bajo (mainly to avoid undesired situations elsewhere on the island) and there are very very few tourists. There is low activity, Jalan Soekarno Hatta was empty last night around 8 pm and I did not see a single tourist at all.
Information is difficult to find. I am in contact with local people, also who are working in the tourism industry. Most of the information I hear from them (together with official announcements) and/or local online newspapers.
I will try to update as much as possible.
Be safe everyone!
21th March
The situation with the Corona virus has disrupted daily life as also the travel world.
Since Friday 20th March it will be almost impossible for foreign travelers to travel to Indonesia as free stamps and VOA are not available anymore at the airport for a period of 30 days (which can be extended). Foreign travelers only can travel with a visa which has to be applied via the embassy with a clear purpose of your journey and together with a health declaration from the authorities in your country.
I don’t need to explain this is a disaster for the tourism worlwide including Indonesia and in particulair Flores as this is one of the poorest islands of the country.
I still hope you will visit Flores in better times, maybe within the near future or later this year.
Here below a few collected links with usefull information.
The link below is from the Indonesian Government of Health
Ministry of Health Republic of Indonesia
and another one below is from Bali.com which seems reliable to me
plus
IATA travel restrictions by country including Indonesia
Information via telephonecalls: The COVID-19 hotline
Tel +62215210411 (landline) +6281212123119 (mobile, WhatsApp)
PLEASE STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY
regards Anne
quick to
Selamat datang di surga kita
lontar palmtree, the source of moke
WELCOME TO
FLORES - INDONESIA!
Welcome to our paradise
FLORES is an island in the tropics south of the equator, belonging to the lesser Sunda Islands (Nusa Tenggara Timur) of Indonesia. The original name of Flores is Tandjoeng Bunga, Malay for flowercape. When the Portuguese came to the island they renamed it into Cabo de Flores and the Dutch shortened it into Flores which means flowers.
FLORES is mostly green, partly dry, mountainous and heavenly beautiful. Flores has everything when dreaming of a tropical island.
FLORES has some gorgeous touristic attractions like the prehistorically komodo dragons, the “Spielberg like” Kelimutu lakes, majestic volcanos like Inerie and Ebulobo and traditions we have almost forgotten in this hasty world. And much more.
Come and see the empty beaches, enjoy wonderful diving, adventurous trekkings, deserted islands, pristine forests, all colour lakes, hidden waterfalls, impressive ceremonies, traditional villages, awesome music, interesting ikat (woven cloth) and above all the welcoming people of Flores. Superb is the only word which fits them all.
You will be surprised by this warm and cool island.
EXTRA
INFO
This website is for information and anything you need for your holiday on Flores.
As I am not an agent I do not sell packages.
However, I will be happy to help you to compose a trip on Flores which suits you and I can find you a car with driver for a fair price. I am "working" together with drivers and guides who I know personally. No fee, no commission, everything without any profit. My mission is to help travelers and get the tourism on Flores on a higher level. Tourists happy with fair prices and good information, locals happy to get an income from tourism which is badly needed as Flores is one of the poorest islands of Indonesia.
If you are satisfied with the information and/or the result please tell me, preferably via the comment page. If you are not, please let me know as well.
People of Flores are awaiting you and will be proud to show you their island.
floressurgakita@gmail.com (your mail wil be answered within 24
hours)
My website is as complete and updated as possible including all place of interest, practical information and everything you need for your holiday on Flores. All people are different and to give good information and advice please be as specific as possible with your questions and give me your relevant information as much as possible. Such as:
- With how many people you are traveling, adults/children (in case you need a car so I can find the right one)
- Dates of travel (if already known)
- How much time you can/want to spend on Flores or maybe some other islands
- Your interests
- Your demands
- Your limitations
tel +62 81284773377 (Indonesian
number) for short WhatsApp messages or calls via WhatsApp for questions within short time.
Please take notion of difference in time with your country as I am most of the time in the Netherlands.
A WELL MEANT ADVISE
Please pay attention to the sections about renting a boat/book for a seat-in tour, especially for Komodo NP and hiring a car with driver.
bienvenue à Flores
bem vindo a Flores
Wilkommen auf Flores
Sveiki atvykę į Floresą
bun venit la Flores
добро пожаловать в Флорес
Vítejte na Floresu
플로레스에 오신 것을 환영합니다
välkommen till Flores
benvenuto a Flores
フローレスへようこそ
wëllkomm zu Flores
welkom op Flores
Tere tulemast Floresesse
ברוכים הבאים לפלורס
Velkommen til Flores
tervetuloa Floresiin
欢迎来到弗洛雷斯
bienvenido a Flores
witamy w Flores
مرحبا بك في فلوريس
ласкаво просимо в Флорес
This growing website is made with love and passion.
Colours are well chosen: green (forest & ricefields), blue (sea and rivers) and brown (mountains & traditional houses), the colours of Flores.
You will find here travel information about the island of Flores, which will be updated frequently.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome.