The little known Indonesian island of Flores has seen an upturn in tourism recently, thanks to the discovery of its famous fossilized daughter, nicknamed “Flo”. The skeletal remains of a hobbit-like human who lived some 18,000 years ago, Flo was excavated from Liang Bua Cave, along with ancient stone tools and other fragments of skeletal remains.
The discovery of Homo floresiensis has piqued interest in Flores. The island has only primitive amenities. You’ll likely sleep in a hotel with no showers and the barest of furnishings. But really, who wants to hang out in a hotel room when there are volcanoes, multicolored lakes and Komodo dragons waiting outside your door. Flores has much to recommend to the adventurous tourist. Touring Flo’s home, for instance. The Liang Bua Cave has been excavated, and only stalactites and stalagmites remain, but it is a worthy day’s excursion. Tour guides can arrange an entire itinerary through Flores, trekking to villages to be welcomed by locals, and joining them for dinner and an overnight stay. Flores’ main attraction has long been Kelimutu, a volcano whose summit is graced with three lakes whose colors transform periodically, varying between a spectrum of black, green and red.
