I finally received my 6th Island bracelet, to complete the set of bracelets from each of the islands we have cycled so far – Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and Flores .
It was hard work; I had to climb 6646m from sea level (Labuan Bajo) to sea level (Ende) to complete my mission! In Ende I eventually went out with Gerald to inspect the top attraction of the town, a small, battery powered, portable carousel with two young kids riding proud their carts. On the way back we stopped at a small shop with all kind of ‘Chinese jewelry’ and lots of wooden statues, batik and other things. There were a few items, that looked nice and different than the Chinese ‘plastic art’. Nobody was in the shop so we called for assistance. Two young girls were obviously attracted
by the strange male voices and came over from the associated house. Very shy they entered the shop to find us two. A few words exchanged and I was ‘engaged’ with Sri, when she
tied the bracelet to my wrist, amusedly watched by her friend Isra. To me it is always a surprise how relaxed and open minded everything is in this country and how easy you make contact and friends. A few words Bahasa Indonesia combined with English and all doors are wide open. After a final group photo Gerald and I were back out into the darkness to return to our hotel.
Daily Archives: October 12, 2014
Stage 44: Flores
| Bajawa to Ende | |||||
| Date: | 10-12-2014 | Time: |
05:21 h |
Σ Time: | 255:39 h |
| Distance: |
125 km |
Σ km: | 5135 km | Temp: | 15/42 °C |
| Up: | 1098 m | Σ Up: | 63119 m | Down: | 2246 m |
| Calories: | 2048 kcal | Σ kcal: | 118771 kcal | ||
| Conditions: | Cool in the morning on higher altitude. Hot in the afternoon approaching the coast. Scenic roads and smoking volcanoes, riding through fertile lands and dense forests. | ||||
After the 2 days of immense climbing this was an easier cycling day. Although there were no real big climbs, the coastal rollers at the last 30 km to Ende added up to 1100m at days end. The downhill in the morning to sea level was a treat. The active and smoking volcano Ebulobo was our companion for almost the whole day, as we seemed to circumvent him. As the sun moved higher the light got better and so the picturesque of the landscape. At one corner I was waiting almost 20 minutes for the riders to pass. Just when I climbed down from my view point, Henry and Nellie (today’s sweeps) raced by, stopped and Henry and I continued our ‘Indonesian Adventure’ of experiencing and enjoying the nature and colorful scenery of these diverse islands for quite a distance. Dry and deserted areas changing into rainforest and fertile fields within miles. Here in Eastern Flores you can already see a touch of Papua, e.g. in the faces of the people. Almost all day I got the friendly, well known ‘Hello Miss/Mister’, ‘Bule-Bule’, or ‘Touri’. Only a few kids and young adults practiced their ‘bad’ English, with expressions I will not repeat. The ‘smilie ball’ at my bike seat post is always an eye catcher, when ever I pass a group I hear the giggling and a ‘bola-bola’. Motorcyclists passing me giving a ‘thumbs up’ with a big smile. Christian singing can be heard from churches in almost every village on this Sunday morning. I stopped at a church and was immediately surrounded by a large number of youngsters, which were outside the church and followed the ceremony via the speaker. The church was filled to the last seat. The whole village seems to go to church. What a contrast to the churches in the western world, nowadays. Throughout Indonesia I have never seen an adult slapping a child. However here in the catholic part, an elderly man – dressed in a Bavarian (Barbarian) Bayern Munich shirt – had a long stick and used it to hit the kids, to chase them away. Although I told him to stop it and that all is o.k. (tidak apa apa) he seemed to like his whipping job . Is this the Christian influence? I never saw such ‘guards’ in the Muslim part of the country. After lunch there was a large portion of gravel on the downhill. The ride along the coast was stunning. The roaring of the waves that ponder onto the pebble beach and throwing the spray of water wide into the air. At 1:30pm I arrived in Ende, took a short detour along the beach front to scan for opportunities to buy my Flores bracelet before heading up short uphill towards the airport where we stay in the only nice place in town. I had no luck at this time, but later this evening …
Too bad that we were on a tight schedule today and I couldn’t spend more time on he road. We had to be in Ende in the early afternoon, to load our bicycles and bags onto a truck, that carries it over to Timor on a ferry. We are going to fly to Kupang the day after tomorrow. So it means 2 rest days in Ende and another in Kupang, before we finish our Indonesian part of Trans-Oceania with 4 cycling days to Dili.
Farewell in Ende
Our 3 drivers, Dhanu, Sulis and Yudha, who supported us excellent around the clock, since the first day in Sumatra in August, have unfortunately already left us in Ende/East Flores, as we continue to Timor by plane and get a new crew for the 4 days on Timor and Timor-Leste.
You guys were great!!!!
We wished you could have stayed longer with us; preferably until Sydney!We will miss you and your hospitality, your infectious smiles, the encouraging words and cheerful wishes sending us into the tough cycling days or at lunch. Without you the tour would have been not the same. Thanks again / Terima Kasih
All the best to you. Have a safe trip home to Yogya.
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