Following its success last year, Lembata regency administration in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province is set to hold the second Festival Tiga Gunung (Three Mountains Festival) from Aug. 26 to 31.
The festival’s name refers to the three mountains in Lembata, namely Ile Batutara, Ile Lewotolok, and Ile Werung. According to Lembata Deputy Regent Thomas Ola Langoday, Mount Ile Batutara boasts several unique features, such as that it erupts every 20 minutes, which can be witnessed from about 50 meters away.
Mt. Ile Lewotolok has a wide white sandy crater in its peak that resembles a field and can be used to play soccer. A traditional house that hosts unique cultural ceremonies can also be found on its slopes.
Meanwhile, Mt. Ile Werung boasts an exotic panorama, as well as swift’s nests and a cave that leads to a beach. The festival itself will feature various activities and arts and cultural performances.
“It will host a trekking competition to Mt. Ile Lewotolok and Mt. Ile Werung, a traditional fist fight attraction known as hadok, an international paragliding festival, dance and sole-oha singing festivals, a Lembata colossal dance attraction, handicraft and Lembata culinary exhibitions and ethnic performances,” said Thomas as quoted by kompas.com.
To reach the island of Lembata, visitors can travel by air from Kupang’s El Tari International Airport in NTT to Wunopito-Lewoleba Airport in Lembata, or from Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali to Frans Seda Maumere Airport in Maumere, NTT. From Maumere, they can hop on a bus or rent a motorcycle to get to the capital of East Flores regency, Larantuka. From there, travelers can take a ferry or motorboat to Lembata Island.
Source&image: TheJakartaPost
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