Words Ni Komang Erviani Photos Lukman SB and Ni Komang Erviani

As an archipelagic nation of more than 17,000 islands, there are many places to visit in Indonesia besides Bali; Rote island is one alternative.

Located in eastern Indonesia, part of East Nusa Tenggara province, Rote is one of Indonesia'€™s outer islands and has an area of only 1,200 square kilometers. This small island, however, can provide a lot of fun experiences for travelers.

From Bali, Rote can be reached via Kupang with a number of airlines providing daily flights. The flight from Bali to Kupang takes around one hour and 40 minutes. From El Tari Airport in Kupang, a short 20-minute flight is provided by Wings Air daily to Lekunik airport in Rote. Other airlines provide chartered flights.

Alternatively, you can travel from Kupang by either fast ferry, reaching Rote in just two hours, or the much slower public ferry, which takes around six hours.

Rote island is arid and hot, although in the rainy season it is much greener. Rote Ndao regency comprises the islands of Rote and Ndao; the capital city, Ba'€™a, is located on Rote and is home to a lighthouse that makes a great foreground for sunset photography.

Around 30 minutes from Ba'€™a, you will find Batu Termanu, a huge rock believed to have magical powers and which inspired the motif found in traditional Ndao hand-woven textiles. While Rote has no weaving tradition, the women on Ndao believe every woman should be able to weave their black, gold and red cloth.

In Rote, these traditional textiles can be found in Seberang Kali village, where many Ndao people live. They hang their hand-woven cloths in front of their houses, where you can also watch the women weaving.

Rote is also well known for the traditional tiilangga hat, which is made of palmyra leaves and only used for customary activities.

'€œIt was originally a hat for the kings,'€ said one maker, Markus Oto, who claimed it took several days to make just one hat.

The most popular part of Rote, however, is Nembrala, a beach that is very popular for surfing and diving.

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