Faces of Kids

Friends and Colleagues Visit Maumere, Sikka, Flores

With the members of the CAG

Preparing for the instant videoke night. James, installing connections from my computer (with five videoke albums) to the sound system

With colleagues during an instant videoke night for Pak Priyo at Seaworld Club, Maumere.

The boys almost fell asleep because of the songs (mostly soft), but Samsons' "Naluri Lelaki" came to the rescue.

Bec extended her stay in Maumere.

We had a simple dinner in my place with Bec Coronado (in blue)

a fellow Filipino VSO Volunteer in Ruteng,

Manggarai, Flores.

Kelimutu: Three Craters, Three Colors

The trip to Kelimutu took us three hours and 45 minutes from Maumere (by car). We left Maumere at 3am and reached the place around 5:45 (parking lot). We had to walk to the site for about 20 minutes (depending on the capacity:)).

Changing Land, Enduring Beliefs

Local people believe that souls and spirits come together at Kelimutu. When a person dies, their Soul or "Mae" leaves the village and comes here, to eternity. Souls must first come through Konde Ratu, the spirit gatekeeper. Depending on ....., young, old, or
evil.

As if the three deep cratered lake were dyed or painted. The water colors change without warning. Dissolving minerals in the water, and Kelimutu's volcanic life below the surface cause the colors of the three lakes to switch unexpectedly.

The moods of Kelimutu vary. Not only with the changing lake colors, but also with the weather. It is no wonder that this mystical place is the subject of long-lasting legends, passdown through generations of local villagers to whom this place is sacred.

This crater with a "coca cola" colored water lie beside the green colored crater

(upper left corner)
The crater above rests on the otherside of the peak, with dark brown colored lake.
The green (kelimutu green) crater.