Maumere

The city of Maumere is the capital of Flores’ most populous Regency, Sikka, with over 300,000 residents.  Located on one of the narrowest stretches of the island, Maumere’s wow factor is its proximity to both the northern and southern coasts, which are only a one-hour drive apart. Located by Maumere on the southern coast (Savu Sea) is the popular ‘Koka Beach’, while on the opposite northern coast (Flores Sea), Cape Kajuwulu is popular for sunsets, island hopping, snorkeling, and diving.  Together with Larantuka, Maumere offers several places of religious interest, including the ‘Old Catholic Church of Sikka’, the Holy Mary Statue at Nilo Hill, and the unique Bikon Blewut Museum, located in the Catholic Philosophy School of Ledalero (a seminary visited by Pope John Paul II in 1989).  This museum houses a large collection of local artefacts, including rare ikat cloths, stone-age tools, musical instruments, ceramics from china, traditional weapons, and fossil bones from an extinct Mastodon (elephant-like mammoth).  Other attractions include the Geliting traditional market in Kewapante sub-district with its wide variety of fresh local produce, and local village communities—such as Lepo, Lorun, Bliran Sina, and Dokar—which welcome visitors wanting to observe, or learn about, traditional weaving and crafts.