1. Mulut Seribu
Mulut Seribu (One Thousand Mouths in English) is the name that locals have given to the mangrove forest that lies on the easternmost shore of the island of Rote. Here, dozens of small islands lie very close to each other, making the area resemble nothing so much as a giant labyrinth. The waters are relatively calm due to the area’s geographical location, which shelters it from the ocean wind. If you’d like to pay this unique spot a visit, you can rent a boat down in the village of Papela for between IDR 200,000 and 350,000, depending on how good your haggling skills are. Make sure your skipper knows his way around so you don’t get lost out there!
2. All-year-round Surfer’s Paradise
If you love to ride the waves atop a surfboard, then you have taken the right step by coming here, as Rote is surely a surfer’s paradise. The waves here tend to be consistent all year round and are not so influenced by the seasons as they are at other surfing destinations. The most popular surf spots here are the beaches of Nemberala and Bo’a in West Rote. In the past Rote boasted “top secret” status, as not many knew about its top breaks. Now though, many hobbyists have put the island firmly on the surfing map, and upmarket resorts are springing up along its beaches. The best time for a decent surf is between April and September.
3. Papela
This fishing village in the east of Rote represents the excellence of the Bajo and Bugis peoples as oceanic explorers. Nobody knows for sure exactly when they first weighed anchor, but what is clear is that they have been settled here ever since. Papela is relatively isolated from the hustle and bustle of the district capital, and so the village has its own dock, as well as a weekly market. In addition to exploring community life down here, it is also interesting to witness the traditional boat-building process at first hand.
4. Susu Goreng
Rote offers a few unique culinary specialities and the one that you really shouldn’t miss out on is susu goreng (fried milk). This may not sound tempting, but once you try it, you will be hooked. This local favourite is made from simple ingredients: water-buffalo milk and cooking oil. The fresh milk is cooked for hours until it becomes dry and congealed. Cooking oil or coconut oil is then used to bring out the resulting savoury taste. A portion of fried milk costs IDR 30,000 and can reach up to IDR 100,000 when the stuff is in short supply, as water buffalo milk can become scarce at certain times of the year.
5. It’s All About the Beach
It’s surprising that more visitors don’t make it over to Rote, as the island boasts an abundance of beautiful beaches that offer tourists some simply stunning panoramas. Expanses of pure white sand fuse with the shimmering blue sea, and the exotic stretches of coastlines found on islands such as Tongga, Tesabela and Oeseli are some of the most stunning you’ll ever see.
6. Sound of the Sasando
The sasando is an indigenous stringed instrument that encapsulates the skill and the love of the Rote community. Almost any local event would feel incomplete without a musical accompaniment from this fine instrument. Having started life as the creation of two shepherds who accidentally discovered an alternative use for the area’s lontar palm leaves, the sasando has evolved with the times and is these days often played in a modern musical context. The best way to experience a performance that includes this iconic instrument is by attending a traditional Rote ceremony such as a wedding.
7. Tenun Ikat Ndao
East Nusa Tenggara is a paradise for lovers of the woven textiles that are popularly known as ikat, and down in the district of Rote Ndao, the community that lives on the island of Ndao specialises in this kind of weaving. Ndao is a small island that lies to the west of Rote, and the motifs found on the cloth produced here consist of a combination of geometric patterns, flora and marine creatures. If you’re looking to check out the local community’s ikat-weaving skills, then there’s no need to find your sea legs, as the Ndao settlement of Namo Ndao lies only 500m to the east of Ba’a. Here, dozens of Ndao craftsmen and women still actively engage in this time-honoured craft. Prices vary, usually ranging from IDR 250,000 to 400,000 for a large, woven ikat blanket
8. Termanu
Many know it simply as Batu Termanu, a reference to the two gigantic rocky hills of Batu Sueley and Batu Hun which are the area’s main landmarks. According to local legend, the two rocks symbolise a couple: a man and woman. When the dry season arrives, the visible panorama of the Batu Sueley area resembles a part of the African continent. The yellowing savannah, hills, rows of palm trees and wild horses that run free make for magnificent viewing, and you’ll find this inspiring spot a mere 8km from Ba’a, the district capital of Rote Ndao. In terms of accommodation, visitors can enjoy hotels with transfer services to and from the town centre.
How to get there
Garuda Indonesia flies to Kupang via Denpasar from Jakarta vv 7 times per week. To continue on to Rote, take a 20-minute domestic flight or an express ship from the port of Tenau, which takes a couple of hours to make the crossing.
Sumber : www.garudamagazine.com
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