Indonesia East Nusa Tenggara
Kelimutu
Tri-crater volcanic mountain with three uniquely colored lakes, a striking natural wonder and tourist attraction.
Tips from the community
According to folklore, the three crater lakes of Kelimutu, where the water takes on multi-coloured hues, act as a kind of anteroom for the afterlife; so the story goes, Mae, the god of the afterlife, sends the departed to the different lakes depending on their actions in life.
From atop the site’s viewing platform, visitors may well glimpse a thin vapour dancing across Tiwu ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) or Tiwu Ata Polo (Bewitched or Enchanted Lake) before dissipating without explanation into thin air.
tomas.d 3 years ago
Kelimutu Guides
Tradition and Lore: Eight Intriguing Sites in Indonesia
tomas.d (Tom D) Whilst Indonesia has plenty to entice visitors, it is the hidden depths that often offer the most compelling allure. The depth and breadth of folklore and history mirror the cultural diversity across the archipelago, from the northern tip of Sumatra to West Papua’s border with Papua New Guinea, and indicate the influence of long-held customs. Magnify this across innumerable religions, languages, cultures and islands to have some idea of the myriad stories that only begin to scratch the surface of Indonesia’s mythology and teach lessons to those willing to learn. Here are eight such examples.