Kelimutu National Park
Kelimutu – National Park in Indonesia, better known for its magical multi-colored lakes, which are considered the national treasure and even depicted on Indonesia's bills. Park covers an area of 50 km2.
Color Lakes Kelimutu
The color of water bodies in the Kelimutu National Park can be turquoise, green, red, brown and even black. Moreover, colors in different lakes, and there are three of them on the island, can vary among themselves. The change in the color scheme is completely independent of the natural-weather conditions, which gives natural reservoirs a great charm and strengthens the superstition of local residents who consider amazing lakes to be the creation of supernatural forces. In fact, an unusual phenomenon is associated with minerals located at the bottom of lakes. Substances gradually dissolve in water, giving it an unusual color.
The volcano Kelimutu is sometimes called the "boiling lake". The water temperature in the former craters reaches 37 degrees, the depth is from 3 to 6 meters. Lakes were opened in 1915, but a detailed description appeared only 11 years later. Amazing lakes can change their color several times a season. Scientists argue that this phenomenon is associated with the level of oxygen in the water. But local residents claim that the souls of dead people move to the lakes. And if they start to get angry, then the water acquires a red, and sometimes black shade.
Lakes located in the volcano have their own names. In the southeast is « Enchanted Lake ». A significant role in the origin of the name was played by white steam, which appears on the surface of the water due to the extremely hot vents. Near this lake is the deepest pond of this region, called the "Lake of Young Men and Girls".
"The Lake of the Old is the westernmost. Its crater is located in the center of a larger and more ancient lake, while small landslides periodically flow into the pond or stones fall. It is best to go to the Kelimuth lakes in the early morning to find the most amazing sight: the dawn over the volcano. In the afternoon, fog often hangs over the lakes, preventing you from enjoying unprecedented colors.
Pickup and minibuses are sold in all guest houses. But usually this public transport is crowded, so it will be much more profitable to hire a car. The return path can be done independently: the road to the nearest village will take no more than three hours. It’s better to take warm clothes, water, a snack with you. But in the morning you can count on a cup of hot tea or coffee offered by locals.
Flora and fauna of Kelimutu National Park
In Kelimutu Park, 19 endemic mammals live: palm marten, musangs, Javanese Rus, rodents, porcupines. Pines, mahogany, edelweiss, kazuarin grow in the park. There is a dendropark where 78 species of woody plants grow.
Interesting facts
A fire-breathing natural object is located on the island of Flores, the height of the volcano is 1640 meters. True, the last time the volcano woke up in 1968, but did not bring too much destruction. In 1993, a series of shocks occurred, there were more than 500 of them, but they did not cause panic. Lakes must be watched early in the morning, closer to the fall of evaporation from the lakes, their surface is covered with steam, which does not allow to consider the water.
