Of all
incredible sights in Nusa Tenggara the colored lakes of Kelimutu
are undoubtedly the most spectacular. The three lakes are
set in deepcraters at an altitude of 1.690m asl and are near
the summit of the Kelimutu volcano ( Keli means mountain and
Mutu is crater / steam).
They have a habit of changing color and most recently the
largest was light turquoise, the one next to it was dark brown
and the third one was black.
No – one was managed to fully explain the cause of the
colors or why they change, except to suppose that different
minerals are dissolved in each lake. The moons cape effect
of the craters gives the whole summit area an ethereal atmosphere
that can be quite creepy when clouds blow ion after 8am .
There is a story among the locals that the souls of the dead
go to these lakes: young people’s souls go to the warmth
of Tiwu Nuwa Muri Koo Fai ( Turquose lake ), Olds people to
the cold of Tiwu Ata Mbupu ( Brown lake ) , and those of thieves
and murders to Tiwu Ata Polo ( Black lake ).
Kelimutu has attracted sightseers since Dutch times and today
there is a paved road up to the lakes from Moni, 13,5km away
at base of the mountain. There is a staircase up to the highest
lookout, inspiration point, From where all three lakes are
visible.
There is wonderfully spacious feeling up here and you can
scramble around the perimeters of two of the lake craters
for a bit of solitude. Take care though, as the Scree is loose
and it is hell of along way down. Hope for a sunny day sunrise
is stunning and the turquoise lake reaches it’s full
brilliance in the sunlight. More fantastic if we visit at
6 o’clock in the morning.
