Flores Island is one of the three main islands in the Nusa Tenggara Timur province of Indonesia. It is renowned for its volcanic landscapes, particularly Mount Kelimutu, traditional villages, pristine beaches with stunning coral reefs, and, of course, the iconic Komodo dragons.

Visiting Mount Kelimutu and its three lakes had long been on my bucket list, and last December, I finally checked it off. The journey to Kelimutu from Labuan Bajo was both thrilling and treacherous. As we passed the last mountain at night before Ende, a thick fog rolled in, making the drive incredibly challenging. For over an hour, we navigated through the dense mist, barely able to see ahead. I was immensely grateful when a light rain began to fall, gradually clearing the fog and making the road visible once again.

We climbed Kelimutu early in the morning but arrived a bit too late to catch the sunrise. When we reached the summit, the lakes were completely hidden beneath a thick blanket of fog. It seemed like we wouldn’t get a glimpse, but suddenly, for less than three minutes, the fog lifted, revealing a breathtaking view—far more stunning than I had ever imagined.