Lingko Spiderweb Rice Fields, Cancar, Flores, Indonesia

Lingko Spiderweb Rice Fields, Cancar, Flores, Indonesia

Our journey through Todo was very interesting, passing busy villagers with their busy lives.  We met so many people along the way, particularly curious children. I cannot forget the moment when we met those young school children, 24 young girls, living in a small hut, with very basic facilities, and with no adult supervision. I couldn’t find the right words to describe it. The weather was fairly wet after we left Beakondo, but still pleasant enough to see interesting things outside. There was no moment to feel bored here, so much to see, and so much to ask questions about. Our next stop is the Lingko rice fields in Cancar.

We got to Cancar early afternoon, and we were told that in order to view the rice fields from the highest and best viewpoint, we would need to climb up the steep steps and then the hills above it. The best viewing point to see Lingko rice field is called Lodok, and the climbing to get there not recommended for those with bad knees. There was a small hut on the side of the road, right at the bottom of the hill, managed by the family who represents the collectives of families who own the rice fields. We were told the rice fields are own by a group of families, in Indonesia commonly known as “Tanah Adat”, is customary land owned collectively by families normally related (or by the member of societies), and is jointly managed to make ends meet. The Lingko sharing system called Lodok, hence the viewing point is named after this system.

There is a small visitors’ book where you need to fill in before making your hike and you will need to pay a small amount of donation to the family (about Rp. 10,000 – ten thousand rupiah), apparently to maintain the concreted steps up the hill, fair enough and is good that they open this field to tourists.

he view of the rice fields from Lodok is breathtakingly beautiful. Behind you, down below is the town of Cancar. I took so many pictures of the rice fields, just never had enough of them, so stunning and magical. I think August is possibly the best month to visit this place, as the paddies are now fully grown and some of them have already turned golden yellow, ready for harvest.

We descended back down to Cancar and stopped at the hut for a cup of coffee. I suppose foreign tourists not fully aware that the family who owns the hut, do offer freshly brewed Flores ground coffee. As an Indonesian speaking person, it is a privilege to be able to dig up some stories about the place. The old man has just finished roasting his coffee beans and was showing them to us inside a bamboo tray, it was a bit over roasted and black from my liking, but it smelled so fantastic.

Visit Flores, you will not be disappointed. There are so many things to excite you on the journey.

Happy travelling.

Nelly Andon

 

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