Batu Cermin Cave (Mirror stone cave) in Flores - Indonesia

Batu Cermin, or Mirror Rock, is actually a tunnel or cave in a dark stone hills of Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. Sunshine comes in through a hole in the tunnel and then bounces on the stone walls that again reflect small lights to other areas inside the cave like a mirror. That’s why this site is called called mirror rock.
The cave is located east of Labuan Bajo harbor some four kilometers from the town’s center.
Batu CerminBatu Cave discovered in 1951 by the archaeologists as well as the Dutch pastor, Theodore Verhoven. Cave has an area over 19 hectares and 75 meters high. From research conducted Theodore Verhoven, Cermin Cave is one of the cave under the sea which is then lifted to the surface. This tour is so crowded during the day where the sunshine in the heat. Because the tourist want to know the origin of Batu Cermin. The sunlight that broke on the sidelines of the stone then reflected so give the impression of gloss on the stone (Mirror Cave). The reflection stone that later became the origin name of Batu Cermin Cave.
The stone in Batu Cermin Cave contains salt particles causing the stone sparkled when exposed to light. To watch the gleaming stone tourists need to go to a depth of 20 meters in a narrow area of the cave is 200 meters long. In the rainy season, visitors can also reflect in a puddle of water into the cave. This puddle was also glowing.

Batu Cermin Cave also has stalactites and stalagmites, which even takes the entrance of the cave. Therefore, in a tour is limited only 10 participants with the tour time of 30 minutes. Then alternate with other visitors. At least the incoming sunlight made the air in the cave is quite humid. Besides the sparkling stalactites and stalagmites, Batu Cermin Cave also offers views of fossil corals, turtles, and tortoises that were in the cave wall. The fossil scenery looks very clearly. The fossil also contain salt particles which reinforce the opinion of Theodore Verhoven. Explore the fossil landscape gives visitors to learn the life in ancient times. Beside there are the other sightings of a white rock formations long and close to incoming sunlight. This is similar to the stone of Maria statue so that by Christians called Maria statue. Especially with the garnish sunlight coming around. Batu Cermin Cave is also enlivened by the presence of animals such as bats, spiders, and crickets.