Hi there!
We’re a group of 4 heading to Indonesia in April. We’d like to visit Sumba and could use some info on the island and the connections between Flores and Sumba—either by plane or ferry. Is it easy to find accommodations, and how’s the safety? Does anyone know a good guide?
I’ve been to Sumba twice, both times by plane from Denpasar (Bali) with Merpati, which has a monopoly on the route. Flight time: 1 hour 10 minutes, and the price: around 70 € one way (price as of April 2009).
I don’t know about flights from Flores, but there is indeed a ferry that connects the two islands. I can look into it since I’m heading back in April.
As for accommodation (not very abundant, true, and not everywhere), it’s easy to find because Sumba isn’t yet popular with foreigners—and that’s a good thing. It’s one of its charms. If you want to travel in peace, it’s the best. In any case, the island is definitely worth it, especially if you’re even slightly interested in the people, their traditions, and their beliefs. It’s an island where the locals have managed to preserve, at least in part, their ancestral customs to this day.
I can give you tips via private message about the places I’ve tried and share the contact info of friends who aren’t official guides (I’m not sure there are any, since there’s no tourist office there and very few travel agencies) but who can take you around by motorbike. Great guys who’ll bend over backwards to make your trip easy.
If any of this interests you, I can share everything I’ve got.
😊Thanks for all this quick info. We’re also leaving in April for 5 weeks. Bali, Lombok, Flores, and Sumba are the places we’d like to visit. Like you, the ideal for us is to understand their way of life and get to know the locals. We’d love to have more tips. We’ve read that safety there isn’t always ideal, but it’s true that if you don’t respect their customs, misunderstandings can happen. We can share our email if that’s easier.
Thanks,
Sandrami
It could help others who’d also like to go to Sumba (me, for instance).
I wanted to go last June, but the first boat, the KM Wilis, which I planned to take from Bima (Sumbawa) to Waingapu, was in dry dock. No luck again when I tried to take the KM Awu from Denpasar to Waingapu—it was docked too.
More info on Sumba from member lolodesiles (formerly citoyendumonde, if I understood correctly 🤪) in their post: 3000 km by scooter in Indonesia through Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores, and Sumba (photos and videos)
Okay, I won’t go back over the safety stuff—I think you’ve read what I wrote...
Yeah, getting to Sumba by ferry is a nightmare—often broken down, and when it’s not, the sea is rough. So you’ve got to allow PLENTY OF TIME to have some wiggle room. Plus, flights are often canceled due to lack of passengers, and in April, that’s definitely the case since it’s off-season... if you can even call it a "season" in Sumba.
There’s a ferry from Ende and another from Aimere, in the south of Sumba. About one ferry a week, I don’t remember which day—anyway, it’s useless to know since it changes all the time...
Watch out—you’ll need to speak Bahasa, otherwise you won’t be able to communicate with anyone outside of hotel owners. Not many accommodations, and they’re often fully booked because of Indonesian officials who like to hold seminars there (at least when I was there), but you can always find something... though it’s not necessarily cheap (100,000 IDR minimum). The Lonely Planet is pretty thorough on this, but you’ve got to multiply the listed prices by 2 or 3. And the distances on their map too
Also, be careful—there’s malaria... I didn’t catch it, but my Indonesian friend (a fisherman who already lived in an infected area) did!!
I could only stay a week in Sumba (including 3 days nursing my sick friend 🙁), and I really regret not being able to do a full loop of the island, which is fascinating, especially in those small villages with such unique architecture where Catholics and Muslims live in perfect harmony.
My private message suggestion was meant for the friends I mentioned in my post, as I’m not sure the site’s rules allow me to "do what feels like advertising" on the public forum.
Otherwise, no problem—my info is for everyone, of course.
What are your questions about Sumba? What exactly are you looking for? In my previous post, I kept things pretty general. Tell me specifically, and I’ll do my best to answer—promise, cross my heart, spit!
One thing I forgot to mention: I recommend knowing some basic Bahasa for everyday situations, since English (even in hotels) isn’t widely spoken. A practical method like Assimil is perfect for that. Plus, being able to communicate in the local language, like anywhere, opens doors—and it’s even more true in Sumba.
An "ad" is when you get paid for the details you share.
If, for Sumba, you’re sharing the name and contact info of someone who can help explore the region, that’s information—even if that person gets paid for their service.
For example, I shared this about Kalimantan in a post:
"... trip to Mencinai (museum) and Ekeng (long Dayak house) by motorbike with Ikin (he sells coconuts at the market entrance and speaks good English) 100,000 Rp for the very long round trip..."
As for Sumba, it won’t be part of my next trip (September–October) to Indonesia, where I’ll focus on Sumatra.
Even with the help of a few Indo enthusiasts like you and me 😏, I still don’t get it all. I think he’s saying his wife is from that place or something like that 🤪. I could ask him to translate it into English, but where’s the fun in that?
Wow, you're giving me way more credit for my language skills than I deserve! I think I mentioned in another post that my knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia ends where the laughter begins, and from there, language becomes universal. But with each trip, I'm improving—though I'm still far from being able to hold a philosophical conversation or anything like that.
Oh, sorry! Well, they’ll probably wake up by the end of the week, since the post is about Indo ;-)
Anyway, I might crack the mystery key before then since I already have some people working on it 🙂
The pestanya was held in Kampung Tarung, which is my wife’s family village (Dapawole family)... but I don’t know what the celebration was for... all I know is there was a lot of meat to eat hahaha... haha...--
This festival was celebrated in the village of Tarung, which is actually my wife’s family village (Dapawole family), but I don’t know the reason or purpose behind it... what’s certain is we ate a lot of meat hahaha... ha ha (Ed. note: absolutely dying of laughter!!!)
That’s all, Lolo of the Islands, also known by some as "the Indonesia specialist"😎
Indonesia has so many "fadas"! Once you discover it, you really want to go back—and it’s so big and diverse that you could spend multiple trips there, or even... part of your life!
"Fada" is such a lovely term. It means the "fada" is someone who talks with fairies... that’s my interpretation, anyway—it might not be exact!
Since most Indonesians are animist, "fada" fits perfectly 😉😉
As for Sumba, I’m planning to go either during the summer holidays or in September/October...
So any recent tips you have would be much appreciated 😉
Oh yeah, the river you're talking about is home to saltwater crocodiles... frequent attacks... one of them was even featured in a NEW LOOK report back in the '90s... As for the Pontianak area, this capture follows about ten attacks (some fatal) in just a few months, but this wasn't the right one. 🤪
Here, a few photos of other specimens caught between June and August near Pontianak—except the last one, which was caught in Pemangkat by fishermen... for the record, I’d swum there just a week earlier! 😱
To wrap up, here’s a little photo report on the capture of a Saltie in East Kalimantan: http://www.pbase.com/archiaston/crocodile. This one is suspected of killing a child. What struck me while looking at these photos was the extreme poverty of the people who really have no choice but to keep using the river every day despite the presence of such monsters....
But we’re getting off-topic from Sumba, which was mentioned yesterday at 9:00 PM (TV5Monde - *Le Point*, a Quebec magazine) in a report about Gilles Raymond, who helps the people of Flores become self-sufficient—especially when it comes to supplying water to villages (around Bajawa, if I heard correctly).
I’d like to do a kind of personal retreat this winter and I’m looking for a destination near the sea (preferably an island) that’s quiet. Is that possible in Thailand, or should I consider another destination?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Dayi
This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference?
If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
Hi everyone.
I’m heading to Malaysia for five weeks over the holiday season.
I just found out that tourists can pay by QR code like locals (street food, small shops) to avoid using cash.
This works with apps like Wise or TNG eWallet.
Has anyone tried this system before?
Hi everyone,
I’ll be in western Malaysia for 20 days in January and February.
I’m coming from southern Thailand to Ipoh for the Thaipusam festivities.
Then it’s off to Pangkor Island.
I’ll finish up in Malacca for the Chinese New Year celebrations before heading to Singapore.
I’ve got a 6-day gap.
I was thinking of going to K.Lipis for the jungle train and heading to Dabong, but the caves might not be open.
Any suggestions around K.L.?
Day treks?
A stopover between K.L. and Malacca?
Thanks
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
I’m heading to Cambodia at the end of December 2026 – January 2027 for 3-4 weeks. Since I’ve already visited Cambodia twice, my itinerary is a bit different this time—I’d love to explore Botum Sakor Park, Chi Pat, the Tatai region, and the Cardamom Mountains. I’m traveling solo. If you have any tips on transportation, excursions, treks, sights, or accommodations in the area, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback!
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
A little piece of Sulawesi with the family: Rantepao and Selayar
Banggai Islands (Sulawesi)
Off on an adventure to Java (and a bit of Bali)
Cruise around the islands of Komodo
The Moluccas: Splendors (and Struggles) of an Archipelago Unknown to Tourists
3 weeks in Bali in 2025
The Pearl of Africa - July-August 2026
Tanzania Classics (Safari & Zanzibar)
