Visiting Sumba in Indonesia (page 3 of 3)

Book a first-class cabin with two beds. The pleasure of tranquility is worth the price.

I only lasted 10 minutes in economy class 😕—after that, I got it and always traveled in a cabin alone.

Would you ever think of sharing your hotel room with strangers?

First class. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of economy class.

Okay, thanks! We’ll see once we get to Bali. We’ll only have 30 days, and the crossing days that might interest us—the only ones, actually!!—and if they leave on the right day and at the right time!!—would be:

Departure: March 8, arrival in Sumba on the 10th

Return: Departure on the 15th, arrival in Bali on the 17th

That’d only be 5 days in Sumba, which seems too short to me, unless we fly back a bit later if possible??????? I’m not sure, actually, because I wanted to spend 15 days in Lombok and about ten in Sumba, but the ferry schedule doesn’t really line up, so we’ll see once we’re there...

And what do you mean by sharing my hotel room????

For Sumba, try via Bima (Sumbawa).

There are two boats that go from Bima to Waingapu.

You’ll need to juggle and complete this triangle: Denpasar (Bali) – Waingapu (Sumba) – Bima (Sumbawa, then Lombok) – Denpasar (Bali).

And what do you mean by sharing my hotel room????

On trains and boats, they try to force us to share our sleeping space with others, but not in hotels. When will we get singles on trains and boats? On the Pelni, I always insisted—successfully—on having a cabin to myself.

yeah, not a bad idea—I hadn’t thought of that!!! We’ll need to check the schedules, but it all adds up to be pretty expensive🤪 Or I was thinking Lombok, then doing a big loop around Sumbawa—it doesn’t seem to be visited much, apparently..... Oh well, no big deal, we’ll figure it out when we get there, depending on the ferry days and schedules (D-5!!!)

And by the way, Padangbai-Lembar—does that crossing still exist every day???

Thanks for the info🙂 (I don’t have a Lonely Planet for the month, so VF is filling in!!!!!)

padangbai-lembar

Yes, there should still be several crossings per day.

It’s just that it seems to me that Pelni boats no longer stop in Lembar!

okay, thanks, destiny will choose our path....!!!!!!

In Indonesia, it’s not you who takes the boat/bus/bemo/transport—it’s the boat/bus/bemo/transport that takes you 🤪

Hi, I just came across this post, which is a bit old... I'm heading to Sumba in a few days. If you still have contacts for people who could guide me there for a few days, I'd be interested. I'll be around the west of the island, landing in Tambolaka. Thanks in advance, Julien

Hi, I just came across this post, which is a bit old... I'm heading to Sumba in a few days. If you still have contacts of people who could guide me there for a few days, I'd be interested. I'll be around the west of the island, landing in Tambolaka. Thanks in advance, Julien

Hello,

I haven’t heard from the person I knew in the western part of Sumba. However, if you go to the eastern part, particularly in Waingapu, you’ll likely run into two of my acquaintances who tour the town’s hotels selling jewelry and other typical items. Their names are Arais and Cewi, but they speak very little English. Some basic Indonesian is essential to communicate with them. You can mention my name to them. They can help with small favors. They’re not guides, but they can take you around Waingapu on their motorbikes.

Have a great trip under Sumba’s vibrant skies,

Tetrodon

Hi everyone, I'm still in Sumba—I came back for the Pasola... I was here in January too. As for guides, I visited a few traditional villages with someone who works at the hotel where I was staying... I stayed in Waikabubak. That said, I found it pretty expensive—250,000 IDR for the day, or 275,000 if you want to rent a scooter for yourself—even though I saw some amazing things. Plus, this guy’s a real businessman, he had dollar signs in his eyes... I had to pay for everything for him every time, which wasn’t a huge amount, but just on principle, he could’ve told me beforehand. I can still give you his contact details, but the easiest thing is to rent a scooter—between 50,000 and 75,000 IDR—and head to the villages on your own. That said, it’s not easy if you don’t speak Bahasa... Otherwise, just by chatting with people around you, you’ll easily find someone to show you around! But all in all, Sumba is awesome!!! julien

Hello, I saw your message from 15 years ago... I’m taking a chance, hoping you might still read this. I just want to know if the town of Sumba is convenient. Like, are there banks, grocery stores, laundry services, etc.? Thanks so much (fingers crossed for a reply).

Akila