Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 311

Sumbawa Sumbawa, Bali & Flores

SUMBA Tanjung

Sasar

Waikelo
Harbour

Tambolaka
Airport

Wunga

Mamboro

Waitabula

SAVU SEA

Bandokodi

Pero

Waikabubak

Pasunga

WEST
SUMBA Waingapu

Galubakul

Waigali

Praigoli

Lewa

Pantai Marosi

Rua

Wanokaka

EAST
SUMBA

Pau

Melolo

Rende

Mt Wanggameti
(1225m)

N

Tarimbang

Praingkareha

Kaliuda

INDIAN OCEAN

Baing

4

0 20

kilometres

where characteristic houses with
thatched roofs soar to an apex over
15m above the ground.
Access to Sumba is either by ferry from
Ende in Flores to Waingapu or from Sape
in Sumbawa to Waikelo, or by air to
either Waingapu or Waikabubak. Most
people choose to fly out of Waingapu
rather than Waikabubak, which has a
very chequered record for reliability
and cancellations.

extreme point of either shore; all ferries
dock at the western harbour , requiring
an 8km journey around the bay to town.
he eastern harbour in the old town is
now just used for fishing boats, and can
be picturesque, especially at sunset.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO
PRAILU is the most visited of the local
ikat-weaving villages , and is an easy walk
from the hotels near the market. After
signing in at the large, traditional house
(no fixed opening hours but generally
daily 10/11am-5/6pm; Rp10,000), you
can inspect weavings that weren't good
enough to be bought by the traders. he
ikat blankets of east Sumba are ablaze with
symbolic dragons, animals, gods and
head-hunting images. he cloth worn by
men is called the hinggi , and is made from
two identical panels sewn together into a
symmetrical blanket. hese are the most
popular souvenirs, as they make great wall
hangings. Small blankets of medium
quality usually retail for under $50, but
will mainly use only chemical dye. For
larger, high-quality pieces, you can pay

WAINGAPU
It may be the largest port and town on
Sumba, but WAINGAPU is far from a
modern metropolis. Goats wander along
the main road, horses are stabled in front
porches, and locals still walk around
barefoot, with ikat tied around their
heads and waists. he older half of the
hourglass-shaped town is centred around
the port, the newer part around the
market. It's only a fifteen-minute walk
between the two, but every passing ojek
will assume you need a lift. he bay to
the west of town has a harbour at the