Category Archives: diary

Manado is a big city on the northern tip of Sulawesi. It’s a busy port and business centre but banarkin island just out from the city does lure some foreigners for its diving and snorkeling opportunities. There are some nice reefs here. My local friend knows of a better place for viewing the corals andContinue reading “Saturday 9 March 2019”

I’m up early, packed, early breakfast then a lift to the airport by the hotel. It was part of the deal. My first flight to Denpasar on Wings Air goes well and it’s a 3-hour wait for my next flight to Manado. It seats 180 people but there are only 25 of us. My flightContinue reading “Friday 8 March 2019”

Not a good day. I have to be in Labuan Bajo on Friday to catch two flights to Manado so I decide to fly from Ende rather than risk buses. It was a process just buying the ticket then mid flight we’re redirected to Lombok because of bad weather. Waited in the Lombok airport forContinue reading “Thursday 7 March 2019”

I read about Paga on Flores and the opportunities to experience nice beaches from the Lonely Plants guide so rather than spend a night in the airport town of Maumere, I caught a mini bus from town directly from my flight for Koka Beach. My rogue of a taxi driver from the airport to theContinue reading “Saturday 2nd March 2019”

Koka Beach is even more beautiful in the morning light. I walk down there first thing with no real agenda apart from getting some photos. It’s hot and steamy already so I take a swim. The water is crystal clear and I have the beaches to myself for a while. Fishermen start coming in andContinue reading “Sunday 3 March 2019”

Today it’s back to Bali. Our flight is for 8:30am so it’s a 6:30 start from our hotel. All went well. It’s a short flight. Indonesia is very well serviced with domestic flights. Most islands have at least one airport, some have two or three.

Tambolaka is a small city on Sumba that is the gateway to western side of the island. We flew directly from Bali to here and will fly out from here tomorrow. There is another airport on the eastern side at Waingapu. Our driver takes us from Waikabubak to Tambolaka in the morning, arriving around 11am.Continue reading “Wednesday 27 February 2019”

From the city it’s possible to do a walk along a ridge line to the edge of town. Along the way you pass by temples, guest houses, spas and retreats before coming out onto rice fields and farms. It’s a hot balmy day and the farmers are tending their rice fields. It’s planting time andContinue reading “Thursday 21 February 2019”