Badas Port . (You could pronounce it "Badass"!) Sumbawa

[merantau]

Whenever I go to Sumbawa Besar I always drop in here to check out what’s going on. The blokes working here are a friendly bunch and you can always pick up information about shipping coming in and out of the port for future reference.
On my last visit I learnt of a connection from this port to a couple of small ports further east on Sumbawa terminating at a small port on the north coast of Flores.
If you make yourself known to the Harbour Master, you never know, such a connection may help you get on board a vessel travelling to a far off destination that you’re yet to visit.

 

[merantau]

Early one morning I got to watch the "Hodasco 19" docking - a very delicate manoeuvre .

 

[merantau]

Some random maritime views from Sumbawa and Sumba.

 

[merantau]

Truck drivers at Waikelo port, n-w Sumba wait to board the ferry to Sapè in east Sumbawa. They are carrying cashew nuts
The woman in the photo was from Bima. She and a girlfriend had spent a couple of weeks on Sumba selling clothes door-to-door. Both had been abandoned by errant husbands and were making do as best they could. No government assistance for them. Got to respect their resilience and spirit.

 

[merantau]

Some random maritime views from Sumbawa and Sumba.

Actually the attachment ending in 122 is the ASDP ferry Namparnos at Kalabahi on Alor island.
That ending in 400 is the departures board at Bolok port in Kupang, West Timor.

 

[2wheels]

Some random maritime views from Sumbawa and Sumba.

How does that little Kawasaki handle the local conditions?
Looks about 'the right bike' to me.

 

[merantau]

How does that little Kawasaki handle the local conditions?
Looks about 'the right bike' to me.

How does that little Kawasaki handle the local conditions?
Looks about 'the right bike' to me.

It's a good bike. Bit small for me so I have to sit well back. To compensate I modiried the seat and also use a sheepskin and an Air Hawk cushion. Good all-rounder. Can handle rough going and is light enough (108kg) to manhandle out of trouble. Important for me as I am usually on my own. Very economical. 7 litre tank, kick starter too. The only trouble I've had is vapour lock after prolonged slow running in very rough, hilly up and down terrain. Top speed 100kph. Conditions dictate safe riding speeds between 50 and 75kph.

 

[2wheels]

Hi Merantau.
You might be interested in vlogs from these two Aussies embarking on a ride from Sydney to England.
They are currently island hopping along Indonesia, via Dili etc after departing Darwin.
Just go back a couple of episodes if yo wish to see the start of their (mis)adventures.

 

[merantau]

Thanks mate. Yes, I have been following them with great interest. They intend to cross Indonesia and exit to Sarawak within 30 days. Could be touch and go depending on ferry crossings.

 

[merantau]

Thanks mate. Yes, I have been following them with great interest. They intend to cross Indonesia and exit to Sarawak within 30 days. Could be touch and go depending on ferry crossings.

I have just watched their latest episode which ends when they arrive in south Sulawesi. They are now in Borneo so all up they'd lucky to have spent 7 days riding so far.. i heard them say they wanted to be in Europe before it got too cold. Well, years ago, i rode in Europe in November and it was really cold. November is five weeks away. This trip has a long way to go. I'd been surprised if they reach London before Christmas. Maybe they are going to fly the bikes to Turkey from Delhi or somewhere in the Gulf. It will be interesting to see what eventuates.