Kupang, Indonesia
09 September 2012
Kupang, West Timor, Indonesia
Coming into Kupang, from days and days on the ocean, was shocking. The wide streets were buzzing with speeding traffic; 'bemos' - modified mini-minivans crammed full of people, scooters - more than is even possible to count and, now and again, a car and errant chicken. The streets are thick with these vehicles, all weaving in and out, passing each other at top speed, while not respecting the centre line, even in the places where it is clearly marked. It is a noisy, high-speed city that literally vibrates - partly thanks to the bemos with their bass-heavy sound systems - and we are loving it!
Since arriving, we've been to a couple of open air markets that sold everything from household items, to fruits and vegetables, to grains, and to clothes and shoes. There was also a trip to a battery shop to buy a new starter battery and a repair shop for new brushes to fix our windlass. We've been to a night market (numerous times), which was nothing but food stalls offering many kinds of foods we did and didn't recognize! We went to a grocery store that had little that could help us replenish our stores - some of our provisions are getting low. However, it had a huge clothing section, which the kids loved and spent hours in. With the prices very reasonable, they came away with a few new items. There's nothing like the little 'pick-me-up' that comes with a new top or new shorts, witnessed by smiles all around, as we sat eating ice cream outside the store! We also spent a day being tourists. We went to a waterfall and cave, as well as visiting some monkeys, that loved us while we fed them peanuts and left for the trees as soon as they ran out. We saw how they build the traditional Indonesian fishing boats that are all around us here in the anchorage.
We've had some digestive issues while getting used to the food and water, so each of us has had a day or so of just hanging around the boat. We are looking forward to getting away from the big city and just hanging out in a nice bay with friends.
Still on the 'to do' list, before we leave in a day or two, is finding propane to refill one of our tanks that just ran out and arranging for delivery of water so that we can fill our tanks. So, just a bit of this and that, and off we go to Labuan Bajo at the west end of Flores Island, which is a two day sail away. Our friends on s/v Rhythm will meet us there and then hopefully we will be able to sail together and catch up with our friends on s/v Infini and other boats in the rally.
There are pictures of Kupang in the Photo Gallery.