Introducing Bima & Raba
Bima and Raba together form the major town in the eastern half of Sumbawa. Bima, Sumbawa’s chief port, is a grubby run-down place that becomes mud-bound in the wet season and frazzled in the dry. You’ll want to get out sharpish. Raba, a few kilometres east, is the much more orderly but dull administrative centre.
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The Bima region has been known since the 14th century for its sturdy horses, which were exported to Java. Today, Bima is a conservative Islamic place with one mediocre sight – the former sultan’s palace – though the pasar malam (night market) on Jl Flores is worth a wander.
Virtually everyone is here to take the ferry (or a flight if they’re lucky) to Labuanbajo in Flores; they then head to Rinca or Komodo for a dragon-spotting session. Remember one thing: the ferry between Sumbawa and Flores no longer stops at Komodo, no matter what some hustlers may claim.
Last updated: Mar 2, 2009
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