West Timor stay and transportation

Replies: 6 - Last Post: Jun 25, 2012 1:52 AM Last Post By: marieke_

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Jun 20, 2012 6:03 AM
Posts: 3

West Timor stay and transportation

This July, I'm planning to stay in Kupang and Atambua for a few days. I could use some advice on the following:

1. does anyone have experience with Susi Air, flying from Kupang to Atambua and back? Is it safe enough, and reliable enough to even want to try? Are there any alternatives?
2. can you recommend places to stay in Kupang and Atambua for a tight-budget development aid worker?

thanks a lot!
marieke

estehpanas

Jun 20, 2012 6:51 AM
Posts: 65

Hi marieke,

In Kupang, I'm going to stay at the Hotel Maliana again. I stayed there last year and I liked it. The Lavalon Hostel round the corner is cheaper, but it can happen that (middle-aged Australian) drunks come home late and insist on being very noisy until 4 or 5 in the morning, so that you do not get any sleep when you want to get some sleep. Apparently, there is no staff there at night.

For the Maliana, see http://beang.webs.com.

putriduyung

Jun 20, 2012 7:23 AM
Posts: 684

Have never flown Susi, I'm actually planning a similar trip soon, but have decided not to fly with them...the alternative is taking a bus, motorbike or hiring a car (I'm taking a car)

In Kupang, I like the Pantai Timor hotel. Huge rooms, friendly staff and on the ocean side of the street with a nice open air restaurant that frequently hosts local weddings.

You can also ask the people in the development office what hotels they recommend and if they can help you with any arrangements.

marieke_

Jun 22, 2012 1:38 AM
Posts: 3

thank you both for the advice!
my local contact ensured me that Susi air is fine, so I think I will take the risk, since the road alternative takes many hours which I don't really have. If anyone has experience with this (both the flight and the bus/car option) I'd still really like to hear it.

thanks again, marieke

labu1985

Jun 23, 2012 6:44 AM
Posts: 1

I fly Susi a lot, and it is by far the safest option. The roads are usualy in a relatively bad state, not to mentioned some of the buses on the roads. So I, without a doubt chose to fly as it is way safer than driving in any case.
However, I do avoid Merpati. Eventhough they are cheaper than Susi, the safety record speaks for itself. Susi has never had any accidents on a passenger carrying flight.
This is the dry-season in Kupang, which can give you spectacular views of the amazing scenery of West Timor from the air :)

putriduyung

Jun 23, 2012 7:15 AM
Posts: 684

While Susi may not have had any accidents in passenger flights, they have had fatal crashes, most recently in April.

http://en.vivanews.com/news/read/307945-another-susi-air-aircraft-crashes-in-kutai

Not saying Susi is not a good option, but know about those crashes does give you a clearer picture.

marieke_

Jun 25, 2012 1:52 AM
Posts: 3

I had heard about the crashes with cargo planes... but am happy to hear positive news on Susi as well. And if the roads are indeed that bad, flying might be the best option. I have a tight schedule, so I decided to book the flight. Thanks for the advices!

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