Kupang, dealing with Pelni.
 

Arrived in Kupang yesterday. Today,tried to find out information about Pelni boats and have many conflicting stories.Went up the hill to the Pelni office nobody seemed to be working. The AWU leaves for Ende. on 2/7/13. Is the AWU a drive on ferry?. I have been told that the bike will 1.Have to be crated....2.the bike will be lifted on board with slings. Any ideas on how to deal with Pelni, agent, tour office, ect. My Indonesian runs to a couple of words.
Thanks John.

I think the ferries have been a mess lately. We just got to Flores and are coming the other way from ende (last report the boat broke down) or larantuka. You might try to get to larantuka. Good luck & keep us posted

Hey John,

Check your emails...

I'm not sure about the Pelni ships... i didnt even find the office. I ended up down at another wharf where a different ferry company runs from Kupang to Rote, Suba and Flores (Larantuka). They also sail to Ende but on Thursday when i was there it was sailing to Larantuka. Cost was 180,000 for me and the bike. It was a shit fight getting a ticket and then also making sure you can actually get on board. They sell tickets but it doesn't guarantee a spot on the boat. The boats are ride on ride off barge style ships. They are slow, the trip took 14 hours but its a good experience. I cant remember the name of the port where they left from but i just asked locals around Kupang saying "Flores, Flores" and got steered to it.

Just came over on the ferry from Larantuka - they leave twice a week. Roll-on-roll-off-ferry - very chaotic and a mess, but apart from that uncomplicated. You can buy the tickets right at the ferry, but you have to be early - otherwise you won't find a place to sit down or sleep - go to the upper most deck - you can rent a matress. It's the best place on the boat - the rest is just a mess and every centimetre is covered with luggage, people, animals, boxes....

The Pelni ferries can't take the bikes - that's what they told us in Ende.

And btw: Larantuka is a much nicer place than Ende....

See you later John

Hey Heike,

I believe i nearly crossed paths with you. I had lunch yesterday at a place in Larantuka and the fellow running the place said there were a couple of bmw's come through the day before...
Would of been cool to say gday.. anyway, safe travels. The road up to Timor-Leste is great fun.

Thanks everyone for your help. I have the ferry sorted out and should be away to Florres tomorrow. Just noticed that the wind has picked up, the ferry will not sail if it is too windy. Just have to see what happens tomorrow.
Thanks again John

Haha, yes that must have been us :) it's a nice place, ask for the pork! and the coldest beer in town!

we met John here in Kupang - he already told us about the "fun" road to Dili...

safe riding!

Tonight in ended we were told the boat is broke down in Kupang. Had to check but we will make our way to Larantuka. Swiver, maybe we will cross paths:) we are 2 up on a yellow 800GS.

Heike, we will see you soon!

Si (& Jeff)

niello8,

I'm in larantuka now. I may cross paths with you. Be cool to say gday.

We are in maumere tonight, will arrive in Latantuka late morning...will you still be around?

was nice to meet you guys. hope the ferry works out OK for you both.

You wouldn't believe, we got to Larantuka around 11 and rolled right on the boat! 18 rough hours later we are in Kupang:) was nice to have a roadside chat!