[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” separator_top_type=”none” separator_top_height=”50px” separator_top_angle_point=”50″ separator_bottom_type=”none” separator_bottom_height=”50px” separator_bottom_angle_point=”50″ style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px 0px 15px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]Tribal Weaving of the Lesser Sunda Islands with David & Sue Richardson
The diverse Lesser Sunda Islands, stretching eastwards from Bali, offer the most amazing landscapes and a glorious cornucopia of weaving for textile lovers. We will enjoy the luxury of cruising effortlessly from island to island, crossing a rugged, isolated region where travel by land can be difficult. Along the way there will be time to enjoy the amazing volcanic scenery, meet the villagers, visit traditional markets, buy local textiles, swim and snorkel over psychedelic coral reefs, relax and have fun.
Safari covers Maumere, Lembata, Alor, Timor, Savu and Komodo[/cs_text][x_custom_headline level=”h2″ looks_like=”h3″ accent=”false”]Itinerary[/x_custom_headline][x_slider animation=”slide” slide_time=”7000″ slide_speed=”1000″ slideshow=”false” random=”false” control_nav=”false” prev_next_nav=”true” no_container=”false” ][x_slide]
Day 1
After arriving on the morning flight from Denpasar to Maumere via Waingapu, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Ombak Putih for lunch.
We will visit a nearby fishing village, built over the water on stilts. In the evening we will relax over cocktails while David and Sue give an introductory talk about the culture and textiles of the local Sikka region before enjoying dinner on deck.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 2
We will disembark at Maumere for a short drive to the Wairkoja Friday market. We will then drive up into the scenic Iwang Geté highlands to visit a small village where we will be welcomed with music and dancing.
After lunch on board we will head out to Ledalero for a brief visit to the oldest museum on Flores, the Blikon Blewut Museum.
Our final stop will be at a second Sikka.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 3
This morning we will pass Larantuka. As we go ashore we will be welcomed by local Lamaholot villagers.
We will then be guided around this colourful well-kept village before returning to the Ombak Putih for lunch. After lunch we will sail to some small islands close to the northeast coast of Adonara Island for swimming, snorkelling and beachcombing.
We will moor nearby overnight.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 4
Today we will arrive in Lembata and drop anchor on the north coast below the towering active volcano of Ile Api.
Later, during lunch, the boat will cruise across Waienga Bay to another small rarely visited weaving village and a nearby location for a refreshing swim or snorkel.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 5 & 6
After arriving in Kalabahi Bay on Alor Island we will make an early start, first making a short stop at a local market.
We will then head east before driving up into the forest to the remarkably situated village of Takpala.
As we enjoy our lunch on deck we will sail out of Kalabahi Bay into the Pantar Strait, heading for the small weaving village of Uma Pura on Ternate Island.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 7
This morning we will cruise into Labala Bay on the southern side of Lembata and go to the unique whaling village of Lamalera.
After visiting a local school we board the Ombak Putih to watch the whale hunters.
After making our farewells we stop for a short swim before cruising due south across the Savu Sea towards Kupang in West Timor.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 8
We will disembark at the harbour. We will then drive to the Museum of Nusa Tenggara Timur.
After this we will head south through stunning scenery into the territory of the Amarasi tribe. Returning to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon we will visit a village occupied by members of the Helong tribe.
In the evening we will cruise towards the tiny remote island of Savu.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 9
This morning we will go ashore at Napae. A very scenic drive in trucks will bring us to our next group of weavers who live in a small hilltop village with wonderful views down to the coast.
After lunch on board we’ll go ashore again – this time to be welcomed on the beach by local dancers and ikat-clad horsemen.
This afternoon’s destination will be the ritual village of Namata.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 10
Today we will explore the small island of Raijua. After we will visit a local weaving.
After a performance of traditional dancing we will walk to a traditional fenced village. Returning to the boat for lunch we can enjoy a relaxing afternoon swimming or snorkelling and, weather permitting, a memorable evening beach barbeque.
Overnight we make a short crossing over the Savu Sea.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 11
Arriving on the eastern coast of Sumba we will land on the sandy beach at Melolo where local buses will take us to the village of Umabara.
Our next destination is the Royal village of Parai Yawangu. Back on board we enjoy a late lunch while the Ombak Putih cruises north towards Waingapu.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 12
We will leave the harbour to visit a small workshop. On our way back to the harbour, we will stop at the cathedral.
After lunch we will drive out of town through paddy fields to a rarely visited weaving village to be greeted by ikat-clad warriors on horseback.
Dinner party with the captain and crew, who will entertain us on deck with traditional Indonesian songs and dances.[/x_slide][x_slide]
Day 13
On our final morning we will moor close to the starkly beautiful island, short trek in the Komodo National Park.
Back on board we will cruise to a small island for our final snorkel before heading for Labuan Bajo where we will have lunch before transferring to the nearby airport for our late afternoon flight back to Bali.[/x_slide][/x_slider][cs_text]The route and dives are always organized according to the weather conditions, the currents and tides.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]