Travel in Alor can be unpredictable during the stormy season. Low ceilings and high winds can keep aircraft on the ground and high seas might keep the ferrys in the port waiting for better weather.
Earlier in January the government stopped all travel by public boat or plane for a few days until a tropical storm spent it's energy and things calmed down again. There was one ferry lost and one aircraft.
I was hoping to take the ferry back to Kupang but it was cancelled due to high seas. It only costs 60,000 rupiah but I decided to get a flight at the cost of 400,000 rupiah plus fees which came out to 480,000 rupes.
My visa is running out of time so I decided to get in gear and leave the country. There was the possibility of zipping back to Dili and getting one there but I am ready to move on and head in a different direction for a while.
The airport is about a 20 minute scenic drive up the coast from Kalabahi. The Trans Nusa office is open 7 days a week and is located just up the street from the Pelangi Hotel. The Pelangi has a free pick up service from the airport to town but there is a 25,000 fee going back. I took an ojek.
My prefered place to stay in Kalabahi is the Hotel Adi Dharma near the harbor in the muslim district.
The terminal in Alor is under construction so a large tent is used for the check in and waiting lounge. There is a 10 kilo baggage limit but they seem to be flexible on that reg. The plane is lighter going back to Kupang because they don't refuel in Kalabahi. It is a speedy operation.
(Below is an Alor Princess waiting to greet a dignitary arriving from Kupang. What a lovely doll she was.)
The plane pulls up to the tent and the passengers disembark. The new group quickly gets on and takes whatever seat they want. The plane taxis out and takes off all in less than 15 minutes.
The trip to Kupang takes around 40 minutes. A taxi into town costs 50,000 rupes.
For budget places to stay try the Lavalon Guesthouse, Maliana Hotel, or Susi Hotel on Jalan Sumatera.
Trans Nusa
Jl. Jend. Sadirman No.100
Kalabahi Alor NTT
Tel 0386 21039,2222555
Fax. 0386 2222555
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