Sempurna = perfection
Like Sydney, we’ve been struck with a large swell in Indonesia – a late-season spike. Rather than watch my kids try to paddle out in 8-10 foot slabs, we opted for a peaceful mountain day at a spectacular waterfall.
It’s like going back in time in Sumba, where the people live in small villages rather than urban centres. The kids roam free (device-free) and giggle all day. Most families are large and farming-based, working the rice fields.
Sumbanese are great at making stuff with their hands; they weave, carve and use all-natural materials. (it’s like rewinding before plastics were invented). Most locals I’ve talked to haven’t ever, or know of anyone, leaving the island – even over the ditch to Bali. One of our guides yesterday got car sick, as she’s barely been in a vehicle (Lisa is 19 yrs old!) – they walk everywhere or scooter.
There are lots of animal sacrifices and rituals that would blow your mind. The men walk around with a large machetes (The ‘kabeala) tucked into their pants – which can take a bit of adjusting.
The simple island life! Special thanks to Misch + Ro for the incredible hospitality at their new hotel on the beach – The Sanubari
:: uge
P.S. Bondi Aquabumps Gallery is open all weekend 10-6. See you there!
Won’t the Sanubari people, that you admire for their being untouched by modernity, not be touched/ totally changed by modernity because of that hotel that’s been built on it? And the advertising for it that you did by posting about it?
Hi Katina, Sanubari is a hotel not a village. Sanubari employs over 200 people, giving the local village a huge boost, as there was no work, other than farming before tourism. The people are so poor, they don’t live long…as they need medical assistance (diet etc). So I hear what you’re saying, I admire how they live without the modern trappings, but I do believe progress is good for the people. I do think it’s remoteness will keep it removed from being affected, like bali. There’s just not much infrastructure. I went to sumba 7 years ago, and posted, to be honest, not much has changed since! thanks for commenting. uge