Kupang: A Stupid Decision and the Terrible Consequences

By TravelWiseJul 2, 2012 08:30 AMOther
Share:
Kupang: A Stupid Decision and the Terrible Consequences
Kupang: A Stupid Decision and the Terrible Consequences

It was in the taxi leaving the airport when I first realised we’d not landed in Flores, but Kupang (where is Kupang and what to do in Kupang?). There I was with a guidebook on my lap scanning the Flores section for suitable hotels when the driver started talking to me:

Me: We want to go to the Permah Sari Hotel.

Taxi Driver: Where is that?

Me: On Jalan Sudirman.

Taxi Driver: I don’t know that road.

Me: Sighing (another taxi driver who doesn’t know where he’s going). Look, I’ll show you on the map.

Taxi Driver starts smiling

We’d landed in Kupang, the capital of the Indonesian side of the island of Timor, not Flores. I had made a beginners mistake. In my rush to go to Borobudur Temple I had left the travel agents without checking the ticket. Maybe it was because my friend had ordered the tickets for me, and I’d clearly asked to go to Flores. Surely the travel agent would know where Flores is right? We were even speaking the same language, so it’s not as if he could blame the language barrier…

For my Mum and I, dealing with my stupidity was all part of travelling. I’d long ago learnt how to adapt to new situations and unexpected events caused by my inability to organise myself, Kupang was just my latest f@%#k up! For my brother, the conscientious and organised person that he is, landing in Kupang was a sign that I should never be involved in planning any events in his life ever again.

Despite my stupidity we managed to have a good time. The first question we had to solve after finding a hotel, was what to do in Kupang? The answer to this question came in two parts.

The best thing about Kupang for me was the fish market. Local fishermen bring fresh catch straight to the market, which is then transferred via a BBQ to your plate. The food is simple, sweet soy sauces and spicy sambals added to whatever you pick from the stalls. Cheap delicious food, it’s hard to go wrong.

The second thing we decided to do was leave the Kupang and head for Roti; a small island about one hour’s ferry ride off the coast of Kupang. This was a great choice as Roti is very relaxed and lying on a beautiful sunny beach was far more interesting than the bustling streets of Kupang. Looking back I wish I had just gone to Nusa Penida instead of Kupang.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
Man holding a protest sign during a daytime demonstration, facing a journalist in a crowd

Air Travel Alert: Strike Set to Disrupt Northern Italy Airports on June 20

Jun 19, 2025 04:22 AM
Person photographing the sunset over a calm lake in Finland during summer

Finland’s Midnight Sun Transforms Summer Travel Experiences

Jun 19, 2025 02:37 AM

Wizz Air Reopens Suceava Base Opening New Direct Flights for Travelers

Jun 18, 2025 23:47 PM

New Opening in Covent Garden Blends London Setting with New York Flavour

Jun 18, 2025 21:24 PM
Volcanic eruption sending thick ash clouds into the sky over a green mountainside

Mount Lewotobi Eruption Disrupts Flights to Bali, Lombok, and Labuan Bajo

Jun 18, 2025 19:31 PM
Modern hotel bedroom with stylish lighting and cozy decor

Marriott to Broaden African Footprint with Dozens of New Hotels by 2027

Jun 18, 2025 17:49 PM
easyJet aircraft in flight against clear blue sky

easyJet Expands UK Winter Flights with 22 New Direct European Routes

Jun 18, 2025 15:26 PM
Empty interior of a public bus with yellow poles and blue seats

Public Transport Updated for Blenheim Concertgoers

Jun 18, 2025 13:53 PM
Emirates aircraft flying against a blue sky

Emirates Launches A350 Flights to Lyon as Part of Fleet Shift in France

Jun 17, 2025 23:43 PM

New Wyndham Days Inn Opens in Shantou, Increasing Hotel Availability Beyond China’s Largest Cities

Jun 17, 2025 21:29 PM

New Iceland Flights from UK Boost Winter Travel Options for 2026

Jun 17, 2025 19:36 PM
Modern hotel room with large bed and city view

New Hotel to Open Steps from Uppsala’s Landmarks and Station

Jun 17, 2025 17:41 PM
Modern bedroom with large windows and city view at sunset

New Hotel in Central Kathmandu Reshapes the City’s Travel Map

Jun 17, 2025 13:27 PM
Cathay Pacific aircraft at gate in Hong Kong International Airport

New Nonstop Flights Open Direct Path from Hong Kong to Munich

Jun 17, 2025 11:34 AM
A panoramic view of Hong Kong’s skyline and harbor from Victoria Peak at sunset

Hong Kong’s Hiking Trails Open New Paths for Active City Exploration

Jun 16, 2025 23:44 PM

New Lufthansa App Tools Let Travelers Bypass Airport Hassles

Jun 16, 2025 21:21 PM

Barcelona’s Poblenou Transforms: From Factories to Creative Hubs

Jun 16, 2025 19:39 PM
AirAsia aircraft in flight against a cloudy sky

Daily Flights Now Connect Chiang Mai Taipei and Sapporo Opening Up Fresh Travel Paths

Jun 16, 2025 17:46 PM
Modern guest room interior at Avani+ Barbarons with wood accents and workspace

Renovated Avani+ Barbarons Reopens, Expanding Travel Options on Mahé

Jun 16, 2025 15:23 PM
Person speaking through megaphone during a strike near a street

Finnair Cancels Over 140 Flights Amid Ground Staff Strike at Helsinki Airport

Jun 16, 2025 13:37 PM
Beachgoers crowd a popular beach on a Balearic Island under a sunny sky

Europe Implements New Measures to Manage Tourism Impact

Jun 15, 2025 19:48 PM
Crowded airport gate area with passengers waiting for boarding

Qatar Airways changes booking rules for flights through the Middle East in June

Jun 15, 2025 17:26 PM

Late-night trains added after Sam Fender gigs in Newcastle

Jun 14, 2025 22:36 PM

Traffic Warning for Edinburgh Flyers During Highland Show

Jun 14, 2025 20:49 PM
Cathay Pacific airplane on runway near water, preparing for takeoff

Cathay Group Expands to 100 Destinations, Opening New Travel Opportunities for Passengers

Jun 14, 2025 18:33 PM
Construction vehicle working on railway tracks near stationary train

Summer Rail Suspension in Sardinia to Affect Travel Between Key Towns

Jun 14, 2025 16:54 PM