Sumba Story Gathering Project And #TravelInTheTImeOfCorona - Part 1

Photo was taken when I was flying above East Java

A surprising opportunity knocked on my door a few months ago when Ridkey asked me to work on a Story Gathering project about renewable energy in Sumba island. I was hesitant at first, but Ridkey managed to convince me that Sumba was in a relatively safe zone. Ridkey was a colleague at the off-grid solar power plant project back in 2017-2018, so he knew I could survive in Sumba island. The project needs a videographer, so Ridkey paired me up with his junior who owns a production house, let's call him Bombom.

Long story short, Bombom and I got the project. We went to Sumba between Nov. 30 and 7 Dec. Here are some steps to take when flying domestically:

1. Check which test you should take in order to board the plane. During my travel period, the government required passengers to take rapid test.

2. If you take public transportation, such as airport bus, be sure to check the schedule because during the pandemic, all modes of public transportation limit their operational hours. For example, the airport bus now only runs between 2 am and 7 pm, previously it ran from 2.30 am to around 11 pm.

There is an empty seat to give space between bus passengers, but extra protection is never too much. I wore a surgical mask, a fabric mask and a face shield.

3. Get to the airport 2-3 hours earlier than your boarding time, because passengers should show the test result upon arriving at the airport. I arrived at the airport at 3 am, and the queue line was already more than 10 meters!

4. When traveling with a transit, always maintain social distance at the transit airport. Check the capacity of the eatery before ordering food/drink.

Kedai Kopi Sigli in I Gusti Ngurah Rai airport, Bali

 

5.  Basically, just follow all health protocols. Wear mask, wash hands regularly and practice social distancing.

Upon arrival at Umbu Mehang Kunda airport in Waingapu, all passengers are advised to wash hands. The airport staffs welcome us in hazmat suits, checked the test result and asked for our cellphone number and other informations.

6. Check on the requirement in each region. For example, in East Sumba, the rapid test is valid for 10 days and I should take a new test if I stay for more than 10 days. Otherwise, we could fly back using the test result we used for departing.

Stay tune for Part 2.