transport

PELNI is the Indonesian Government-owned shipping line. They run a good, cheap and regular passenge service throughout Indonesian - including to Sumba at the port of Waingapu. They use large, modern ocean lines with a capacity of 1,000 ot 2,000 passengers. Class ekonomy is very cheap but hot, smoke-filled and noisy (just above the engine deck). Accomodation is dormetry style and you pay a bit extra for a matress - if you can get one at all. They sure make life easier it you can. For paying a bit more (even when the ship is underway) you can get a class cabin. These hold six, four ot two people and you get to eat resturant style rather than having food poked at you through a hole in the wall as in ekonimi. I can't find a PELNI home page so if you can, please let me know.
Busses on Sumba are all privately owned and fairly basic. There is a city service (bemo) only in Waingapu and Waikabubak.
There are no trains on Sumba. If you see one, you are eating the wrong kind of mushrooms!