Sumba day 5: back to west and traveling as vegan

While we like the scenery of East of Sumba, we really don’t like the hotel. Our original plan was to stay 3 nights and then take flight on last day, which involves 4.5 hours drive before our flight. So we decided to move back to Suma hotel near the hotel where we stayed first two nights, better amenities, better food, and less driving on the travel day.

Our morning started with 8 miles run for me while Sofia biked by my side. We went back and forth on the 1km path with cows, goats, dogs, chickens, doing their morning things. It was a super pleasant run in rural Sumba.

I asked Sofia several times if she wanted to go back and every time she said she wanted to keep me company. So sweet.

The view is so peaceful and quiet. Although it was sunny, it was quite cool when we started.

then we embarked on our 5 hrs journey to the west, stopping for some walk to stretch our legs in the national park

a lunch break by the bamboo houses on the road, and stopped at a local spring to take a look of local life. The spring water goes to the rice field for irrigation, locals use it for laundry, bath, and play

the start of the spring is a cave

Lizzy loved watching the buffalo taking a baths

How hard is it to travel in rural Sumba being vegan? Overall, I didn’t find it hard as there were plenty of vegetables and fruits offered either at the hotels or at local fruits stands. I also came prepared with packets of instant oatmeal and protein powder, nuts bars, and non-diary milk.

Breakfasts are usually vegetables with rice

sometimes with fruits if they are good. I typically have 2-3 servings of this as breakfast

sweet glutinous rice and mung bean as breakfast dessert?!

For lunch, usually we have packed lunch from a local restaurant. The first few days they were no vegan option, so I just had plenty rice and/or snacks. For the last two days, this restaurant had many options so I got to have proper lunch.

plenty of vegetables with tofu

sample meal for the family: noodles, veggies, fried chicken. Every protein option here is fried.

I also got boiled corns on the streets and absolutely loved them. Even the girls love them, we are getting some to bring to Bali.

Dinner: the restaurants had at least few vegetables dishes in the morning, so I’d order a few to make it a meal, asking them to make it less oily and salty.

papaya leaves

stir fry vegetables with too much sauce but well… better than not having

morning glory

Overall, I didn’t have to worry what to eat. I came with the mindset to be flexible and go with the flow. If I can’t find vegan options, I’d eat whatever it is available. Fortunately, it was okay, and I didn’t starve. 🙂

For vegan readers, how do you prepare for travels? Do you have go-to snacks/meal ideas?