Katewel (Katewela) is a tiny coastal Bugis settlement on the north coast of West Sumba, built around a muddy, mangrove-filled, crocodile-infested estuary. The beach here isn’t much, and you can’t swim (did we mention the crocodiles?), but Katewel is worth a visit to see the traditional salt making.
-
Ad Visit Bali and Java on this explorer trip
22 days. From US$2,825
Splendid sunsets reflected in the mudflats are worth a snap or two as well. Sea salt production can be found in several areas in the drier parts of Indonesia — we’ve witnessed it before on the east coast of Bali, but here the process is a little different.
This is what it is all about. Photo: Sally Arnold
Folk in Katewel import bags of salt infused sand from neighbouring Sumbawa, which seemed odd to us as they have both sand and sea water right at their doorstep. They then processes the salty sand by filtering through local salty seawater to produce a very salty brine. The brine is then “cooked” or spread over large metal trays on driftwood fires. The producers scrape the salt crystals and stir the mixture as the water evaporates.
In Bali they rely on the sun, but here production is much quicker and can continue through the wet season. This method produces many kilograms of salt at a time, and some huts have two batches on the go. It seems to be a booming business as the thatch salt huts make up a small village metres from the shore, in front of the village proper.
A mosque with a view. Photo: Sally Arnold
The huts are unbearably hot and smokey inside (for us). Most other industry in Katewel is based around fishing as the area is too dry for much agriculture. A picturesque tin-roof mosque sits on the shore end of the town. Katewel is about 18 kilometres northeast of Waitabula and borders Mananga Amba Beach.
If you enjoyed this article and would like to support independent travel writing on Southeast Asia, please subscribe to Travelfish—it’s just A$35 per year (less than A$1 per week)!
By
Sally Arnold
.
Last updated on 22nd November, 2016.
Start planning your holiday today
Sent every Monday, our newsletter is full of travel advice, news & special deals. Read past issues.
Location map for Katewel
/119.34569889,-9.37786618,16/960x400.png?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoidHJhdmVsZmlzaCIsImEiOiJSdGI5endFIn0.NFfNjYzAAn9OBSxs64ptJA)
Popular attractions in Waitabula
A selection of some of our favourite sights and activities around Waitabula.
Best places to stay in Waitabula
A selection of some of our favourite places to stay in Waitabula.
What next?
Browse our independent reviews of places to stay in and around Waitabula.
Read up on where to eat on Waitabula.
Check out our listings of other things to do in and around Waitabula.
Read up on how to get to Waitabula.
Do you have travel insurance yet? If not, find out why you need it.
Planning on riding a scooter in Waitabula? Please read this.
Browse tours in Indonesia with Tourradar.