TARIMBANG
COSTS
Marthen’s car from Waingapu
to Tarimbang was 800 000R. Same price back.
The large 'luxury' room was 800
000R with three meals.
THE STAY
We stayed at Tarimbang
while we waited for our flight back to Bali.
Marthen picked us up at 10
am and then we got water, fruit and cereal and drove to Tarimbang. The drive
was very windy and I was feeling like crap. Eventually, we arrived at Tarimbang
settled into the ‘luxury’ room, had lunch and then I had a sleep.
I woke feeling heaps
better so Jacinta and I had a late afternoon walk along the beach. It was so
quiet, serene and pretty.
The next morning, I walked
down to the beach and paddled out for a surf. The waves were good fun with sets
at head height. A boat was there with surfers but there was no hassle as they
were a nice bunch of guys from Manly.
Later Jacinta and I had a
walk down to the beach. We made a sun shelter with my sarong using four sticks
of bamboo and using our thongs to anchor them on the top of the poles. It was
very effective. I sat in the shade while
Jacinta baked.
The rest of the afternoon
was relaxing but I was gradually feeling more and more sick from the virus –
runny nose, headache, blocked sinuses and generally feeling like crap. This was
the story for me for the rest of the time in Tarimbang. I rested a lot and
spent morning/afternoon time on the beach with Jacinta. No more surfing the
rest of the stay here for me.
We had a few walks around the village. Life runs at a slow pace here.
NEW ARRIVALS
Later in the afternoon two
more surfers arrived. Roger from Denmark in Western Australia and Peter from
Ayre Peninsula in South Australia. They were both nice guys with some good
stories.
Peter had done a lot of
boat travel in Indonesia over the years on his own back and later on
snorkeling/surfing boat charters. He especially recommended Raja Ampat and
Banda Islands for snorkeling.
Roger was an electrician
who knew Lorenzo who I have met in Balian a number of times.
THE LOCALS
Petros
When Petros was eight
years old, he fell from a coconut tree. His injuries resulted in broken hip and leg. Of course this changed
the direction of his life. His ongoing injury was a severe limp that made him
unable to work. He was poor with little chance of making money and so he had no
wealth to pay a bride price. Petros is now 65 with teeth showing the
deformations of betel juice usage. He survived by learning English and
providing services for tourists – coconuts, hiking in the area and general
information. A lot of the information he provides is for free. A nice guy who
is more than ready to share a good laugh.
Marthen
Marthen smiles and when he
laughs it is more of a giggle. He is ready for a chat but put a bit of salt on
the stories. Well, the stories are good but his role in them leaves out his
vested interests which plays a strong role in the things he becomes involved
in. He tells his stories like he was hard done by or was the village hero.
Other people have told me
that he blocks any neighbours from showing touristic enterprise unless he gets
a cut or it may take money from his business/es.
My thoughts – I like him,
I’m open with my dealings with him but I also remain wary and double check any
agreements I make with him such as cost of room, transport, etc.
Cindy
Cindy is Marthen’s wife.
She will lie straight face to you. You ask her in Waingapu if the ‘luxury’ room
is available and she says ‘yes’ but on arrival someone is already staying
there. Could it be a language problem,
no, she is quite aware that she is lying. I really don’t know why she does that
as people are going to come no matter what room is available.
She likes to collect the
room rent in advance for the length of your stay. As rooms are of different
prices it is best to give her the money for one or two days only.
My thoughts – I like
Cindy. She will get things done if you ask and is much better to deal with by
being up front.
Marthen and Cindy
Together they play the
good cop, bad cop routine and they do it well! Beware brother! Beware! Ha ha.
.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment