Indonesia - Sumba - Tarimbang - Martens Homestay - April 2010

Mobile - 085281165137


Cost - 150 000 rupiah per night with three meals. Coffee is available all day.

Marten’s is run by Marten, who is a friendly guy. His wife runs the shop at the front of the ‘resort’. There are a number of people working there but nobody seemed to be doing nothing much.

The car/driver from Waingapu is 650 000 rupiah for a three hour journey which is quite rugged in the last hour.

On arrival, it took awhile to get the room organised. Marten collects your money, etc and you each count and write in on a piece of paper and sign. He then puts it in safe keeping. No money is needed while here. Things bought in the shop are written in a book and you pay at the end of the stay.

The guest rooms have a small veranda and room with a thatched roof on stilts. The bed is a mouldy mattress on the floor with a mouldy pillow. This is covered by a mosquito net. Nails are the coat hangers around the room. When these rooms are full guests stay in the staff rooms.

There is a shared bathroom and toilet.

There is a large entertainment area with a few chairs, lounges and tables. There is one power socket which works when the generator is working. Locals come in the evening to recharge their mobiles. The meals are served in this room and guests eat in groups of four sharing a number of Indonesian dishes.

The staff is reasonably friendly and helpful to a certain degree.

Advice

Buy these things in Waingapu

A mattress, a pillow and fruit, especially, oranges

Get a lightweight hammock in Bali about 100 000 to 120 000 rupiah

Torch