Waerebo Village in West part of Flores Island Indonesia

Friday, October 7, 2011, 14:15
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Waerebo a isolated village in the western south of Flores island Indonesia. A few months ago, they built another 3 units of new circular traditional house called “Mbaru Niang”.

One of the new traditional houses, located on the front, it is only use for tourists who come to visit Waerebo village then stay there for one or two nights. Cone-shaped houses which have four to eight rooms, every room occupied by one family in the ethnic.

4 Comments on “Waerebo Village in West part of Flores Island Indonesia”

Jodie Leitner wrote on 15 January, 2012, 13:05
We recently visited Waerebo Village and stayed overnight which was a very nice experience and everyone was very friendly until in the morning where they insisted we pay 300 000 rp per person for the hospitality. We choose to stay in the communal house with the rest of the family and not in the tourist house. I find this an absolute rip off to sleep on the floor and a meal of rice and vegetables, we never paid as much in top hotels and therefore this is typical example of taking advantage of tourists. I therefore find very less traditional at all about this village when they are so obviously money orientated, and will let other travel forums know.
Mr. Mark Brown wrote on 16 January, 2012, 13:48
Dear Jodie Leitner.

Thanks to living a comments. Here I would like to tell you some information about Wae Rebo village according to your visiting. This is kind of your contribution wherever you visit around the world not only at Wae Rebo village. If you traveler, you know very much the experience before. During traveling of course spend money and it is normal. I have question: How much your money for all people at Wae Rebo community? I am focusing talking about your budgets spent at the village. If you compare with star hotel in Labuan Bajo, your money that spent at Wae Rebo village can’t stay even for half night. By the way there is some problem of you when you before do traveling:
- Real information: It is very important to get any information before visit a destination. If you get clear information there is not reason that you get misinformation on the destination that going to do.
- Respectful: Money can’t compare with service everywhere you go. On your visiting you never respect to all Flores peoples as own of the land including information to local people in the town before you do specialized to local community at Wae Rebo. If you respect to local peoples you don’t have problem any way to go. Local information is main thing before you do something. I have been in Labuna Bajo and Flores Island. I got a lot of free information in the town of Labuan Bajo to get any places in Flores Island even i didn’t take their service.
- Organizing: This is other solution before do something with local agent/travel company. This is making all traveler easier to a destination. Spend a little money is not problem but get balance with some service. You can’t get free to travel. Rp.300.000,-…IDR/person real or not no body knows or $32 for all community at Wae Rebo is normal they charge for other peoples/tourist even domestic or overseas. The money is not for top of hotel in Labuan Bajo, just for small scale hotel without dinner. I always spend 4 times of yours per night during my traveling without dinner. I am not rich man but that is my traveling for local contribution.
- Suggestion: If you have low budget to travel pleased get information before to do something so you have not misunderstanding with local community. So you don’t tell local community with your money. Which one is money oriented local community or you? I think you make money oriented because you talk about money after you enjoy and taken their service. I hope you understand what I am talking about for you other traveling.

Best regards.
Mark B.
Imelda Akmal wrote on 8 March, 2012, 11:30
I had been to Wae Rebo and had nice experience without any hassle. Perhaps because it was organized properly by the group before we go. Mark quite right, we should prepare before visited any destination, including remote area. Remote doesn’t meant cheap. In remote area especially in Indonesia, would be more expensive if we compare with urban.

Reaching Wae Rebo we should climb the hill for 4-6 hours. Usually there are porter help visitor to carry their stuff. The last village that have transport is Denge which 6 hours by car from Labuan Bajo Airport. Meaning: reach Wae rebo at least need 12 hours, that 6 hours by foot. In this situation, all kind of material such as kerosine for cook, salt, sugar, and any other basic needs become very expensive. So, remote doesn’t mean cheap or even being remote is very expensive.

But, for me, experiencing Wae Rebo was magnificent. We could learnt how one of the most sustainable kampong in the world make a living and how they happy in simple way.

Best.
Imelda Akmal
Pious holy wrote on 30 March, 2012, 15:25
I am Manggarainess by this forum I would like to tell for every visitors who want to visit remote area in Flores, especially in Manggarai, that you have to get details information before you do traveling it is you can contact local tour operator in Labuan bajo and they can organize for your tour and to ensure your tour comfortable and there is no misunderstanding between you and local people.Local tour operator looking forward to welcoming you to our regency.