Lake Kaco: Gleaming Clear Lake in the Kerinci Seblat National Park

Deep inside the tropical rainforests of the Kerinci Seblat National Park, an exceptional beauty radiates from an enchanting lake with water as clear as the purest crystal. The lake is so transparent that it earned the local name of Lake Kaco, or in English simply meaning the Glass Lake.  The lake is located at Sempur Village, Kerinci Regency, the province of Jambi.

Lake Kaco is situated approximately 1,289 meters above sea level and measures about 30 m by 30 m in total  area covered. What makes this Lake exceptional is its crystal clear blue water which  contrasts beautifully with the dark green foliage of the surrounding trees. There is no actual account of the lake’s depth, however one can definitely observe thousands of endemic Semah fish swimming at various depths.

As the sun sets over the horizon and darkness takes over, Lake Kaco presents its magical wonders and radiates bright gleaming lights, especially at full moon. This beautiful phenomenna attracts many visitors to camp here during full moon to experience one of nature's greatest features.

A number of scientists and researchers have conducted scientific researches here  to uncover the mystifying phenomena of Lake Kaco, as to  its luminous blue water and its unidentified depth. Researches who dived into  the lake  said that most of the oxygen in their tanks was already depleted before they reached the lake's  floor.

 While science has yet to find the  answer to  this mystery, local legend and folklore may provide a bit of explanation on  the wonders of lake Kaco.

Legend has it that once upon a time a beautiful princess lived by the lake and attracted all young men in the area to wed her. Obsessed by her beauty, these infatuated youths gave diamonds and all kinds of precious gemstones and other gold pieces to Raja Gagak, father of the princess.

However, obsessed by greed, Raja Gagak violated his own daughter and  drowned the princess into the lake together with all diamonds and gemstones given to him.

Get There

From Jambi City,  capital of Jambi Province, it will take approximately 8 to 10 hours' drive to the town of Sungaipenuh in the  Kerinci Regency. From Sungaipenuh it is another 90 minuteszk drive to the entrance of Lake Kaco.

There are a number travel services that serve the route of Jambi-Sungapienuh. If you want to try  public transport, there are minibuses from Sungaipenuh town to Lempur Village. However these minibuses only operate to 15.00 Western Indonesia Time.

The road to such exceptional beauty also presents challenges since you have to walk for about 4 hours from Lempur Village across the Kerinci Seblat national Park to Lake Kaco. However your fatigue will be accompanied by amazing panoramic sceneries, butterflies, birds, and other beautiful creatures of the wild, as well as the sounds of nature. Once you reach the destination, all your tiredness will certainly  be well earned.

To Eat

In the town of Sungaipenuh there are a number of restaurants offering various kinds of Sumatran food. Among these is the Gulai Ikan Semah which is made from an endemic fish of Kerinci, the Semah fish, which  dwells in Lake Kaco.

Tips

nticipate trekking over damp and muddy terrain as you make your trip to Lake Kaco since it is located in tropical rainforests which are constantly wet, and become worse during the wet season.

Look out for leeches and thorns on various plants as you make your way through the forest .It is advised to wear short pants to easily see if a leech has gripped your legs.

Use appropriate and comfortable shoes or other footwear since the track is quite rough.

Don’t forget to bring a raincoat since the weather here is  unpredictable.

To Buy

Kerinci Regency is famous for its cinnamon and potatoes. These two ingredients are turned into a delicious snacks and drinks called Dodol Kentang (Potato) and cinnamon syrup. These unique treats of Kerinci can be found in many shops along the Padang-Sungaipenuh main road.

To Stay

There are no inns or homestays at Lempur village, your only accommodation options are available at Sungapenuh Town. Among these are
Hotel Kerinci
Phone: +62 748 324 459
Hotel Jaya Wisata
Phone: +62 748 21221

Indonesia Travel

Surfing Kampar River’s stunning Bono Tidal Bore

Over View

Only recently discovered by the international tidal river surfing community, the Bono Tidal Bore by the estuary of the Kampar river in the Riau Province is drawing surfing communities from around the world to this amazing Indonesian pororoca. 

In February 2013, tidal bore surfer champion Steve King, who already holds two world records for long distance surf rides, broke his own Guinness World Record that he made on the Severn river in England, by  riding an incredible  20.65 km (or 12.8 miles) in 1 hour, 4 minutes on the Bono bore of the Kampar river on  10-13 February 2013 (For details click our News: UK’s Steve King breaks world record for longest, continuous bore ride on Riau’s Kampar River)

Kampar is a long river that rushes down from the Bukit Barisan mountain range that forms the spine of the island of Sumatra along its west coast. The river then meanders through the Riau province, to finally pour out in the Malacca Straits, on the east coast of Sumatra.  Along its long course the river dvides itself into two large branches known as the Kampar Kanan (the right branch of Kampar) and Kampar Kiri (its left branch).  They then converge at Langgar in the district of Pelalawan at Kampar’s estuary. Here they are joined by many other rivers causing Kampar to funnel out into a wide river mouth. At each high tide, high waves from the sea flow in and meet the down stream current of the Kampar. Where the two opposing energies meet, - and furthermore, caused by the funnel shape of the river, -   Kampar’s phenomenal tidal bores emerge, rushing deep inland reaching to over 60 km. upriver. 

These tidal bores are known locally as “Bono”, which rush in with loud roaring sound at a speed of 40 kilometers an hour.  The surf on the river can rise as high as 4 to 6 meters, at times creating barrels, the darling of surfers.

Best site to surf by the village of Teluk Meranti, although there are other spots like Tanjung Sebayang, Tanjung Pungai, and Pulau Muda, all in the district of Pelalawan.

Although quite used to the phenomenon, local inhabitants are mostly scared when the Bono appears, which they believe are spirits of the Seven Ghosts. Many boats have sunk in this river when caught in the bore.

To Do

At the moment, those who travel to Kampar are mostly avid surfers, eager to catch and conquer Kampar’s awesome tidal waves.

Surfers coming here for the first time to Kampar need to know that waves on the river behave differently than in the open sea.  Because of the strength of the oncoming tide, currents that rush upriver will cause waves from both the right and the left sides after hitting both river embankments, next to streaming in directly from the center of the river mouth.

The river and the banks are said to be inhabited by crocodiles and snakes. While crocodiles are mostly found higher upstream, it is wise to beware of these predators when surfing on the river. Snakes, nonetheless, are around but most are non-poisonous and are of the constrictor kind, like boas and pythons.

Taking these challenges in mind, it is wise to use a speedboat that is best adaptable to the river’s conditions.  There are speedboats availabe in the town of Teluk Meranti, but according to experts and those experienced, they are not quite right, nor sufficently agile to help in emergencies.

Therefore, when surfing on the Kampar it is best to use an experienced company or organization that knows local conditions.

As travel to Teluk Meranti usually passes Pekanbaru, you can find a number of attractions around the city and its surroundings. 

Other activities that are fun to do when you are not surfing is rent a motorbike and scour the countryside to watch activities of the village.

Get There

To get to Teluk Meranti one must travel through Pekanbaru, capital of the province of Riau.  As a busy business airport, Pekanbaru is served from most major cities in Indonesia, most often from Jakarta, Medan and Batam.

Internationally, Pekanbaru is served from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, by Air Asia. It takes some 4 to 7 hours by car from Pekanbaru north to Teluk Meranti. There are car rental companies in Pekanbaru.

The ride from Pekanbaru to Pangkalan Kerinci lasts 1.5 hours, then from here to Teluk Meranti takes another 4 hours. Alternatively you can take a speedboat from Pangkalan Kerinci to Pulau Muda or Teluk Meranti, which takes around 4.5 hours.

Whereas, when you travel from or through Singapore, the journey to Teluk Meranti  is by sea through a rather arduous route.  From Singapore’s Ferry Terminal take a boat to Sekupang in Batam, then connect with a ferry to Tanjung Batu, in the Karimun islands, where you can find ferries to take you to Teluk Meranti.

As Teluk Meranti has only recently started to receive tourists, there are no large hotels here as yet. There are homestays, rooms available at houses of locals that are rented out to visitors. Most popular is the “Mega Lestari” a Bed and Breakfast type of inn that has 8 rooms. It is clean but has no air-conditioning. Rooms have fans. 

Across the road are small eateries where you can find Indonesian dishes, like fried rice, noodles, fried or barbecued fish or chicken, some vegetables and mineral water. 

For more information and booking, check : www.bonosurf.com

Indonesia Travel

Lampung Museum : Traces of the Past

Over View

Lampung Museum is the only museum in Lampung Province, the southernmost province on the island of Sumatra, as well as a significant monument amongst the Lampung community. It is strategically located just 15 minutes from the heart of Lampung’s capital city, Bandar Lampung.

With the use of Lampung’s distinct architectural style, the museum is a path to retracing the past through an extensive display of prehistoric artifacts, cultural relics as well as the flora and fauna which are typically found in Lampung. Antique ceramics from other countries such as China and Siam are also among the Lampung Museum’s collection. Based on the inventory from 2011, the museum holds a collection of over 4,700 items. These are divided into 10 groups which are the items related to geography, biology, ethnography, history, numismatics, phylogy, ceramics, fine arts and technology.

The largest part of the collection is dedicated to ethnography, which is the study of culture. So far, there are over 2,000 objects in this category which includes objects that were once used in everyday life and various items characteristic of both the past and present Lampung culture.

The Lampung Museum began its construction in 1975, holding its groundbreaking three years later in 1978. Its grand opening was held many years later on 24 September 1988, where it was inaugurated by the Minister of Education and Culture of the time, Prof Dr. FuadHasan. The inauguration coincided with the commemoration of International Literacy Day which was centered in PKOR Way Halim.

Lampung Museum
Jl .ZainalArifin No.PagarAlam .64 ,
Meneng building , Bandar Lampung
Tel . : 62 - 721-783688
Fax : 62 - 721-701164

To Do

Lampung Museum is a cultural attraction and functions as a destination for education, history, research and recreation.

From your first step onto the museum grounds, a row of cannons line the building’s courtyard, keeping guard over its compounds. These antique cannons are survivors from colonial times and are one of the prime icons of the museum. Replicas of traditional stilted houses also rise from the courtyard, built in such a fashion as a means of protecting the homeowner from wild animals.

Also in the museum’s front square are large iron balls which are synonymous with the historic Lampung transmigration project of 1953-1956, that resettled thousands of people from crowded Java to then uncultivated lands on Sumatra. These huge metal spheres were essential items during the resettlement at East Lampung, North Raman, Purbolinggo, Seputih Banyak and Seputih Raman as they were tools to clear unwanted rubble and shrubbery and flatten the land that would soon become the location for the new communities.

The cultural objects displayed in the museum represent Lampung’s two dominant indigenous ethnic groups; the SaiBathin (Peminggir) and Pepadun. Each of these groups holds their own unique traditions, rituals and customs, as well as utensils used in such customs. The display shows all tools used within the rituals surrounding a person’s life in the Lampung community. It begins with the items used in birth celebrations, on to growing of the first teeth, the transition into adulthood, marriage and finally ceremonies regarding death.

Another hall exhibits elephants and tigers and other fauna native to Sumatra. Nearby, a diorama depicts a miniature scene of the spectacularly devastating eruption of Mount Krakatoa in 1883. Along another hallway lies a display of items taken from various archaeological sites dating back to life in the Neolithic era such as statues and menhirs.

The museum’s collection also includes important historic objects from the ancient kingdom of Sriwijaya. Remains of this kingdom include ancient manuscripts, statues, armor of the royal guards, custom clothing, ceramics, jewelry and the daily currency of that day.

Also stored in the museum are weapons and other significant objects which were used by the Lampung Hero, RadinInten and his descendants.

In summary, the museum contains a wide variety of things to see ranging from relics of prehistoric times, to the Hindu – Buddhist era, to the arrival of Islam, colonialism, and finally, post-independence. In addition to this collection, the museum is also a center for the arts, sometimes hosting events and shows to exhibit the tradition music and dances of Lampung.

Get There

The closest Airport is the Raden Inten II Airport in the city of Bandar Lampung. This is a domestic only airport, serving Jakarta, Bandung and Batam.

The Lampung Museum is located approximately 5 kilometers north of Tandjungkarang, the central area of Bandar Lampung. It is easily accessible by rental car, public transport or motorcycle.

Indonesia Travel

Mamuju: capital of West Sulawesi, a young Province in Indonesia

Overview

Once forming part of the vast South Sulawesi Province, the province of West Sulawesi was not officially formed until 5th October 2004. Along with the establishment of the new province, a capital was chosen as the center of government activities, which fell on the little coastal town of Mamuju, which lies most central in this tall shaped province. Not only does it serve as the center of government, Mamuju also acts as the main hub to explore the hidden beauty of West Sulawesi.

Although it is the capital of South Sulawesi Province, the town of Mamuju is not an autonomous town and still lies under the administration of the Mamuju Regency. Situated strategically between Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi, and Makassar, capital of South Sulawesi, Mamuju has grown into an economic bridge between the two cities. Flanked by a coastal area and a mountain range, the town is highlighted with green and brownish hills to its immediate interior, and lines of fishing boats and Mandar’s distinct Sandeq sailing crafts along its shoreline.

This small city also offers magnificent sceneries and relaxing ambience. Although having undergone reclamation, the Manakara beach still presents a beautiful view of the Karampuang Island in the distance, especially when the sun sets, creating a beautiful silhouette of the island.

While the view of Karampuang Island is already a spectacle in itself , the island holds much more fascinating wonders below the waters surrounding it. Beautiful and pristine coral reefs and schools of colorful fishes dominate the scene right to the shallow shores, making it a perfect spot for snorkeling and diving.

The island itself got its name from a local legend that says that the entire island magically emerged during a full moon, hence the name “Karampuang” which in local language means “The Moon”. Sharing borders with the local population who live on the island, the rocky part of the island is also completed with shelters and paved paths for visitors to enjoy the view and ambience of the island. Karampuang island is also habitat to the unique giant Coconut Crabs (Birgus latro) that are known to be able to climb trees and are active at night.

Approximately 30Km away from downtown Mamuju, in the direction of the Ahmad Kirang Airport, one can feel the tranquilizing breeze of Bukit Jati Gentungan Recreational Park. Nestled in a fascinating natural setting, this is the best place just to lay back, relax, and absorb the refreshing atmosphere. The 4 hectares area also comes with a swimming pool for those who wish to take a dip in the refreshing water. The recreation also has 4 villas, 2 cottages, and 1 hall, for those who wish to spend the night here.

Get There

If you plan to fly to Mamuju from other parts of the country, then you must first make your way to Makassar. This is because the only direct flight to Mamuju’s Ahmad Kirang Airport in Tampa Padang, Mamuju Regency is served by Wings Air which flies daily from Makassar to Mamuju. Other airlines may offer flights to Mamuju from other cities but through connecting flights. From the airport, downtown Mamuju is approximately 30Km away and can be reached by rented or chartered car or public mini buses.

If you wish to try the overland course, the trip from Makassar to Mamuju will take about 8 to 10 hours. Although it is a long drive, you will be presented with some of the most magnificent views of shorelines and mountain ranges through the regencies of Polewali Mandar, and Majene. If you wish to take public transportation, you can take the Makassar-Mamuju buses from Makassar Bus Terminal with costs ranging from IDR100.000 to IDR125.000 and the trip will take 10 to 12 hours.

To Eat

Being a coastal town, the obvious choice on the menu is fresh sea food. You can find many restaurants and foodstalls along the Manakara Beach all the way to the Mamuju Fishing Port that sell fried or barbecued fish, crabs, squids, prawns, and other sea food delicacies.

For an authentic Mandar culinary experience, you may want to try to seek Jepa, traditional Mandar ethnic bread made from cassava and coconut which is baked on a traditional stove. Jepam an alternative to rice, is usually served with fried or barbecued fish. This traditional food may also be found in Majene and Polewali Mandar.

To Stay

As a growing provincial capital, the town of Mamuju has much more complete accommodation facilities compared to other regencies in the province. The best is the three starred ‘plus’ d’Maleo Hotel and Convention Mamuju which offers 131 rooms and suites. A ballroom can accommodate up to 600 people, besides other indulging facilities. There are also other hotels and inns available in Mamuju, here are a number of them:

d’Maleo Hotel&Convention

Jl.Yos Sudarso No.51 Mamuju

Phone: +62 426 232633

Fax:+62 426 232622

Email: info@dmaleohotelmamuju.com

Hotel Mamuju Beach

Jl Aipda KS Tubun 54, Binanga, Mamuju

Phone number: +62 426.22244

Grand Mutiara Hotel

Jl.H.Abdul Malik Pattana Endeng

Mamuju

Hotel Marannu Golden

Jl. Andi Dai No. 23, Mamuju

Phone: +62 426 22317

Ananda Inn

Jl. Pasar Sentral Lama no.21, Mamuju

Phone: +62 426 21236 / 085 255 420 901

Intan Inn

Jl. Mangga, no. 40, Mamuju

Phone: +62 426 21017

Indonesia Travel

 

Dato Beach: the secluded beauty of Majene, West Sulawesi

Overview

A soft white sandy beach, crystal clear water, staggering cliffs, beautiful rock formations, and swaying palm trees: one may well be mistaken to be somewhere in Bali, but it is not. Far from the spotlights of more popular destinations in other major islands, Dato Beach with all its splendor is truly a secluded beauty hidden within the Regency of Majene, The town of Majene is located on the Bay of Mandar, south of the capital Mamuju and closer to the town of Polewali in West Sulawesi.

Located just 1KM away from Banggae, the heart of Majene Regency or about 3.5 hours drive away from Mamuju, capital of West Sulawesi, the beach is highlighted with beautiful rock formations on one side and a vast stretching white sandy beach underneath a hanging cliff on the other. Its soft white sands make it a perfect place for all sorts of fun beach games such as beach volley, football, or building sandcastles. The shoreline is also home to a lot of hermit crabs in various sizes and shells. These unique crustaceans will definitely attract the curiosity of the younger visitors.

The waters off the coast of Dato beach are relatively calm , making it a perfect place for swimming or just to play around. Below its water, Dato Beach also offers pristine coral reefs with various colorful fish and other sea dwellers that will definitely indulge those who enjoy snorkeling and diving. Rich with various kinds of fish, these waters are also a perfect spot for fishing.

From the rock formation on the west end of the beach, one can climb stairs leading to the top of the cliff. There, a magnificent view of the vast ocean awaits.

Get There

It is best to rent a car from Mamuju, capital of West Sulawesi to get to Dato Island. The trip from Mamuju to Majene will take approximately 3.5 hours. Although some parts of the road may get a bit bumpy, you will be presented with an enchanting view of West Sulawesi, including those near Taraujung Pokki Taduang Beach, and Baluno Beach area. Once you get to the heart of Majene (Banggae district), turn right when you see a billboard directing you to Villa Bogor Hotel. There, go straight ahead for about 1 Km until the beach comes into view. Keep in mind that there are no signs whatsoever leading you to the beach, so when in doubt just ask around to make sure you get your direction correct.

To Stay

Here are some of the accommodation options available in Majene Province:

Hotel Villa Bogor

Jl. WR. Monginsidi No. 10,

Majene, West Sulawesi

Phone: +62 422 21109

Hotel Takanajuo

Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto

Majene, West Sulawesi

Phone: +62 422 2207

Hotel Sulawesi

Jl. Jend. Sudirman No. 101

Majene, West Sulawesi

Phone: +62 422 21700

Hotel Tiga Bintang I & II

Jl. DR. Sam Rattulanngi

Hotel Aulia

Jl. Jend. Gatot Subroto

Indonesia Travel

 

Liang Bua, Home of Indonesia's "hobbits"

Liang Bua is a cave in a limestone hill in Manggarai District, Flores. The local community is familiar with this cave because of its huge size (50 meters long, 40 meters wide, and 25 meters tall). Due to its size, it was once used as a religious worship place and school.

Liang Bua is famous the world over following the finding of an ancient skull. The skull was that of a short human called Homo floresiensis, found at a depth of 6 meters.  Its brain measured only 380 cc (compared to a minimum 1200 cc for a normal modern human brain). Archaeologists are of the opinion that this skull originated from an era back in time some 18,000 years ago.

In addition, in a depth of 10.7 meters, ancient animal bones were also found including those of stegodon (an ancient elephant), komodo, turtles, and lizards.

Get Arround

 Liang Bua and its surrounding areas are only accessible by foot.

To Do

 Despite its famous archaeological findings, no replica or information about these findings is located in Liang Bua.  Visitors can only see the massive cave with stalagmite stones, imaginating that ancient elephants, komodo and short humans (Homo floresiensis) once lived here thousands of years ago. Near Liang Bua, there are other caves such as Gua Galang (with bathing stones) and Gua Tanah.  You can walk to these caves.

Get There

 Liang Bua is located 14 kilometers from Ruteng, the capital city of Manggarai district. Bemo (rural public transportation) and trucks carrying passengers from Ruteng usually pass this site but their schedule is tentative.  The best way to visit this cave is by taking a rented car or a motor taxi.  To reach Ruteng, you can take land transportation from Labuan Bajo, Ende or Maumere.  Everyday there is a flight from Kupang to Maumere and Ende. There is also a daily flight from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo, and a twice a week flight from Kupang to Ruteng.

To Stay

No hotel is available in Liang Bua.  The nearest hotel or motel is in Ruteng pending availability.  Rima Hotel, Losmen Agung, Hotel Sindha and Hotel Dahlia are good choices to stay in Ruteng.

Tips

Please bring along your own food and drinks.  Be careful when taking a private car or a motor taxi because the road to Liang Bua from Ruteng is very narrow and only accommodates one car in width.  Its driving conditions are also dangerous due to many turns and hills.

To Eat

No restaurant or food stalls are available here.  The nearest restaurant is in Ruteng.  Restoran Merlin, at Bhayangkara Street (0385-22475), serves various types of Chinese and Indonesian foods.  In addition, Agape Cafe, which is also located at Bhayangkara Street, is a new cafe serving espresso, beer, and Western, Chinese and Indonesian foods.

To Buy

No souvenir or handicraft shops are available near Liang Bua.

Tarung and Waitabar Villages: Megalithic Traditions in the heart of Waikabubak City on Sumba

 In the heart of the expanding city of Waikabubak on the island of Sumba, clumps of straw can be seen peeking out of fences on the top of a hill. There, people in the village still hold steadfast to their old religion and traditions that have been taught them through the centuries by their ancestors.  

The town of Waikabubak, capital city of the district of West Sumba, nestles in a valley counting a population of around 26,423 persons only. But among its more modern brick  buildings there  still remain many traditional villages where its communities continue to  faithfully follow the old ways that were brought down through the  generations.  Most of these villages  are built on the hills around  the outskirts of town  but there are  also those that are  right  within the city of Waikabubak.  

Among these, the villages of Tarung and Waitabar should be on your list to visit. Although they have different names, they are in fact connected in one compound and are located in the heart of Waikabubak. Just within minutes from the city center you will be suddenly carried back to ancient times and come face to face with the original Sumba faith from long ago.    

Both villages donot only function as places of residence but are moreover social institutions that are called Marapu, which is also the name of their religion and religious practices that have  changed little  through the ages.

The traditional Sumba house called uma follows the old Sumba architectural style known colloquially as skyscrapers. It is square in shape built on a platform that is supported by wooden piles around 4 strong main pillars called kambaniru ludungu.

Additionally there are 36 pillars to support the portal structure (or  kambaniru) that are connected by wooden pins made of mosa, delomera or masela wood.

The traditional Sumba house consists of three storeys. The first or top floor (toko uma) is cone-shaped like most towers, and is used to store the sacred heirlooms or at times also the harvest.  Below this are the living quarters (bei uma) that donot touch the ground. Access for men is differentiated from the access for women. Then there is a large open area (bangga) with bamboo flooring that is used for communal meetings and family deliberations. The lowest level is the area below the house (kali kabunga). This area is used as pens for pigs, cows, goats, horses, water buffaloes and other animals.   

Apart from  these houses are others meant for specific purposes. There are tall structures to keep horses with the lower level used as pig sties (uma jangga). Another is used as a sacred temple for marapu rituals and  to pray to the ancestors (uma ndewa) which may not be used for living quarters. While another is built specially for communal  village meetings (uma bokulu).  

You will also notice that the roof is made of thatch. These simple structures are made with simple tools such as machetes and hatchets as metal was only introdued by the Portuguese when they arrived here  around the 16th century.

The traditional villages of  Tarung and Waitabar are located on a hill surrounded by large boulders.  They are easy to reach from the city center of Waikabubak, capital of the District of West Sumba. The town is about  one hour ride from the Tambolaka Airport.    Garuda Indonesia operates regular flights to Tambolaka from Bali and Jakarta.

The town of Waikabubak is indeed your best starting poimt to see the wonders of West Sumba. For, besides the villages of Tarung and Waitabar there are two other equally  interesting villages to visit,  which are:  Bodo Ede and  Bodomaroto.

When you visit the village during the day you will meet few people since most will be working the fields nearby. In the village most will be children, women and girls busy weaving in front of their homes. The afternoon is a  better time to visit when you will meet more people enjoying the evening hours chatting and joking.

In these villages you will find long rows of houses as arranged through the ages. In the center are stone megalithic tombs of the dead called waruga (not unlike the warugas in North Sulawesi). Both the Uma and the Waruga are symbols of the Sumba cosmology that is adhered to until this very day.

Take time to observe all the details and take as many pictures as you need of these structures and their details, as well as  the daily life of the villagers but please do this with respect and empathy. Chat with the population, for the Loli ethnic people are known for their  hospitality and friendliness to outsiders.  

Notice how the walls of the houses are decorated with buffalo horns and pig jaws. The more there are the higher the status of the owner of the house. Since the horns and jaws denote the number of feasts the owner has hosted.  

Notice also the Uma Marapu, the sacred place believed to be the home of the ancestors. See also the adung pillar. Which is an old dead tree which is hundreds of years old where enemy skulls used to be hung and publicly  displayed.

Most visitors to these villages are tourists, anthropologists, researchers or students, who do not come just to sightsee but to study the ancient rites and the  Marapu religion  of Sumba.  

Indonesia Travel