Q..How do we book for a stay at Ombak Indah?
A...Go to the ‘How to book' page.

Q..Is malaria a problem out there?
A..Not really, the locals never worry about it and it's hard to find one who's had it.  We're lucky that it's pretty much a malaria free area.  Nev has never slept under a net and can't handle the repellants. A couple of mossie coils mostly does the trick.  If there are many mosquitoes they're usually just the annoying kind, buzzing in your ears and gving you a few itches.  Even so, we recommend your doctors advice on malaria and any other illnesses likely to be a problem in the tropics.

Q..I hear you don't have a TV or DVD player at Ombak Indah.  What's the go on that?
A..The feeling at Ombak Indah is that we have a different vibe there and other things to do rather than sit in front of a TV or computer screen like you do at home.  We focus more on meeting new people, making new friends and sharing experiences.  Our entertainment, apart from the surfing includes ping pong (watch out for Faisal), cards, chess, music (bring your i-Pods) and having a few cold beers with new friends and hearing their stories. 

Sitting watching a movie or video of yourself surfing that day can wait till you get home with your mates who weren't lucky enough to come away with you.  Some guests will bring a laptop or portable DVD player with them to watch stuff in their rooms and that's OK.  We have a speaker system guests can play music from their iPods or Walkmans.  At least 95% of our previous guests agree with this policy and ask us not to change.

Q..What about ATM and money changing facilities?
A..Cash up before you leave Jakarta.  Krui has no ATM or money changer.  The nearest ATM is at Liwa, 2 ½ hours drive away on a pretty bad road.  There are no money changers either, although sometimes the losmen will have enough rupiah to get you out of trouble.  We'll change most currencies except US$'s, they're just too much trouble in Indonesia.

Q..How about communications in the area?
A..An internet service is available in Krui though it's often not operating.  The computers are down, power's off or or they're just closed for one of the many Indonesian public holidays.  No phone line is available at Ombak Indah, so mobile phones are the best bet.  Global roaming is very expensive and most guests buy a local sim card and number for less than AU$10.  Sms is the way to go, inexpensive and no trouble connecting.

Q..What kind of fish is this Nev?
A..Nev is the worst fisherman in the world and has no idea on Indonesian species.  He's only good at eating it.

Q..What about first aid and medical facilities?
A..All Indo travelers should be carrying a first aid kit.  If anything major happens a good doctor is available though medications could be a bit light on.  Local hospital facilities are basic and should be avoided if possible.  It's a good 6 hrs by car to a good hospital.  We can arrange helicopter Medivac if needed. Travel and medical insurance is essential when traveling overseas, especially in Indonesia where facilities are usually not up to western standards.  All our agents ensure our guests have travel insurance.

Staff will give assistance until help arrives but at no stage will the losmen or staff assume responsibility for medical treatment or costs.

Q..Are the local people friendly and how do they handle tourists in their area?
A..In general they are very friendly .and curious about our ways. The kids are a great way to improve your language skills.  If you must give them something, make it food or t-shirts etc.  Never give them money as that sends the wrong message and spoils the whole deal when you get a lot of kids who approach you with their hands out begging. They're poor in this area but there are better ways to help than just giving money. 

Some of the locals are a bit suspicious about our motives but that's because tourism is a relatively new thing is this part of Indonesia.  Nev has been surfing and hanging around in Indo for over 20yrs and he reckons he's run into a few wankers, but no serious terrorist types.  They're pretty few and far between. 

The locals are learning we're not about changing their religion or eating their kids or devil worship and raping and pillaging.  Mainly they see we just come to surf have fun and maybe learn about the culture and lifestyle in this area.  Hopefully they'll realize that tourism can benefit the community and that's what the owners of Ombak Indah are keen to encourage.

Q..What about food, is that included and what style is it?
  A.. Three meals a day are included in the accommodation price.  Fruit is usually provided depending on what's available at the market and is in a bowl on the table for guests.
Breakfast varies from toast and eggs, jaffles, nasi goring, omelets and other, depending  on availability of supplies at the market or in Krui.
Lunch and dinner are mainly Indonesian dishes modified for the western palate.  Once a week we'll get a KFC style meal, fried chicken, chips and coleslaw.  The food is usually very tasty and s served ala carte.   Take what you want but eat what you take.

Q.. Should we stay at locally owned losmens or western owned losmens?
A.. Ombak Indah is operated by the Big Rock 5 group which consists of 5 Kiwi and Aussie mates, who, while wanting success for Ombak Indah also want the whole deal to benefit the local community as well.   Ombak Indah provides permanent fulltime jobs for 12 or 14 Indonesians, offering job security, training and a better lifestyle for our staff and their families.  As much as we can we shop locally and use local labor when required so the whole community can see that tourism isn’t such a bad thing.

The local losmens are family owned and only employ direct family, and may employ casual labour during the busy season. Consequently proceeds from the business will be concentrated within the family and their contacts, rather than being more evenly distributed through the local village and surrounding area.