Misunderstanding Turns Into a Happy Ending Tour with Flores Magnifique
- October 11, 2025
- Ino Jemadu
- 4:26 pm
In September, we had clients from France—Laura and Florian, a lovely young couple who spent 4 days and 3 nights exploring Flores Island. We picked them up in Labuan Bajo and dropped them off at Ende Airport. I (Ino Jemadu) was their tour guide, accompanied by our driver, Roberto. We met them at a hotel in Labuan Bajo.
As usual, the first day began with small talk—introductions, checking in on how they were doing, and giving them an overview of Flores Island and its people.
Throughout the car journey, we made occasional stops to take photos of scenic spots or to have a quick coffee break. Laura and Florian were young, friendly, and easy to talk to. We had conversations on a wide range of topics—politics, environmental issues, work, the economy, religion, European culture, and more. Before we knew it, we had arrived at our first destination after a 3-hour drive: the famous Spider Web Rice Fields.
Laura and Florian were fascinated by the rice fields. It’s understandable—this unique traditional land division system, known as lingko, only exists in Manggarai, Flores. Nowhere else. They took plenty of photos, both with their phones and a drone. Afterward, we drove the remaining 15 minutes to the small town of Ruteng for dinner and a well-deserved rest.
Day 2: Markets, Catfish, and a Hot Spring Surprise
We started our second day by visiting one of the largest traditional markets on Flores Island—Pasar Inpres Ruteng. Laura and Florian thoroughly enjoyed observing the lively market activities, a kind of scene that’s now rare in Europe. Fresh vegetables, fish, and meat were sold without preservatives—everything direct from local farmers. Often harvested and sold on the same day.
Besides food, the market also offered a rich variety of traditional woven products like sarongs, scarves, hats, and local ceremonial clothing. Laura and Florian mingled and chatted with both buyers and sellers. “It’s such a fun experience,” Laura said.
After the market, we headed to Bajawa, about 130 km from Ruteng—around a 4-hour drive. On the way, I invited them to have lunch at my sister’s house in Borong, where we served fried ikan lele (catfish) with a local tomato sambal. While catfish can also be found in Europe, neither of them had ever tried it. They agreed to give it a go, albeit a bit hesitantly at first. But after a few bites, they really enjoyed it—and even asked for seconds! They are also enjoying the young coconut for desert, fresh from the tree.
Post-lunch, we visited Aimere Village, where locals distil palm sap into sopi—a traditional alcoholic drink. They got an in-depth explanation of the distilling process, from collecting palm juice to producing sopi. They even sampled different alcohol strengths—ranging from 20% to 50%. “Wow, it’s like drinking vodka!” said Florian.
From Aimere, we drove another 45 minutes to Malanage River Hot Spring, a unique spot where you can bathe in three different water temperatures—cold (around 15°C), hot (above 45°C), and a warm mix where hot and cold rivers meet. Laura and Florian loved it so much, they asked if they could come back the next day. After a relaxing soak, we continued to Bajawa for dinner and rest.
Day 3: Mountains, Hot Springs, and... a Sudden Dispute
As requested, we returned to Malanage Hot Spring the next morning. But before that, we made a stop at Wolobobo View Point, one of the best scenic spots in Flores. From there, you can see breathtaking volcanic mountain ranges nestled in the valleys of Ngada Regency—including the majestic Mount Inerie, arguably the most beautiful volcano on Flores.
After soaking in the views, we returned to Malanage for a second, equally enjoyable visit to the hot springs.
After two full days of smooth travel, both Roberto and I felt things were going perfectly. The guests were happy, the conversations flowing. But then, the mood shifted.
After paying for coffee and a simple lunch at Malanage, Laura seemed upset. She felt the price—just for instant noodles with egg and coffee—was too high.
“Ino, this meal is way overpriced. It’s not worth the money,” she said.
I calmly explained that the prices were standard—not just for tourists, but for locals too. Food prices at small warungs in Flores are generally the same for everyone.
But Laura didn’t stop there. She also brought up how cheap their hotel was—she had seen it listed at only IDR 70,000 (about $4.50) per night for a double room on a booking site. She questioned why, despite the cheap hotels, their overall tour price was so high.
I suggested she double-check the hotel price, as IDR 70,000 seemed unrealistic. Unfortunately, internet signal in Malanage was poor, so she couldn’t verify it right away.
Then came another complaint:
“Our friend paid cheaper than us, why?”
I responded that they need to verify the information again.
The warm, friendly vibe we had shared started to feel strained. Still, Roberto and I remained professional, sticking to the program and letting our office staff handle any price disputes.
About ten minutes into the drive from Malanage to Moni Village, we finally got decent internet. Laura checked the prices again. Turned out, she had misread the hotel listing. An honest mistake—too many zeros in Indonesian currency, after all!
As for the tour price, her friend had actually paid in USD, not AUD. Realizing their mistake, Laura and Florian turned to us, hugged us, and apologized. A truly fair and humble gesture. The mood lifted immediately, and things returned to the cheerful atmosphere we had before.
Tour Extension and an Unexpected Adventure
From Malanage, we headed to Moni Village, the gateway to the famous Kelimutu volcano. Along the way, Laura and Florian told us they had three free days in Labuan Bajo before starting their boat tour. I offered them an extended land tour to explore more of Flores—and they agreed.
The new plan: after visiting Kelimutu’s stunning tri-colored lakes, we would continue to Riung 17 Island Marine Park, then return via Ruteng to watch a traditional Caci whip dance, before finally heading back to Labuan Bajo.
Just like that, our 4-day-3-night tour became a 7-day-6-night journey. The extra days brought even more joy, shared stories, and deeper connections. I and the driver even picked up a few French words along the way!
Our road trip soundtrack kept rotating—songs from both our cultures, some favourites, some popular hits. Laura and Erik were thrilled by the new experiences—whether it was swimming at the untouched 17 Islands Marine Park, or the dramatic cultural performance of the Manggarai Caci dancers in Ruteng.
Before we knew it, our car was back on the roads of Labuan Bajo.
“This has been an extraordinary experience—beyond our expectations. We love the extended days much more,” said Laura and Florian, hugging both me and Roberto.
The tour ended.
Oh, and the last song playing on our shared playlist?
“Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga.