Frequently Asked Questions

1. WHERE IS MACARONIS RESORT - SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE AREA?

Macaronis Resort is located on North Pagai Island in the southern region of the Mentawai Islands. We are located central to Katieit on South Sipora (Lances surfing area) and Sibegau Island nearby South Pagai (Thunders surfing area). Macaronis is remotely located 120 Nm from Padang and 5 km from Silabu Village which is located 3 km in-land on the edge of a an arterial river system.

Silabu Village has approximately 200 indigenous inhabitants and is located about 20km from Sikakap, only connected by walking track that can also be crossed on a motor bike taking about 1.5 hours. The village is largely traditional due to its remote location. The only reason the villagers have had any contact with the outside world is through Christian missionaries that converted them in the early 1900's, and more recently due to the Mentawai waves and their popularity among visiting surfers.

Salt water crocodiles (known locally as Buaya) still inhabit the area but are timid of humans and can usually only be seen in the interior river systems, but sometimes in the ocean as well. Guests still swim in the lagoon and ocean regardless, and we have been informed by the villagers that although several dogs have been taken over the years, no humans have been known to be taken by crocodiles in the area. There are also some of the largest snakes in the world living in the jungle, including reticulated pythons that grow as thick as a tree trunk, king cobra and green tree vipers. Water Dragons (similar to goannas and known locally as Buayak) are also plentiful growing up to 2 meters in length.

In the jungle there is wild bore and on our island there is a family of endangered Pagai monkeys with black fure and white faces. Various other species of Monkey exist including the Mentawai Leaf Monkey, Macaques and another two species that inhabit the area. There are also flying squirils (called 'Tupai') on our island and Macaronis is home to the Crested Serpant Eagle that lives high in the hollowed out rotting tree trunks around Macaronis Point and on Silabu Island.

Silabu lagoon has a variety of fish species including squid, various crab species including mud crab, Giant Trevally, octopus, sea snails, mangrove jack, red snapper, mullet, yellow tipped Trevally, blue tipped trevally and Scorpion fish. Trawling in the ocean one can catch Giant Trevally, King Mackral / Tengirri, Mahi Mahi, Sail Fish and sometimes even Black Marlin. The forests and ocean is abandant with nature. In the forest there are also wild black spotted deer and who knows what else can be found in there; a surprise is always around the corner.

2. HOW ARE SURF CHARTERS ORGANISED ON INDIES EXPLORER?

Over-night surf excursions are available for all guests staying at the resort. Generally for 12 or more guests there would be one 2-3 day charter offered each week or for goups of more than 12 guests then there would be two trips offered each week, traveling up to 30 miles north or south of Macaronis Resort.

Generally over the course of a week Indies Explorer operates a schedule as follows : Sikakap - Macaronis Resort - Surf Trip North (2-3 days) - Macaronis Resort - Surf Trip South (2-3 days) - Macaronis Resort - Sikakap (Friday transfers)..... and the schedule repeats weekly. This is dependant on weather, and if conditions are better suited to heading south for example, then Indies Explorer may instead offer 2 trips south over the course of 1 week..

3. HOW RELIABLE IS THE AMBU AMBU FERRY?

Ambu Ambu Ferry is contracted by the Indonesian government to operate minimum 45 return trips to Sikakap annually (port closest to Macaronis) over 48 weeks of the year. The ferry service must complete this minimum service level to obtain its subsidy supplied by the Indonesian Government (therefore minimum reliability is 45/48 x 100 = approx. 94 %). In the past 2 years this service level has been acheived, and only on 2 occasions in year 2008 did the Ambu Ambu Ferry fail to depart to Sikakap due to the Ferry being late back from dry docking in Jakarta (at which time the service was backed up by Indies Explorer).

Further Information about Ambu Ambu Ferry:

Total Certified Crew: 21
Jakarta docking times (not in service): The full month of August, annually.
Main engines: 2
Back up engines: 2
Twin share air-conditioned cabins: 5
Quad Share air-conditioned cabins: 3
Safety Equipment: International Standard - life rafts (viewable in photo below), life jackets, fire fighting equipment / interior sprinklers etc.
VIP airconditioned seating lounge: 60+ reclining seats
Facilities: Canteen serving cold drinks, snacks, tea and coffee, cold beer

Over-all an enjoyable cultural experience, also having the opportunity to mingle with locals.

Above: Ambu Ambu Passenger Ferry operated by ASDP Ferry Indonesia

* Please Note: Macaronis Resort does not recommend use of any other Mentawai ferries available that have proven unreliable in the past.

4. WHAT HAPPENS IF AMBU AMBU FERRY FAILS TO DEPART PADANG?

If we receive news that Ambu Ambu Ferry has failed to depart Padang on Thursday evening, then guests at the resort will be asked to pack their luggage to depart on Thursday evening at 9:30pm back to Padang arriving at 12:30pm Friday. Indies Explorer will then depart at 4:30pm Friday back to Macaronis Resort with new guests arriving at 7:30am on Saturday morning. If this situation arises this in reality means half a day of surfing lost for both arriving and departing groups effected by an emergency situation. Macaronis Resort does not charge guests any extra for emergency transfers provided on the Indies Explorer.

It should also be pointed out that Indies Eplorer has operated as a charter vessel in the Mentawai Islands for 9 years and has comfortably made the crossing to and from Padang on dozens of occasions and is well equiped to make this crossing.

5. WHAT ARE THE PAYMENT PROCEEDURES?

Bookings require a minimum non-refundable US$500.00 deposit to secure the booking.

Balance Payment is required minimum 45 days prior to the commencement of the booking.

All payments should be made to your booking agent or if booking direct to the following bank account:

Bank: Mandiri

Branch: Imam Bonjol, Padang

Account Name: MARK LOUGHRAN / SILABU UNIT TRUST

Currency: USD

Account Number: 1110004459620

Swift Code: beiiidja

Address: Komp. Andalas Makmur Blok B/11 Rt 03/03 PARAK KERAKA - Padang Timur Kubu Dalam PADANG

Office Phone: +62 81374429357

Please keep the bank slip you receive after making payment via Telegraphic Transfer, and send us an email with the bank receipt transaction number so we know which payment is yours.

Also note that those making payment are responsible for bank transfer fees associated with International payments. To save costs, best to send payments as a group rather than individually. International transfer fees are usually between $15 - $30 flat rate (per transfer).

6. DO I REQUIRE CASH WHILST AT THE RESORT?

Additional funds are required for beverages or snacks ordered from the public bar, purchase of souvenirs or any other extras. Macaronis Resort offers a money changing service accepting United States dollars, Australian dollars and Euro Dollars.

As we do not have a phone line at Macaronis Resort, unfortunately no Indonesian Bank is currently able to supply us with a reliable online credit card facility. Even over the internet using Vsat, there still does not yet seem to be a reliable solution receiving credit card payments on site at Macaronis Resort. We continue to seek a solution, but at this stage best to bring cash for spending money over the bar and for purchasing souveneirs, laundry and internet use.

7. WHAT ABOUT MALARIA?

The risk of contracting Malaria in the Mentawai Islands is no different to the risks associated with visiting the island of Nias, the Hinako Islands, Simeulue, G-Land, Lakey Peak, Desert Point, Sumba and various other remote areas in Indonesia. Any remote area has the potential for an outbreak of Malaria, depending on controlling factors such as rainfall, potential mosquito breeding areas and awareness of the local community.

Over the past 5 years since the construction of Macaronis Resort some 800 guests have visited and no guest to our knowledge has ever been unlucky enough to have contracted Malaria.

Given the fact that all accommodation and entertainment facilities at Macaronis Resort are fan cooled, screened and air-conditioned, the chances of contracting mosquito bites are remote given that proper caution is taken. We recommend that all guests take anti-malarial medication as an added precaution (we recommend doxicyclin).

8. IS EMERGENCY EVACUATION AVAILABLE?

Emergency evacuation to Padang is available on Indies Explorer if a situation is considered serious, or in some circumstances by helicopter (you must consult with your travel insurance company to qualify) or by plane from Rokot airstrip on Sipora Island 60 miles to the north. Emergency evacuation to Padang can cost many thousands of dollars and this is why we maintain that travel insurance when traveling to Macaronis Resort is obligatory.

9. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?

Traditionally, March through to November is regarded as the peak surfing season, when the swell is most consistent. However perfect glassy surf in the 3 - 4 ft range can also be found with less crowds from December to February, an ideal time for less experienced surfers or those surfers who want fun waves but prefer to avoid crowds.

As the Mentawai Islands are located only 1 degree south of the equator, weather conditions are generally similar all year round (tropical, humid, sunny weather), however August is known to sometimes produce less stable weather, with occasional localised storms and stronger winds.

The months of December to February are generally fairly stable with respect to wind, but these months are very humid creating additional rainfall usually in the afternoons and of an evening. That's certainly not to say that during these months there aren't perfect unridden barrels passing through most of the islands in the Mentawais.....(well most of them unridden!!)...

For any crew interested in visiting in February 2009 when conditions can be excellent, feel free to drop us a line to get special low season quote.

10. HOW MANY SURF BOARDS AND HOW MUCH LUGGAGE CAN I BRING?

Bring as many boards as you like. But keep in mind that there will be luggage restrictions on your international and domestic flights. But when it comes to Indies Explorer and Ambu Ambu Ferry, there is plenty of room for all of your luggage and surfboards that you would like to bring. Surf boards can also be left at the resort in storage for those that plan to return annually.