JAKARTA - "Erik, Erik, here accompany this brother both down (waterfall)," call our car driver in Sumba, Ae, while visiting Wai Marang Village.
From the shop, Erik came out. The 13-year-old boy smiled broadly and greeted us with his white teeth.
For some people it may seem strange to be guided by a 13-year-old child to go to the Waterfall with a steep trekking track. However, Erik is well aware of the paths, rocks, and even a safe place to stay at Wai Marang Waterfall.
How not, three years ago Erikson Hapu Hamapinda Kamanula aka Erik who discovered the Wai Marang Waterfall in East Sumba.
"Yes, Sis, 2015 and then met it. I, brother, and Om went hunting for wild boar," explained Erik along the way to the waterfall, which became a series of KFC Indonesia events and the 1000 teacher community in Sumba.
Not finding a wild boar, Erik, brother, and uncle actually found three-level waterfalls. The waterfall was then known as Wai Marang, just like the name of the Waterfall village.
Uncle Erik who worked in Bali then uploaded the Waterfall photo on his Facebook account.
When someone asks about the Waterfall, Erik is trusted to accompany tourists.
With a one kilometer trekking track, but steep and slippery, it's good to ask for help from a guide.
"Yes, the one who built this trekking track, my father, Sis. One week he opened the track," explained Erik.
Wai Marang Waterfall is then managed by the Erik family. He guided, the father opened the path and took care of the parking lot, his mother opened a stall for tourists to relax.
There is no charge to enter Wai Marang, the Erik family only charges a parking fee of Rp 10,000.
Erik also did not set the tariff to guide for trekking to Wai Marang Waterfall. "If you want to walk alone, you can just follow the path," said Erik.
Wai Marang Waterfall also brings Erik to his idol, the band member Slank. One day Kaka and Bim Bim and their families came to Wai Marang. Erik who likes the song Slank was initially unaware that the guest he was transferring was Slank band personnel.
Until the end of the trip he was told. "I like their songs, I'm a fan (Slankers)," said Erik.
After guiding the idol, Erik was asked to sing his favorite Slank song. A bonus for Erik, is not only given a large guiding wage but also a signature. A flag of Slank emblazoned on the front wall of the house leads to Wai Marang Waterfall, indicating that it is Erik's family home.
Wai Marang Waterfall now adds to Erik's family fortune and who would have thought to bring the Sumba boy together with his idol from the capital city.
