Chez Felix

Mrs. Gertrudis Anik

It was in about 1989 Ibu Gertrudis or Mrs. Gertrudis Anik noticed that many travelers in Labuanbajo did not get appropriate room for accommodation. The supply of room for travelers and backpackers in Labuanbajo was so limited. By then Mrs. Gertrudis invited the travelers to stay at her simple house for free. It lasted for about one year. Then a German traveler advised Ibu Gertrudis to ask the traveler to pay Rp. 3.000/night.

The early years in tourism of Ibu Gertrudis were hard period. She speaks no English. Whenever she met backpackers she just took their hand and shows them her simple rooms at home. She even did not dare to provide food for her guests just because Mrs. Gertrudis was not sure the food she provided is acceptable to westerns tongue.

Then came 2 French girls who later introduced themselves as Bridgitte and Viviane. Ibu Gertrudis remembered that these 2 girls are about at their 25 years of age and they are police officers. After 2 weeks of stay Bridgite and Viviane took an initiative to made a sign board. They named Ibu Gerturids' Home-stay as Chez Felix. Felix is taken from Ibu Gertrudis' husband name, Mr. Felix Hormat, a government official retiree.

Without the help of these 2 girls Chez Felix would never exist. But since then Ibu Gretrudis lost contact with these 2 girls. Ibu Gertrudis really miss them and she wish she could meet them again. She really hope these 2 girls would ever read this story and Ibu Gertrudis would like to invite them to come to Labuanbajo again.

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative:
The location of Chez Felix was once a dry place. Only shrubs grow. Gradually it turns to green as Ibu Gerturids is really caring with her garden. She plants tropical trees and water the plants from waste water of the guest house. Kitchen bio wastes are decomposed to manure the plants at the hotel.

Mrs. Gerturids welcomes visitor as her own guests and serving tourists is her destiny.