Lihaga Island, Bad Experience

During the Good Friday Holiday 2022, we went to Lihaga Island acompanying a group of visitors from Surabaya, Ambon and Papua. They were of 13 people and was a family. Our journey from a hotel in Manado took about 2 hours driving and more or less 15 minutes boat ride. Everything seemed to be nice and smooth until when we arrived at the jetty of the island. It was about 12.30 PM.

The security on duty welcomed us with confused grin and tell us nicely that the island was closed for visitors. But, their social media said the Lihaga beach club will always open. We smelled something stinky on the air regarding this. However, yes we keep the positive thinking. After everyone went off the boat and we headed for the jetty. Again the security on duty nicely said that the Lihaga Beach Club was closed during this holiday by the order of the manager.

Then, we asked whether was it possible to be on the beach or not. He said that we needed the approval of the manager. So, we asked to meet the manager and waited for him to come.

From a distance a guy on white t-shirt and hat approached us with a stern looking. His face rather showed like he wanted to eat or hit someone. The security guy introduced us that this guy coming toward us was the manager. We introduced ourselves nicely.

However, instead of getting a warm welcome, he yelled at us that the island was closed and we needed to returned immediately. We were very shocked. How could a man with such temper become manager in this lovely island? Let alone a tourism destination. Instead of pleasing us to at least seat and arrange a nice talk, he kept yelling at us that we needed to retreat immediately with furious face. As travel agent, we had prepared this trip two weeks before the actual visit. And, not even a chance that we heard any information of this island was closed for visit. The guy even yelled at us that we needed to respect someone's religious holiday and asked us to return the other day when they are opened. But yet their social media said they are always open. 

The tour guide on duty which is also one of board of director in our company and also the president of Indonesian Tour Guide Association North Sulawesi Board tried to call someone he knew with failure. The boat captain also called another man as well. The call from the boat captain was answered. He explained the issue happening. Then the tour guide finally could talk with this man as well and asked whether was it possible to at least play in the beach or not. He got calming answer from the guy from the other side. Now, while talking with this guy, the manager on the other side was busy shushing the guests out of the island as if they are dogs.

Lastly the tour guide approached the manager again. Two guests came along with him. The tour guide explained the fact that the travel agents didn't get any information about the closing of the island during the holiday. Again the manager started to be furious. He even compared that how in hell he responded to visitors who came during midnight time for visit. Even this one was inappropriate because we came not during night time. Our visit was during  day time not otherwise. Then, one of the guests came up with an interesting information that she had at least contacted three travel agents during the preparation and all agreed that the visit island is open.

But the manager seemed to be on his own thought that he had already instructed everyone including boat operators and travel agents that the island was close. The tour guide managed to call the guy whom the boat man had called earlier. He talked with him. Again the tour guide asked whether or not they get leniency from the company. The guy behind the phone said that he had already called the manager, but he didn't picked up the phone. Either it was coincident or luck, while the tour guide was confronting the manager, he managed to call the guy too. The manager insisted that to that man that our group needed to move out and return the next day. He said they could give discounts. 

The manager even insulted us and the group by saying that the money they accept was only small amount and thus they will not get any benefit nor blessing. Does he even calculate the whole process of reaching out this island from the guests point of view? Or how much energy has already been spend by us as travel agent to make this tour happen. If the issue was religious public holiday, we are also Christians. But we could manage our faith well. The tour guide woke up at 4 AM to attend the Good Friday mass in his church in order that he could work and make our trip to Lihaga Island. So does the guests. They attended the mass also and thus the group arrived on the island during mid-day.

Allow us to question the system in this island. Was it appropriate to shush the visitors like they are dogs? What about delegating the job to another people who are ready for the chance? Why so stiff and strict if they can be gentle and humble? Last but not least, is this how Christian behave, so very arrogant and uneducated?

Nonetheless the problem has occurred. After this dramatic arguments with shushing and yelling, the main office in Jakarta gave us opportunity to stay and finish our intention here, Vacation. In which we appreciated very much for this wise decision.

The guest enjoyed the island and its beauty eventually. But not us. This hurts us as travel agent. Our efforts on promoting the island was turn down by a person called himself the manager. Thus we were force to make a choice regarding this matter. First, we review the service in google. We believe that people will find this review useful when they wanted to visit the island. Second, as agent, we think other islands in North Sulawesi are still waiting us anyway. Thus we will consider any available option. Third, the displeasure and discomforts during this visit from our clients will never worth any of our compensations because it will remain as a bad memory to them forever and permanent, especially with the yelling and shushing like dog they received. Chance are always opened to them to tell other clients that the service is bad by using this case as an example.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful island. Well, the guest expected to find paradise, but they had to go through hell first.