THE physical appearance of the people of Wae Rebo can be said to be the same as the other groups in Manggarai, West Flores: dark-skinned, with curly or wavy hair. Their only outstanding difference is in the soles of their feet. These are broad and thick, with large toes. "I am used to walking 6 kilometers over mountains, through forests, and rivers," said Blasius Monta, 44.

The state of the infrastructure out of and into Wae Rebo is indeed very poor