Get to know us

Hai!

My name is Ikbal. I was born and raised on Malenge, a small island in the Togian archipelago. For many years, I have been sharing the beauty of these islands with travelers from all over the world.

My journey began as a fisherman, driven by a simple passion for the sea and the various techniques of the trade. In my early 20s, I had the chance to work at a resort in the Togian Islands, where I met people from all over the globe and taught myself English. I loved making their holidays comfortable and memorable while constantly improving my skills in hospitality.

During this time I met my wife, Stefanie. We married in early 2016 and began building our life together here in the islands. While I focused on launching my own business, Togian Boat Trip, she has been my greatest support and the heart of our family. My goal with Togian Boat Trip has always been to offer authentic experiences where guests feel like friends, not just tourists. In 2017, our family was completed by the birth of our daughter, Elza. Seeing my dream of this guesthouse come to life, with my family by my side, is a journey I am proud and happy to share with you.

After years of organizing boat trips and showing visitors the hidden gems of the Togians—from the Jellyfish Lake to the most remote reefs—I decided it was time to build a permanent place for our guests to stay. This guesthouse is the realization of that dream. It is built with the same spirit as my boat trips: personal, authentic, and always with a smile.

I look forward to welcoming you to our little paradise and showing you the magic of the Togian Islands through my eyes.

Grüezi!

Hi, I’m Stefanie. My journey to the Togian Islands began like many of yours—as a traveler. When I first arrived in this remote paradise, I didn’t just fall in love with the turquoise waters and the palm trees; I fell in love with the soul of these islands and, eventually, with Ikbal.

Coming from Switzerland, where I worked as a teacher for arts, crafts, and design, my passion for creating things with my own hands has always stayed with me. You can find this love for craftsmanship in the details of our house. These days, I am also pouring my heart into building a family garden. I love growing our own vegetables to provide our family table with fresh, homegrown ingredients.

I love living here and enjoy the chance to meet the travelers who come to visit Ikbal’s guesthouse. I’m always happy to share a coffee on the terrace and talk about the peace and magic I found here years ago. Today, I am grateful to call this paradise my home and to raise our daughter, Elza, in such a beautiful place.

Hello!

Elza was born in 2017 in Sulawesi and is a true island child; she knows the best spots to find colorful shells and the hidden corners of our garden.

Growing up in such a multicultural home, she is a little polyglot and loves languages. She effortlessly switches between German, Swiss-German, English, and Indonesian. She even knows a bit of the local Togian language! Whether you want to chat about island life or learn a few local words, Elza is always curious and loves connecting with people from all over the world.

Whether she's playing with Nemo and teaching him some new tricks, or helping around the guesthouse (she cooks very delicious banana pancakes!), Elza reminds us every day of the magic and wonder of living in this paradise.

She can’t wait to say 'Hello'—in whichever language you prefer!

Wuff!

If you’re looking for a fierce guardian, you might want to keep looking. Nemo is officially the world’s worst guard dog, but easily the best at winning hearts.

While he knows a few impressive tricks, his real 'talent' is being afraid of almost everything. Tiny beetles? Terrifying. Hermit crabs? Pure evil. Driftwood? A suspicious monster from the deep.

And don't even get him started on the ocean. Despite his name, Nemo is definitely not a fish. He firmly believes that water is only meant for drinking or for being accidentally splashed with—never for swimming.

If you return from a snorkeling adventure at our house reef, he will probably find you highly suspicious. Being a bit of a 'fraidy-cat', he might just turn around and run! You’ll never find him in the waves, as he strictly prefers to keep his paws on solid, crab-free ground.

He’s the friendliest and most cautious soul you’ll ever meet. He won’t bark at strangers, but he will bark on command if there’s a treat involved. So, if you want to get past our 'security,' just bring a snack and prepare for some gentle tail wags!