Sabang, Indonesia Most Western Point

In the 12th century, Sinbad landed on this island and named it Island of Gold. The presence of Sinbad then followed by other Arab traders who later named this island Shabag, which means erupted mountain. Over time and the increasing number of local fishermen who stopped and built a residence in this island, once the island changed his name to Weh (from Acehnese), which means 'separate'. That's a bit of a story that told by Darma, a driver in Balohan Port. He said this story is told down through the generations by parents and traditional leaders there to children. Nowadays we know this island as the most western point of Indonesia. Sabang has one nautical charm that is not less amazing when compared to areas other marine tourism in the east of Indonesia, but unfortunately the conflicts that have occurred in Aceh and the tsunami in 2004 made his charm could not be explored in full withdrawal.

Heading for Sabang was not as hard as we imagine, it only take 15 minutes from the City of Banda Aceh to Ulee Lheu ferry ports by public transportation for only Rp. 6000. From Ulee Lheu to Balohan in Sabang there are two ships serving the route, i.e., fast boats (IDR 65.000/person) or a slower boat (IDR 17.000/person), if you bring a vehicle of course there are additional fees for it. If you use a fast boat, you will arrive in Sabang only within 45 minutes, whereas if you use slow one then estimated time to dock about a 1.5 to 2 hours. Make sure you know the schedule of these two boats. The fast boat served once everyday and will depart at from Ulee Lheu at 8 AM. While the slow boat depart at 10 AM. But every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday both ships served this route twice a day.

Exploring Sabang will be more efficient if we bring own vehicle, the directions clear enough and there people are very friendly when asked the location of the objects of tourism. But if you are not driving, you can go with somekind taxi that available at the Balohan. To reach the city of Sabang per person will be charged IDR 15,000 meanwhile to get to ‘Kilometer Zero’ monument you will be charged IDR 50,000, but you can also hire the car travel.

Kilometer Zero's Monument, of course the main attraction of the most targeted by the tourists who visit Sabang. This is Indonesia’s most western point, which was inaugurated in 1997 by Vice President Tri Sutrisno and Research and Technology at the time, BJ. Habibie. Unfortunately this monument does not seem well cared by the City Government of Sabang, many ignorant hands crossing out some parts of the monument. The Pancasila’s Bird symbol of Indonesia that stands majestically on top of the monument also has begun to look faded and full of rust. You will also get a certificate if successfully reach this monument, the certificate can be found at a stall near the monument that or you can take care of it in Sabang City Tourism Office.

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Beside Kilometer Zero Monument, the beaches in Sabang also would have been the main object of nautical tourism in here. There are many beaches that you can go here. Here some beaches that become tourist attraction in Sabang are Iboih Beach, Gapang Beach, Paradiso Beach, Air Dingin beach, and Sumur Tiga beach. Iboih beach is frequently visited by tourists, because it located near to Rubiyah Island (one of famous diving spot in Sabang) and also just 8 kilometers from Kilometer Zero monument. The beach was clean enough and tends to be busy people because of their status which is close to zero miles. You can rent speed boat from local fishermen and pay them IDR 150.000 if you want to encircle the Rubiah Island. If you want to snorkeling or diving, you can also rent the tool in there. If you were looking for a sunrise photo, then Iboih beach is the right place.

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Sumur Tiga beach maybe the cleanest beaches in the entire Sabang. Nowadays, the people no more recognize the beach as Sumur Tiga, now the beach well-known as Freddie’s beach. Feel so 'western'? No wonder because this beach accidently found by South African tourist named Freddie. Freddie then built a cottage near the beach. Originally he only built four cottages but since his beach got a publicity and more and more tourists visited there, then he built more cottages there (nearly 20 cottages).

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There is other monumental monument beside the Kilometer Zero Monument that called Twin Monument which located in front of the Office of the Mayor of Sabang. Why it called twin? Because there are two monuments like this in Indonesia and it is located in Merauke as the most eastern point in Indonesia. Old Portuguese heritage cannons on display at Sabang Fair are also other Sabang’s tourist attraction.

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Just the tips from me, if you want to staypend a night in Sabang, I suggest that you stay in hotels or motels the city of Sabang because it is much cheaper and the facilities much better than a cottages or rent rooms in these beaches. If you still insist to spend a night near the beach, then I suggest you to stay at Freddie’s cottage in Sumur Tiga beach. The facilities they offer here is more better than in Iboih or Gapang’s beach, beside that it also easier to find some meal in the city than in both beaches. (deha)

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P.S. I hope you understand what I write, because I actually don't fluent English so much

Lombok and the Lovely Gili

"Almost heaven? No! Made in heaven is the correct words" kata seorang wisatawan dari Swedia yang kutemui di wisma murah meriah di dekat pelabuhan di Gili Trawangan. Pujian yang setinggi langit itu sempat membuat busung dada ini dan saya pun sepenuhnya setuju akan kata-katanya. Pantainya berpulir halus dan berwarna krem hampir putih, airnya hijau-kebiruan dan jika kita memandang ke horison nampak seperti menyatu dengan langit, udaranya bersih karena tidak ada satupun motor atau mobil di sana. Dan jika anda cukup beruntung, yang sayangnya tidak saya alami, pada pagi hari yang cerah sesaat setelah matahari terbit, maka anda dapat melihat Gunung Rinjani di dataran utama Nusa Tenggara bersanding dengan cahaya matahari pagi.

Gili Trawangan merupakan salah satu dari tiga pulau kecil yang indah di belahan utara Lombok, dua lainnya adalah Gili Meno dan Gili Air. Ketiganya tentu sama indahnya, tapi Gili Trawangan jauh lebih tersohor namanya dibanding dua Gili yang lainnya. Datang ke Gili Trawangan maka anda ibarat mendatangi melting pot para wisatawan asing di Indonesia selain Bali.

Tak lengkap rasanya berbicara mengenai Gili tanpa membicarakan Lombok dam Senggigi. Yah dataran utama Nusa Tenggara Barat ini juga memiliki objek yang tak kalah hebatnya dengan tiga pulau kecil itu. Tak lengkapa rasanya jika tidak mencicipi Satai Rembiga jika kita berada di Lombok. Sate yang disajikan tanpa bumbu kacang ini memiliki rasa pedas yang khas karena cabai Lombok yang tersohor itu. Tempat menjualnya pun tidak jauh dari Selaparang, namun saya lupa nama jalannya tapi bisa anda tempuh dengan berjalan kaki dari bandara.

Setelah menyantap makanan ini jangan pula langsung menuju Gili, cobalah datangi pantai-pantai yang ada di Lombok, seperti Pantai Kuta di Lombok Timur atau Pantai Senggigi. Saya waktu itu memilih untuk pergi ke Senggigi karena searah dengan perjalanan menuju Gili. Senggigi seolah menjadi makanan pembuka sebelum kita sampai ke Gili, walaupun tergolong ramai untuk ukuran pantai rekreasi dikarenakan banyaknya hotel dan resort yang berada di pinggir pantai. Namun secara garis besar Senggigi tetap pantas sebagai sarana rekreasi pantai. Untuk mencapai Gili Trawangan pun bisa melalui Senggigi, namun kita harus menyewa kapal dari nelayan dengan ongkos berkisar antara 300 ribu untuk perjalanan pulang pergi.

Ketika berjalan menyisiri Senggigi, saya sempat memandang ke arah langit karena mendengar deruan suara jet dari pesawat komersil yang mungkin sedang melakukan approach sebelum mendarat di Selaparang, dan tendensasi pesawat tersebut seolah menggambar garis putih di langit biru yang cerah saat itu.

Selepas menyusuri Senggigi, saya pun melanjutkan perjalanan untuk menuju pelabuhan tempat kapal berlayar menuju GIli Trawangan. Dan lagi-lagi alam seolah tak bosan menunjukkan keindahannya padaku. Sebuah tanjung berpantai putih dan bukit muncul di salah satu belokan menuju pelabuhan. Perjalanan kembali terhenti untuk mengabadikan lanskap yang indah ini.

Akhirnya tiba juga saya di pelabuhan, pilihlah kapal angkut biasa yang langsugn menuju Gili Trawangan bertarif 10 ribu rupiah dengan catatan baru akan berangkat setelah jumlah penumpang dianggap penuh. Namun menunggu kapal penuh ternyata tidak selama yang kita kira. Atau jika anda bukan orang penyabar, maka anda bisa menyewa kapal milik nelayan untuk menuju ke sana dengan catatan ongkos yang dikeluarkan tentu jauh lebih besar dari kapal angkut biasa. Perjalanan dari pelabuhan ini menuju Gili Trawangan memakan waktu sekitar 1 jam, namun selama itu anda bisa melihat dua gili yang anda lewati dan pemandangan unik dari nelayan-nelayan yang hendak melaut. Lalu akhirnya.....

"Selamat Datang di Gili Trawangan" begitu tulisan di papan kayu panjang itu. Akhirnya setelah sekian lama rasa ingin tahu itu terpenuhi juga saat kaki ini menjejakan di pantai putih itu. Di salah satu sudut pantai kita dapat memandangi horizon tanpa batas, tidak ada pulau, tidak ada gedung bertingkat, hanya ada anda dan suasana yang serba biru. Berat rasanya kaki ini ketika meninggalkan gili, karena suatu saat nanti mungkin tak bisa kembali karena menemukan tambatan hati lain selain gili.