My adventure to Sumbawa began with a confusing conclusion between
Sumbawa and Sumba Island. at first, I keep thinking both are the same
island, obviously, Sumbawa is an Island of West Nusa Tenggara while
Sumba located at East Nusa Tenggara.. Similar name but the place is so
far...
Meanwhile, I'm getting interest with one program called "Kelas Inspirasi" where I became a volunteer and teaching a student at secluded village. We can register ourselves on various city and Island depend with our choice. Throught this program, I got a chance for travelling Sumbawa Island, make a good memories and a new fantastic friend.
Sumbawa become my choice because of my curiousity and this place is easy to reach from Lombok. There are many transportation that can be used from Lombok, such as :
1. Using airplane, the fastest transportation but more expensive
2. There are many travel cars going to Sumbawa from Mataram, capital city of Lombok. Price is around 100 - 120 thousand rupiah. Check the schedule of this travel, normally they just have 3 until 4 schedule
3. Rent a car with a driver or by yourself, or driving with motorbike
4. Using Damri Bus at Sweta, price is 70 thousand for economy, and 90 thousand for a bus with AC. Damri just have 3 schedule at 10 am, 5 pm, and 10 pm.
Because of my schedule, the only choice I have is using a Damri. We started from Sweta and going to Kayangan Harbour to get on a Fery (big ship). This Fery is crossing a Selat Alas and arrive at Pototano Harbour in Sumbawa. If you going in the noon at 1 or 2 am, you'll get a chance seeing a beautiful sunrise at pototano.
Well, Let's go to main topic.. So what's good from Sumbawa Island ?
actually, when I made an Itinerary for Sumbawa, I don't have so much plan, what's on my list just kenawa Island with savannah view and Moyo Island, the rest is I wish my friend which is local people can show me a good places there. Fortunately, I got it.
I don't get a chance going to Kenawa and Moyo Island because of my time limit but I visit another island that also worthied because of the view and scenery. Here is some place I reccomended :
Gili Keramat
Same like Lombok, gili means small island, and there are many beautiful small island in Lombok and Sumbawa. Every gili has their own unique, ready to make you speechless. Gili keramat became our choice because of a fisherman told us about an amazing view of undersea. Tempted by his word, we decide to see it through our eye. We go to Labu Pade and rent a speedboat.
The speedboat man told us which just part of his promotion that next to Gili Keramat, there is Gili Bedil. If you wanna going to both island and return to labu pade, price will be 350 thousand, and for one island will be 250 thousand. It's hard to decide, that's why we need some break at gazibu, eating a fresh seafood first then the decision coming.. One island is enough. Keramat Island is a result of our long discussion.
Like what a fisherman said, Gili Keramat has a wonderful view. By the time I arrived at this island, it got my heart.
Not just a beach, gili Keramat have a lot view that will make you mesmerized. we took many photos in this island, at the small bridge, at savannah, and our favorit at the sea. yuhuuu
This is a photo at a bridge, one side facing a sea, the other is a yellow savannah.
This island really quiet, 3 hours we are here, Nobody is coming, just our group playing. Feels like our private island. Unfortunately I can't explore more about this island, our speedboat pick us and bring us back to Labu Pade.
Bungin Island
I am coming to this island because someone told me about floating cafe in the sea even she showing me a photo and it really looks interesting. after some preparation, we going to Bungin Island that located at Teluk Alas. We drove for 1 hours started from Utan. Bungin is a small island with a large population, surrounded by a sea, they have no plant or grass, so don't be surprise if you see a goat eating a cardboard. Actually the goat here is eating a rice or bread, for a cardboard, they just chewing and then throw it. Because of large amount of people living in this island, some are lack of land. The local people which is an indigenous tribe from Sulawesi expanding the land by adding a feces of cow, plastic and coral together. Then, they built a wood house at the top of a land. People here care and really protecting their sea, it's really easy seeing a fish and coral without any equipment. When we enjoy watching the fish, a boat from floating cafe pick us. This boat is a free accomodation for getting there.
This cafe is unique, its built in the middle of the sea, and also has a Marine Aquaculture to protect and cultivate shark, turtle, starfish and every protected fish.
Before taking a photos, we order some dish first. Seafood here is really fresh, they fishing it directly from the sea. I think this Floating cafe is really a good idea. Visitor and customer can learn a lot about the fish, seeing how they live and even you can snorkeling here while you waiting your food. Just pay Rp 30.000,00 for renting a snorkeling equipment. If you don't want snorkeling, you can sit in a spot they prepare for customer, of course there is no table and chair, this is one of tradition in Indonesia where you eat on the floor that coated by mattress. It makes us getting close to each other.
For a food, we order a crab, prawn and fish menu with different variety of sauces. I really like the prawn, it's so delicious, big prawn with spicy sauce and fresh from the ocean. !!
Mantar Peak / Puncak Mantar
Do you ever see a Doraemon movie's : Kingdom of the Clouds ? At Sumbawa, you wouldn't find a kingdom, instead a Village of the clouds. Mantar Village located at West Sumbawa with the height is 660 mdpl. for getting here, we would passing a Tapir Village and rent a pick up car Rp 20.000,00 per person that will bring us to the top which is Mantar Peak.
we also got a chance talking with local people that tell us many stories about the village. The people believe in this village must has 7 albino people. When another albino born, the other will be died. Not only that, Local People here still has a strong tradition about mystical things. So, please watch out your words and your action, honour the elder and keep being friendly with local people.
Mantar peak is famous for a camping site. there is a place to rent a tent and all the equipment in the top. When sunrise comes, you will get a view of cotton clouds. This is a reason why people called it Village of the clouds. I came here just a few hours before sunset time and a bit cloudy, so a view from above of Sumbawa is so clear. I saw Pototano harbour and Paserang Island. When the weather is good, this place open for a paragliding activity.
Festival Moyo Sumbawa 2016
By the time we came to Sumbawa, There is a big festival that held at all district of Sumbawa for 23 days. Each day have a schedule for many event. Curious about this event, we came to one district near Utan that has a buffalo racing. The winner of this game will get a spring bed and a certain amount of money. Seeing how people riding their own buffalo and running in the top of mud stage. Buffalo is a quiet scary animal when they are running. Some of participant are losing because they getting thrown from the buffalo back.
Ahh.. even one participant gave me a chance riding his buffalo.. without even thinking I said yes, and they help me. I gave my phone to my friend and we take a picture with the buffalo. hahaha 😎
That's all a place I can suggest, actually Sumbawa has many beautiful places to visit. I wish I have more time, or I get another chance for visit Sumbawa. Some already in my list like Paserang Island, Kenawa Island, Moyo Island, Mountain Tambora and Loka Palace that located at Sumbawa Besar.
Before I finish this blog, I still have something to share about traditional food at Sumbawa. Indonesia is rich country, the richest of Indonesia can be taste from it food. Every city in Indonesia has their special food, Let's look what Sumbawa has.
Traditional Food of Sumbawa
Meanwhile, I'm getting interest with one program called "Kelas Inspirasi" where I became a volunteer and teaching a student at secluded village. We can register ourselves on various city and Island depend with our choice. Throught this program, I got a chance for travelling Sumbawa Island, make a good memories and a new fantastic friend.
Sumbawa become my choice because of my curiousity and this place is easy to reach from Lombok. There are many transportation that can be used from Lombok, such as :
1. Using airplane, the fastest transportation but more expensive
2. There are many travel cars going to Sumbawa from Mataram, capital city of Lombok. Price is around 100 - 120 thousand rupiah. Check the schedule of this travel, normally they just have 3 until 4 schedule
3. Rent a car with a driver or by yourself, or driving with motorbike
4. Using Damri Bus at Sweta, price is 70 thousand for economy, and 90 thousand for a bus with AC. Damri just have 3 schedule at 10 am, 5 pm, and 10 pm.
Because of my schedule, the only choice I have is using a Damri. We started from Sweta and going to Kayangan Harbour to get on a Fery (big ship). This Fery is crossing a Selat Alas and arrive at Pototano Harbour in Sumbawa. If you going in the noon at 1 or 2 am, you'll get a chance seeing a beautiful sunrise at pototano.
Well, Let's go to main topic.. So what's good from Sumbawa Island ?
actually, when I made an Itinerary for Sumbawa, I don't have so much plan, what's on my list just kenawa Island with savannah view and Moyo Island, the rest is I wish my friend which is local people can show me a good places there. Fortunately, I got it.
I don't get a chance going to Kenawa and Moyo Island because of my time limit but I visit another island that also worthied because of the view and scenery. Here is some place I reccomended :
Gili Keramat
Same like Lombok, gili means small island, and there are many beautiful small island in Lombok and Sumbawa. Every gili has their own unique, ready to make you speechless. Gili keramat became our choice because of a fisherman told us about an amazing view of undersea. Tempted by his word, we decide to see it through our eye. We go to Labu Pade and rent a speedboat.
The speedboat man told us which just part of his promotion that next to Gili Keramat, there is Gili Bedil. If you wanna going to both island and return to labu pade, price will be 350 thousand, and for one island will be 250 thousand. It's hard to decide, that's why we need some break at gazibu, eating a fresh seafood first then the decision coming.. One island is enough. Keramat Island is a result of our long discussion.
Like what a fisherman said, Gili Keramat has a wonderful view. By the time I arrived at this island, it got my heart.
Not just a beach, gili Keramat have a lot view that will make you mesmerized. we took many photos in this island, at the small bridge, at savannah, and our favorit at the sea. yuhuuu
This is a photo at a bridge, one side facing a sea, the other is a yellow savannah.
Satisfied
with this side, I decided, It's time for playing with water. Heart
can't lie, it knows really well what it wants. In front of my eyes, a
crystal clear water become a perfect match with a blue sky and a white
sandy beach.
This island really quiet, 3 hours we are here, Nobody is coming, just our group playing. Feels like our private island. Unfortunately I can't explore more about this island, our speedboat pick us and bring us back to Labu Pade.
Bungin Island
I am coming to this island because someone told me about floating cafe in the sea even she showing me a photo and it really looks interesting. after some preparation, we going to Bungin Island that located at Teluk Alas. We drove for 1 hours started from Utan. Bungin is a small island with a large population, surrounded by a sea, they have no plant or grass, so don't be surprise if you see a goat eating a cardboard. Actually the goat here is eating a rice or bread, for a cardboard, they just chewing and then throw it. Because of large amount of people living in this island, some are lack of land. The local people which is an indigenous tribe from Sulawesi expanding the land by adding a feces of cow, plastic and coral together. Then, they built a wood house at the top of a land. People here care and really protecting their sea, it's really easy seeing a fish and coral without any equipment. When we enjoy watching the fish, a boat from floating cafe pick us. This boat is a free accomodation for getting there.
This cafe is unique, its built in the middle of the sea, and also has a Marine Aquaculture to protect and cultivate shark, turtle, starfish and every protected fish.
Before taking a photos, we order some dish first. Seafood here is really fresh, they fishing it directly from the sea. I think this Floating cafe is really a good idea. Visitor and customer can learn a lot about the fish, seeing how they live and even you can snorkeling here while you waiting your food. Just pay Rp 30.000,00 for renting a snorkeling equipment. If you don't want snorkeling, you can sit in a spot they prepare for customer, of course there is no table and chair, this is one of tradition in Indonesia where you eat on the floor that coated by mattress. It makes us getting close to each other.
For a food, we order a crab, prawn and fish menu with different variety of sauces. I really like the prawn, it's so delicious, big prawn with spicy sauce and fresh from the ocean. !!
Mantar Peak / Puncak Mantar
Do you ever see a Doraemon movie's : Kingdom of the Clouds ? At Sumbawa, you wouldn't find a kingdom, instead a Village of the clouds. Mantar Village located at West Sumbawa with the height is 660 mdpl. for getting here, we would passing a Tapir Village and rent a pick up car Rp 20.000,00 per person that will bring us to the top which is Mantar Peak.
we also got a chance talking with local people that tell us many stories about the village. The people believe in this village must has 7 albino people. When another albino born, the other will be died. Not only that, Local People here still has a strong tradition about mystical things. So, please watch out your words and your action, honour the elder and keep being friendly with local people.
Mantar peak is famous for a camping site. there is a place to rent a tent and all the equipment in the top. When sunrise comes, you will get a view of cotton clouds. This is a reason why people called it Village of the clouds. I came here just a few hours before sunset time and a bit cloudy, so a view from above of Sumbawa is so clear. I saw Pototano harbour and Paserang Island. When the weather is good, this place open for a paragliding activity.
Festival Moyo Sumbawa 2016
By the time we came to Sumbawa, There is a big festival that held at all district of Sumbawa for 23 days. Each day have a schedule for many event. Curious about this event, we came to one district near Utan that has a buffalo racing. The winner of this game will get a spring bed and a certain amount of money. Seeing how people riding their own buffalo and running in the top of mud stage. Buffalo is a quiet scary animal when they are running. Some of participant are losing because they getting thrown from the buffalo back.
Ahh.. even one participant gave me a chance riding his buffalo.. without even thinking I said yes, and they help me. I gave my phone to my friend and we take a picture with the buffalo. hahaha 😎
That's all a place I can suggest, actually Sumbawa has many beautiful places to visit. I wish I have more time, or I get another chance for visit Sumbawa. Some already in my list like Paserang Island, Kenawa Island, Moyo Island, Mountain Tambora and Loka Palace that located at Sumbawa Besar.
Before I finish this blog, I still have something to share about traditional food at Sumbawa. Indonesia is rich country, the richest of Indonesia can be taste from it food. Every city in Indonesia has their special food, Let's look what Sumbawa has.
Traditional Food of Sumbawa
Basically
because the position of Sumbawa that surrounded by the sea, the main
ingredient and the most important one is a fish and all kind of seafood.
There is a food named Singang and Sepat that you really must try
Singang : this is a fish curry of Sumbawa, for a yellow soup,
they put a kemangi leaves, red chilly, tamarind inside and the taste
will be sour spicy. When they don't have fish, they will replace it with
chicken.
Sepat : also with a fish as a main ingredient but some people will put a small crab also in the white soup.
Sumbawa
still has many traditional food, but I forget taking a photo of it, my
favorite snack here is "janda berendam" or soaking widow. really a funny
name but the taste is delicious. Try also a plecing kangkung, ayam
taliwang and milk candy..
here
some lunch menu I ate at Sumbawa, I wish I could go back there, thank
you for all my friend family that cooking this food.. 💓😘
Ahh.. If you wanna buy a gift from Sumbawa, there is some choices like goat milk and Sumbawa honey.. Try that !!
Alright..
I think that's all about my journey to Sumbawa, just a few days but it
become the special one. Thank you for all my friend that helping me in
this journey. I hope I get another chance visiting this place, because I
still have many destination on my list.. See you again ^^
