Saturday, January 5, 2008

KILOMETER NOL (9) :FROM SABANG WITH LOVE

KILOMETER NOL (9): FROM SABANG WITH LOVE

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

KILOMETER NOL REPUBLIK INDONESIA, SABANG-NANGGROE ACEH DARUSSALAM



Image hosted by Photobucket.com

DARI SISI SEBELAH KIRI TUGU KILOMETER NOL REPUBLIK INDONESIA TERLIHAT PEMANDANGAN KE ARAH SAMUDERA HINDIA, DARI KEJAUHAN TERLIHAT PULAU BREUEH.

: :  W E L C O M E  -  S A B A N G T o u r i s m  : :
FROM SABANG WITH LOVE
Welcome Pulau Weh ( Weh Island ) is the first island of the Indonesian archipelago, just of Banda Aceh, the capital of the province of Aceh ( Daerah Istimewa Aceh ). Long the most loved island in Sumatra, not only for its beaches, coral reefs, forests, scenery, and history, but also for its very sociable and welcoming inhabitants.

Coming to Sabang is like traveling into a different time, with its old buildings and unique atmosphere. it is also like traveling in a different world, the underwaterworld. The coral gardens of Weh are well-known for their beauty. Sabang is truly an unspoiled place, far away, but so easy to reach.
UNDERWATER PANORAMA
The under sea miracle can be found from the around sabang to the island around Weh Island. Pulau Rubiah with its coral sea garden is very famous abroad. Based on the story, there is a species of fish that you can not find in other sea garden in the world. Around the sea garden you can rent the diving and snorkelling stuffs worked by the locals.Coral Reefs Fish

For many visitors, the underwater world is the main attraction. The coral reefs are well known for their beauty. The reefs between Pulau Rubiah and Iboih; in front of Gapang; and near Lhueng Angein are great for snorkeling. There are however, many other coral reefs for more extended snorkeling holidays, even in the vicinity of the harbor bay!

Brilliantly colored fish including the coral and angel fish, the parrot fish, the putter and ballon, are easy to spot in the clear, shallow water. Large sea fans and honeymoon coral are also plentifull. Octopus and giant clams are occasional sightings. Snorkeling equipment is for rent everywhere.

Diving in Pulau Weh is really recomended, especially at the small pulau Seulako. Modern diving equipment and experienced instructors are waiting for you at Iboih. Just visit the diving centers there or in town.

Whale Sharks (up 8 meters) and Manta Rays may be the greatest attraction of the Pulau Weh underwater world. Normally in January and February, Sabang is visited by these great creatures. The harbor bay is a perfect place to join these unaggresive sea creatures for a swim!
DIVING & SNORKELING
For many visitors, the underwater world is the main attraction. The coral reefs are well known for their beauty. The reefs between Pulau Rubiah and Iboih; in front of Gapang; and near Lhueng Angein are great for snorkeling. There are however, many other coral reefs for more extended snorkeling holidays, even in the vicinity of the harbor bay!
Rubiah Under Water

Brilliantly colored fish including the coral and angel fish, the parrot fish, the putter and ballon, are easy to spot in the clear, shallow water. Large sea fans and honeymoon coral are also plentifull. Octopus and giant clams are occasional sightings.
Snorkeling equipment is for rent everywhere.

Diving in Pulau Weh is really recomended, especially at the small pulau Seulako. Modern diving equipment and experienced instructors are waiting for you at Iboih. Just visit the diving centers there or in town.

Whale Sharks (up 8 meters) and Manta Rays may be the greatest attraction of the Pulau Weh underwater world. Normally in January and February, Sabang is visited by these great creatures. The harbor bay is a perfect place to join these unaggresive sea creatures for a swim!
BEYOND THE BEACHES
Pulau Weh is a mountainous island covered partly by primary and secondary jungle and partly by plantations. The northwestern tip of Weh, north of Iboih, is covered by a dense bird and reptile-rich protected forest. The point it self is the "zero" point of Indonesia. It is here that the great wonders start.
Iboih Forest
Teluk SabangGua Sarang

Trekking and walking are recommended and there are several unusual places to visit; for example, the small volcano in the jungle behind Jaboi , the boling mud near Pria Laot , the amazing caves south of Lhueng Angein and the serene waterfall south of Pria Laot. There are four Lakes in Pulau Weh. Aneuk Laot is the largest and serves as a water reservoir for Sabang. There are many more natural treasures, just waiting to be discovered by you.
POPULAR BEACHES
There are plenty of beaches in the island of Weh , each of them with very different characters. They even change with the seasons over the year .
The beach of Iboih facing Pulau Rubiah ( Rubiah Island ) is famous for its protected sea garden with its vast array of tropical marine life. Iboih is a social and lively place, with diving facilities and a wide range of cozy bungalows clinging to the hillside overlooking the beach, the coral reefs and Pulau Rubiah.

Pantai Gapang is a quieter and more peaceful place with romantic bungalows and coral reefs rich in fish. Hawk Bill Turtles are always a safe beet when snorkeling in Gapang. It's strategically located within walking distance of both Iboih and Pantai Lhueng Angein .

The most secluded beach is Lhueng Angein ( Also wrongly called Wind Long Beach ). This beach is seasonal and just irresistible between November and June with its lovely sand, dotted with smooth rocks. There are simple accommodations in two different spots, and even a coral reef for snorkeling.

If You want to watch sunset in Weh Island, here is the righ location to enjoy the sunset slowly. Lhung Angen Beach is about 2 km from the road between Gapang and Iboih beaches. Walking through Lhung Angen Beach to the south you will see Gua Sarang (Swallow Nest Cave) which amazes the Tourists. The distance between Gua sarang to Lhung Angen Beach is about 250 M. You can stay in lhung Angen Beach in the bungalows belong to Mantaray restourant and another bungalows.
Pulau Klah
Klah Island
Iboih BeachIboih Beach
Teluk Pria Laot
Teluk Pria Laot
Sumur Tiga Beach
Sumur Tiga Beach
Fishermen's  Beach at Imeule
Fishermen`s Boat at Imeule Beach
TOURISM INFORMATION

Tourism Centre of Sabang
Sabang Tourism Office ( Dinas Pariwisata Sabang )
Address : Jl.Diponegoro No.19
Sabang - Indonesia
Telp : 62-652-22208

How To Reach Sabang
Sabang is another world, but so easy to reach. Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh, and the taking off point for Weh, has direct flight connections from Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and from Medan and many major cities in Indonesia. For overland traveling there are modern non-stop night buses from Medan and sample connections from other directtions, for example, the scenic west and south coasts of Aceh or the central higlands of aceh and Gunung Leuser National Park.
From Banda Aceh there are frequent minibuses to nearby Krueng Raya harbor where you can catch a ferry for two hour ride to the horbor of Balohan in Pulau Weh. From Balohan you take one of the waiting minibuses or taxis to Sabang town and onward in a pick-up truck to any of the popular beaches and their accommodations.

GOING AROUND THE ISLAND

Going around the island of Weh on bicycle is a breath-taking experience, not only for the steep hills, but also for the spectacular scenery. Motor bikes or cars also available for faster and less exhausting travel. These facilities can be rented from townspeople. If you prefer taking local transportation, pick-up trucks ply the main destinations of the island, especially between the town and the beach resorts.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD

In the beaches of Iboih, Gapang and Lhueng Angein you will find your ideal bungalow at a very reasonable cost, either right on the beach or a bit up the hillside with a grand view over Sabang Bay or the Indian Ocean. Iboih has more bungalows with an attached bathroom. Gapang has good bungalows and hotel, has a more tranquil atmosphere. The most secluded beach of Lhueng Angein has two resorts with different standards. Inexpensive and delicious meals are served at each of the beach locaations. The town of Sabang offers four losmens ( small hotels ), from very basic to standard. They are all conveniently located in the town center.

Accomodations:

There are some places to saty in this beautiful island (Sabang):
1. Samudra Hotel
2. Sabang Meurauke Losmen
3. Irma Losmen
4. Holiday Losmen
5. Pulau Jaya Losmen
6. Pantai Kasih Guest House

There are some other Bungalows in Iboih which managed by local people themselves.
They are:
1 .Mama bungalow.
2. Fatima bungalow
3. O’ong bungalow
4. Etc.
At Lhung Angen: There are Mantaray Bungalow and Restourant
At Gapang: There are some cottages built by local goverment and manage particularly, The fasilities are: Meeting room and tera restourant. The rooms are full of air conditioner, shortly the facilities are very complete.
Dive Centre: Iboih beach has rental diving equipments that run perfectly by rubiah tirta diver. This bussiness is also can get other informetions at stingray dive centre, and other centre nemed is Lumba-lumba (Dolphin) Centre in Gapang. It is runned by the foreigner.

>>Stingray Dive Centre
Address : Jl.Teuku Umar No.3
Sabang-Indonesia
Telp: 62-652-21265
Fax : 62-652-21333

>>Dolphine Dive Centre
Address : Gapang Beach Sabang - Indonesia
Transportations: The transportions on this weh island is limited to reach each distination (touris area) some people have to walk, some use motor bike, Cars and Boat Charter. It depend on the object you want to visit, but for these who likes challanging it is interesting.
The Tranquil Gapang
The Seceluded Lhueng Angein
Cottages At Gapang
HISTORY

"Weh"
is Acehnese word and means "to separate" or "away from". in the beginning of the last century, weh was discovered by the Europeans. In 1819 Sir Stamford Raffles wrote: "There is a fine harbor on the northern side of Pulau Weh, the best in the Acehnese dominions and until this period unknown to Europeans."

This part of the town in Sabang is very picturesque with all its colonial homes where once the dutch live in grandeur. To feel history and bygone times is very easy in sabang. Not only the old office buildings and colonial residences give a special character to Sabang, but also the huge shady trees that were imported from South America and planted in beginning of this century.

Heritage of Sabang

Heritage of Sabang

When Weh Island was settled by Japan in 1942 many bunkers were built here. They were built in very strategic and beautiful places. One of the bunkers which is visited by many Tourists is the one in Anoi Itam and the biggest one is in Cot Ba'u. In this bunker you can see to all directions. This bunker was used by Japanese to watch the enemies who came in to Sabang Bay. The Scenery around this bunker is very beautiful but not so many people know it.
WASSALAM
RACHMAD YULIADI NASIR
rachmad_poltektk93 at yahoo dot com

www.sabangfreeport.blogspot.com
www.rachmadpoltektk93.blogspot.com