KUTA AND THE SUBLIME SOUTH COAST

KUTA AND THE SUBLIME SOUTH COAST

South Lombok is a region on the move and it’s easy to see why so many people are investing here.the south coast has views the inspire – and leaves visitorsnfro around the world speechless at the sublime panoramic beuty that unfolds beach after beutiful beach.

Tourist are drawn to the stunning beaches of the south coast for the pure white sands and the crystal clear oceans.as well as some of the best surf breaks in Indonesia.

Kuta (sometimes spelt kute) is the main town and tourism center on the south coast of Lombok,and is the hub for exploring the fantastic southern beaches and the many place of interest in the region.

The Lombok International Airport (locally known as BIL) is the only commercial airport on Lombok and is located just 25 minute drive north of kuta,making access to the south very easy.

Located around 60 km south Mataram,and about one and a half hour’s drive from Senggigi,Kuta maks for a wonderful day trip from other points in Lombok,or an alternative hoidat destination for travellers  xploring Lombok.Major roads have been upgraded and th main road to Kuta is very good.

The proximity to the airport ha sparked an investment boomin the area over the past couple of years and kuta has blossomed,with many new hotels.restaurant and cafes catering to increased numbers of tourists.

The proposed Mandalika Resort development,with its plans for luxuryhotels,villas and supporting facilities on over 1000 hectares of prime beach land,will futher transform the south coastbin coming years.

But for now,the south is uncroweded,pristine and spectacular.

The drive down to the south coast is an interesting rular tour trough small  villages and farming communities.fields of tobacco,corn and peanuts line the roadsides and farmers till the field using antiquted ploughs pulled by large water buffalo.

Just before arriving in Kuta,the road passes two traditional Sasak Village – Sade and Rambitan,a village that caters to tourists and has authentic clusters of thatched lumbung,or rice barns,and traditional homes made of thatch and bamboo.with hardened com and buffalo dung floors.

Nearby .on the hilltop,is one of the oldest mosques in Lombok,Masjid Kuno.the small building with a thatched roof is considered holy and many believers make pilgrimages to pray here.

Slightly further south is Sade,a hilltop village with more Lumbung and traditional homes.both villages have been renovated and cater to the tourist market,but are still interesting examples of traditional Sasak architecture and communal living within the compounds,where life continues as it has for centuries.

Resident,who act as guides for a small fee,encourage walks trough either of these villages and are happy to share a glimpse or thir lifestyles with visitors.

Kuta itself is a small town that is transforming every year.in the past,it offered mainly home- stays and backpacker’s hotels catering to the thousand of surfers from around the world who are drawn to the area every year to surf the left- and right-hand breaks out in the bay.

These days,there is a good variety of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes,plus many restaurant amd tourist facilities.with investment taking off,more option are opening all the time.

At present,Kuta boasts just one luxury resort:the Novotel Lombok.the Novotel has a range of accomadation,from comfortable hotel rooms to spacious suites and luxurious  villas,som with  private swimming pools.

Designed to blend in with the environment,and with a stunning beachfront location,the Novotel is wonderful example of traditional Sasak architecture.

Kuta attracts thousand of visitors every year for the great surf location at Gerupuk,Ekas and beaches to the east.it’s easy to hire board and a surf guide from here to learn surfing or,for experienced surfers,to access the more challenging surf break in the area.

First-timers to Kuta can benefit from an orientation tour operated by Mimpi Manis Homestay in kuta.

The long-esteblished guest house is popular with budget travelers not just for the good value accommodation,but also for the local knowledge the expat British and Baliness cople freely shares with anyone visiting Kuta.

Orientation tours are also available to outside guest and usually include a tour of Kuta and its main attractions,as well as visits to nearby Seger bBeach and Tanjung Aan.

Other tours can be arranged to take in your particular interests,as well as transfers,car and motorbike rental,Rinjani trekking and more.Mimpi Manis also runs “Shore Thing” fishing trips and boats tours at reasonable rates.visit their website for details:www.mimpimanis.com

Otherwise,hire a car or motorbike and you can spen days visiting beautiful,mainly dsertd beaches,both to the east and west of Kuta.

Just east of Kuta is Seger Beach (sometimes call Mandalika Beach,after the legendary princess Mandalika – a beloved character in Sasak folklore who is believed to have sacrificed herself for the good of her people from the rocks overlooking the beach).

It is here that thousands of people gather every year to celebrate the color ritual of Bau Nyale,when masses of sea worms spawnin the waters offshore.

There are great views from the beach and even better views if you climb the surrounding hills.there are small stalls selling drinks and snacks to enjoy after taking a swim or a stroll to enjoy the views.

The government has built a rather ugly building here to host the annual Bau Nyale Festival but nearby there is a lovely monument in the bay commemorating the Mandalika Legend.

Tanjung Aan,around 5kms east of Kuta,is a long picturesque beach with a wide sweep of white sand,perfect aquamarine water and shady trees on the shore.

At the far west end is “Waung Turle”,a charming beach café that sells cold drinks and beer,as well as surprisingly good meals.

Guests are welcome to relax on the sun lounges on the beach in front of Warungturtle and spend the day swimming in the calm waters.dine on the beachfront or in the shade of the café.the fresh grilled fish and the Chicken in Red Sauce are both highly recommended.

The Warung has snorkeling enquipment,surfboards and stand-up paddle boards for hire and the local  owner,Herman,is afrindly host with a wealth ot information to help make the most of your visit.

Further east is Gerupuk – well known as a top surf location and situated on a peninsula of land that just out into the ocean,with stunning views of the sea,and the surrounding islands and bays.there is a good surf school here and no fewer than five surf breaks.

The beaches and scenery continue all the way to the east coast,with fantastic places such as Bumbang,Awang Bay,Ekas and Pantai Sorga (heaven beach)…the name says it all!

At Bumbang,Bumbangku Beach cottages has simple thatched cottages and comfortabke brick deluxe rooms right on a beutiful deserted beach.

There is a good restaurant,servingfresh fish and seafood caught by local fisherman,and easy access to the best surfing spots nearby.

Further east,heaven on the planet and ocean heaven (collectively known as HOTPlanet) offers accommodation,a restauranr,swimming poll,a spa and wellness center and a host of water activities such as surfing,snorkeling ,kayaking,wind-surfing and more.

Heading west from Kuta are another series ofbeutiful beaches and bays hidden behind headlands and rollinh hills,providing peaceful and secluded spots for picnics and swimming.all are within easy day trips of Kuta.

Mawun Beach is around 30 minutes drive to the west and is an almost circular bay with small green headlands rolling into the ocean from either side.it is a spectacular beach with calm blue waters,perfct for swimming and spending a day lazing on the white sand.

Mawi,around another 7km to the west,has good right-and left-hand barrels for surfing when the swell is large enough.at other times,it is a lovely beach with impressive views of Gili Lawang just offshore;look for the three startling pinnacles of rock jutting out of the ocean.Selong Belanak is a long sweeping bay framed on each end by headlands and surrounded by rolling hills.Sempiak Villas has plush villas perched on the hillside overlooking the bay with breath- taking panoramic views.

Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant at sempiak Villas is a popar place for a stop – and justifies a day trip in itself – seving fresh and delicious snacks and meals trouhgout the day in a pretty restaurant in the beach.spend a day exploring the area,with lunch and a swim here as the highlights of your trip.

Futher west are picturesque Sepi and Blongas bays,and many more scenic beaches along the way;all are mostly deserted.

The road deteriorates rapidly and the going can be rough at times.for exploring this remote area it’s best to use an experienced local guide with a good vehicle.

Steeped in history and legend,surrounded by beaches of almost surreal beuty,the south coast is a fascinating area to visit,whether your interests are historical,cultue or just th opportunity to see and explore some of the most beautiful and pristine coastal scenery in Indonesia.