Lombok - Sumbawa

Untuk pertama kalinya  menginjakkan kaki di Bandar Udara Internasional Lombok atau dikenal sebagai BIL yang jaraknya dari kota Mataram cukup jauh, sebelumnya ketika ke Lombok pesawat yang kutumpangi masih  mendarat di Bandara Selaparang di kota Mataram yang kini tidak difungsikan lagi.

Namanya saja Bandara Internasional ya jelaslah bandara ini lebih oke dibanding dengan bandara Selaparang, hanya jaraknya memang jauh diluar kota Mataram.

Dari BIL kita bisa naik taksi atau bus Damri (kapasitas 27 penumpang) ke Mataram. Aku pilih naik Damri saja dengan harga tiket rp 15,000/orang, cukup nyaman kok.

Panca Sari Travel

Karena tujuannya adalah Pulau Sumbawa maka dari Pool Damri kemudian naik taksi ke pool sebuah travel yaitu travel Panca Sari, yang akan membawa kami ke Sumbawa. Tarif dari mobil travel ini ada dua pillihan yaitu rp 100,000,- (3 penumpang/baris) atau rp 130,000 (2 penumpang/baris). Dari kota Mataram menuju ke dermaga ferry di Pelabuhan Kayangan ditempuh sekitar 2 jam. Dari sini mobil kami harus menunggu antrian naik ferry untuk menyebrangi selat Alas menuju dermaga Poto Tano di Pulau Sumbawa Menunggunya cukup lama, sehingga kami kehilangan momen untuk dapat menikmati pemandangan selat Alas yang katanya indah itu karena baru kebagian ferry sekitar jam 8 malam. Lombok-Sumbawapun ditempuh dalam waktu 10 jam. Sekitar 2 jam Mataram-Kayangan, 2 jam menyebrangi selat Alas, 2 jam Poto Tano ke kota Sumbawa, sisanya ya menunggu ferry di Kayangan.
Berangkat dari Mataram pukul 2 siang dan tiba di Hotel jam 12 tengah malam. 

Dermaga Ferry Kayangan

Tambora Hotel, bukan Gunung Tambora

Sumbawa Island’s terrain is rough and mountainous; it does not have the fertile plain that central-south Lombok has. As with Lombok’s Rinjani, Mt. Tambora is a significant feature of Sumbawa Island. In fact, Tambora’s eruptions of 1815 was one the most dramatic in the world’s history. However, it is not linked directly to the water and agricultural of Sumbawa like on Lombok. Sumbawa’s other active volcano, Mt. Sangeang, is an isolated island which erupted last in 1985 forcing the evacuation of the island’s inhabitants. On a map, the outline of the island in contorted by canoes, peninsula and deeply cut bays. Some 85% of Sumbawa is too mountainous to farm, but the rich volcanic soil of the river valleys such as near Bima, Dompu, and Sape, yield rich crops. However the extensive dry land areas found particularly in Sumbawa Regency provide good grazing land for cattle, goats and horses. 

In Sumbawa, the most significant tourism and recreational activity is found in the southern coastal area: surfing, followed by fishing. Surfers from overseas, particularly Australia, United Started, Europe and Brazil are regular visitors. The accommodation for marine tourist has improved significantly in recent years. However, many come by charter boats from Lombok and particularly, Bali. 

Istana Dalam Loka yang merupakan istana kuno kerajaan Sumbawa di Kota Sumbawa

 

bukan dari Sumbawa namanya kalau pulang gak nenteng madu sama susu kuda liar

The two prominent ethnic groups on the island are the Samawa who mainly reside in the West Sumbawa/ Sumbawa District (east) and the Mbojo who live in the Bima and Dompu District (west). These groups both share a belief in Islam, but are differentiated by their local languages, customs, and traditions. Despite the different religion and belief systems of this diverse population, they live side by side in mutual respect and harmony. In addition, there is evidence of past Hindu presence as well as the influence of Bugis people (from Makasar, Sulawesi) on the island. Furthermore, Sasak (from Lombok) and Balinese migrants have moved into    West Sumbawa.