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Kuta Beach
South Lombok
Kuta beach
south Lombok. The best-known place on the south coast is Lombok's Kuta
Beach (Sometime spelt Kute Beach), a magnificent stretch of
white sand and blue sea with rugged hills rising around it,
but not much else.
It very small development with far fewer tourist than in
famous Kuta Beach on Bali, but there are big plans to
develop a whole stretch of the superb south coast with
luxury hotels.
After many years of speculation there are signs something is
happening, with the road from Praya completely remade and
big new road running to as yet undeveloped beaches.
Meanwhile, the low budget Losmen at Kuta are all on limited
leases, and seem to trying to get maximum income from
minimum investment-some of theme are looking decidedly
squalid.
Travelers are reporting some hassles here too. People flock
to Kuta for the annual Nyale fishing celebration. Usually
falling in February or March each year, with thousands
sleeping on the beach. The main tourist season is August and
for the rest of year it’s very quite.
INFORMATION
You can change money at Segara Anak Bungalows, but the rates
are not very good. Wisma Segara Anak is a the postal agent
and has a booking desk for Perama Shuttle Bus.
SURFING
Plenty of good waves break on the reefs around here – many
supposedly “Secret”. There are lefts and rights in the bay
in front of Kuta, and some more on reefs east of Tanjung
Aan. Local boatman will take you out for a few thousands
rupiah. Go about seven km east of the Kuta to the fishing
village of Gerupuk, where there are several potential breaks
on the reefs at the entrance of Gerupuk Bay. Again access is
by local fishing boat. There’s more breaks
further east and west, from Blongas
to Serewi, but nearly all require a
boat: the charter rate is about
150.000 to 250.000 rp per day.
Bigger yacht from Bali do surf
charters along the whole of LOMBOK
south coast.
PLACES TO STAY
- The Novotel Coralia
-
Tastur a Boutique Resort
-
Kuta Indah Hotel & Restaurant
-
Matahari Inn
-
Cockato Kuta - Bungalows & Restaurant
-
Anda Restaurant & Cottages
-
Pondok Sekar Kuning Cottages & Restaurant.
-
Pondok Rinjani Agung Cottages & Restaurant
-
Pondok Sekar Kuning (Yellow Flower cottages)
-
Perama Office - Segara Anak Bungalows & Restaurant
Nyale Fishing Festival
On the 19th day of the 10th month in Sasak
Calendar-generally February or march-hundreds of Sasak
gather on the beach. When night falls, fires a built and the
young people sit around competing with each other in rhyming
couplets called Pantun. At dawn the next day, the first
Nyale a caught, after which it is time for the Sasak
teenagers to have fun. In colorful procession boys and girls
sail out to sea – in different boats - chase one another
with lots of noise and laughter. The worm-like nyale fish
are eaten raw or grilled, and are believed to have
aphrodisiac properties. A good catch is a sign that the rice
harvest will also be good. |
