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| SPOTLIGHT | | Sand,
surf, adventure and more - Asia is the place for beach fun and island atmosphere.
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If you are looking for an interesting and exotic
escape from the stress and pressures of the hectic everyday world, this is the
place!!!! "Off the beaten path" is an understatement. Located
just 1 degree North of the Equator on the Northeastern tip of the Island of Sulawesi
, Volcano Beach is a working 13 hectare coconut plantation complete with private,
secluded and unspoilt tropical beach. Currently, there is only ONE cottage and
Camping Shelter on the beach, which are available for short or long-term rental.
Camping Trips, tours and trekking among other things can also be arranged through
us.
Future development is planned. Volcano Beach is also an excellent
destination for students or others to view a natural ecology. It is a very interesting
and beautiful beach. Unusual, in that it is flanked on each side by black volcanic
beaches, at Batu Putih to the East and Rondor to the west. What is not shown in
the pictures is the abundance of tropical sea life and beautiful coral of every
concieveable color located just off shore. Where the sand ends, the coral begins.
The snorkeling just off the beach is incredible. In fact, during the occasional
extra-low tide live coral is sometimes exposed. The beach itself is Sea Turtle
nesting area. Located approximately 2 km. to the East is Tangkoko Nature Preserve
which is home to a variety of Monkey species, including the Tarsius, and many
species of exotic Tropical Birds.
Why "Volcano Beach"? Well, eveidence of volcanic activity is visible everywhere. Ancient lava flows
are evident at both ends of the beach and volcanic rock can be seen both on the
beach and underwater. However, the real reason for the name "Volcano Beach"
is seen from a boat. When less than 1km offshore, three volcanos can be clearly
seen, "Kalabat" to the South and "Dua Saudara"(Two Brothers)to
the East.
Krakatau erupted in 1883, one of the most catastrophic natural
events in recorded history. The volcano literally blew itself apart, sending a
column of ash and stone 80 km, into the air. Ash fell on Singapore, and the entire
region was covered in darkness for two days. The volcanic dust in the atmosphere
circled the earth for three years, creating sensational sunsets. At that very
instant, Krakatau vanished as if devoured by the sea, causing formidable tidal
waves which in turn swept off just about everything alive from the surrounding
coastal areas. However, the disappereance of the gigantic Krakatau also meant
the birth of small islands in its place, one of which is called Anak Krakatau
or Krakatau's Child which is at present an extremely active young volcano. From
both West Java's West Coast and from Sumatra's Lampung Province, this young and
very active volcano is clearly visible. It is possible for boats to land on the
Eastern Shore of this young volcano, and depending on recent activity, you can
climb to the rim of the caldera. A boattrip to Anak Krakatau is worth the adventure.
PLACES
TO EAT Bring along lunch and refreshments, as it is hot and there is no
fresh water available on the island - all other supplies for the trip should be
brought with you. WHERE TO STAY There is no where to stay on
Anak Krakatau but there are a variety of places to stay on the mainland, Carita
Krakatau Beach, Anyer Beach, Mambruk, Merak Beach are some of the major hotels
along the coastal area that are recommended. GETTING AROUND To
Krakatau. Boats may be chartered to the four uninhabited islands of the anak Krakatau
from Labuan port. Arrangements can also be made through the hotels: Carita Krakatau
Beach, Anyer Beach, Mambruk, Merak Beach and some other major hotels along the
coastal area. As the trip takes four to five hours each way, the weather is hot
and there is no fresh water out there. Boats may be chartered to the four uninhabited
islands of the Krakatau group from Labuan (Anyer - West Java). The cost depends
on the chartered boats, from small fishing craft up to a motorized fiberglass
launch that can carry up to 10 people. Arrangement can be made through any hotels
or at the port. Most visitors land at the eastern side of Anak Krakatau, climb
up to the top of the first ridge for a view into the smoking crater and across
to the other three islands. The trip is not recommended during the rainy season,
(November to March) when the seas are rough. ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Most visitors land at the eastern side of Anak Krakatau, climb up to the top of
the first ridge for a view into the smoking crater and across to the other three
islands. This is a good place for walking and taking photographs. | |
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Top Beaches |
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Pasir
Putih beach |
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Pasir Putih beach is located
near to the Samudra Pulau Baii harbor. The distance is about 19 km away from the
center of Bengkulu city. The road condition in this area is good. This place could
be reached by any kind of four-wheel vehicles. The beach condition is clean with
its white sand and, spruce-fir grows along the coast. |
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Bira
Beach |
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Shallow water off the beach
is safe for swimming, ending in a coral wall dropping into the depths about 150m
from shore. Snorkellers can see turtles and manta rays here, with exciting diving
deeper down featuring strong currents, cold water and big sharks. |
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Bali Beach |
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With its fine beaches,
pounding surf, emerald-green rice terraces and exceptionally artistic culture,
the small volcanic island of Bali - the only Hindu society in Southeast Asia -
has long been Indonesia's premier tourist destination. |
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Pantai Panjang Beach |
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Pantai Panjang
beach is only 3 km from the center of Bengkulu City. The Beach is seven kilimeters
in length with the width of 500 meters in hotmix street. Many public transportation
to and from the beach are available. There are spruce-fir grows along the beach.
The restaurants and hotel facilities are also available. |
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Padang Bai Beach |
| Several places in
Padang Bai rent out snorkelling equipment: there's good snorkelling at Blue Lagoon,
just around the headland in Amuk Bay, but it's even better to charter a boat;
ask at Celagi restaurant or your guesthouse. The dive operation, Geko Dive, is
a large set-up on Jalan Silayukti with a lot of experience. |
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Pulau Bintan Beach |
| - Situated less
than 10km from Batam at the closest point, Pulau Bintan is about two and a half
times the size of Singapore, which seems to have left plenty of room for traditional
culture to survive alongside the plush tourist development. Not only is it more
attractive than other nearby islands, but there's much more of an Indonesian feel
about the place and things are reasonably priced. |
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Lovina Beach |
| Lovina stretches along
8km of black-sand beach, the largest resort in Bali outside the Kuta-Legian-Seminyak
conurbation. Beginning 6km west of Singaraja, the resort encompasses six villages:
Pemaron, Anturan, Tukad Mungga, Kalibukbuk, Kaliasem and Temukus. Kalibukbuk is
generally accepted as the centre of Lovina and it's here you'll find most tourist
facilities. |
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Nusa Lembongan Beach |
The Perama office
serves as the tourist information service and is in Jungutbatu between Pondok
Baruna and Nusa Indah bungalows; you can book tickets here to destinations on
Bali, Lombok and Sumbawa. There are at least daily departures, but all destinations
apart from Ubud, Kuta and Sanur require a stop-over on the way.
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Kuta and Legian Beach |
| The beach is
quite possibly the most beautiful in Bali, with its gentle curve of golden sand
stretching for 8km, lashed by huge breakers. These waves make Kuta a great beach
for surfers, but less pleasant for swimming, with a strong undertow: always swim
between the red- and yellow-striped flags. |
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Lampu'uk Beach |
Lampu'uk beach is a
glorious sandy arc that's both a popular day-trip and a pleasant alternative base
for travellers, chiefly because of the excellent Aceh Bungalows on the beach here.
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Grajagan Beach |
The beach, Pantai
Coko, is signed from the village: it's 300m to the gate and then another 2km through
the forest to the black-sand beach.
Due to the surf, take local advice from
the forestry office about safe swimming spots, and never swim near the rocks.
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Candi Dasa Beach |
| The tourist developments
have spread 8km west around the bay, through the villages of Senkidu, Buitan and
Manggis, where the beach is still a respectable size.
To get to a decent
beach from Candi itself, follow the road past Bunga Putri at the end of Forest
Road up onto the headland and then down onto the black sand on the other side. |
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Pulau Weh Beach |
| Pulau Weh is yet
another gorgeous Indonesian paradise, with excellent diving and snorkelling possibilities
and white sandy beaches. The main attraction here is the excellent snorkelling
- gear can be rented from Stingray's office in Ibioh. |
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Rapang Beach |
| Rapang is an attractive,
horseshoe-shaped beach, 2km south of Ibioh, with its own family of five hawksbill
turtles. There is a small selection of bungalows here, with prices similar to
those at Ibioh. . |
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Lhong
Angen Beach |
| Lhong Angen , lies on
the western side of the island. It's one of the best, although for six months
of the year it completely disappears - swept away by the sea in November, returning
again in May. |
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Sumbawa |
| Sumbawa is often perceived
as an inconvenient but necessary bridge between Lombok and Komodo, but it does
hold some fine west-coast beaches, as well as spectacular coral just offshore
at Pulau Moyo. |
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Sanur |
| Sanur is an appealing, more
peaceful alternative to Kuta, with a long, fairly decent white-sand beach, plenty
of attractive accommodation in all price brackets and a distinct village atmosphere. |
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Ende Beach |
| Situated on a narrow peninsula
with flat-topped Gunung Meja and the active volcano Gunung Ipi at the sea end,
the port of Ende is the largest town on Flores and provides access for Keli Mutu
and Moni. |
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Kuta Beach |
| The simply glorious beaches
of Seger and Tanjung Aan are easily accessible from Kuta and, at a push, walkable,
though bicycles are a good idea. Seger is closest to Kuta (1km east) and is now
the location of the luxury Novotel. To reach Tanjung Aan (5km), follow the road
east out of the resort and take the first sealed turning to the right. |
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