Sumba - The New Bali (Surfers and Divers' Paradise)
 |
| Source: http://www.audleytravel.com/us/destinations/asia/indonesia/places-to-go/sumba/pantai-nihiwatu.aspx |
Flipping through my Conde Nast Traveller
magazine may not give me much advice for adventure or budget-friendly travel
options, but it sure does oust some locations that I have never heard of
before. Most recently, the island of
Sumba was brought to my attention. Known
as the ‘new-Bali’ (which means Bali is ‘out’, unfortunately, as a hip place to
visit), Sumba is another, smaller island within Indonesia. Sumba Island is located in the eastern array
of Indonesian islands, and access can come from a 55-minute charter flight from
Bali.
This untouched land mass is only 11,000 km2,
with one major resort for which guests looking for an intimate, secluded adobe
can languish in its luxury. Owned by one
of the Tory Burch founders, Nihiwatu Beach Resort provides ultimate relaxation,
privacy and breathtaking views of the natural wonders surrounding its
property. Community support and
involvement is deeply cultured in both staff and guests who attend this
resort. Traditional villages are toured
to give guests an idea of life on the island dating back centuries. Responsible tourism is the philosophy of the
resort’s owners, who seek to give back more to the community and environment
than what is taken for daily use.
 |
| Source: http://www.amagazine.com.au/travel/nihiwatu-indonesian-don%E2%80%99t-tell-anyone |
Breathtaking pictures are wonderful
opportunities to get a feel for a tourist attraction before traveling, but this
island truly does seem to live up to its image.
The minimalism and natural attitude of foreigners is rewarded with
outstanding picturesque views and exciting real-world tour options. The only activities to be found seem to be
those that entail sensibly enjoying the natural and man-made world contained
within the island’s own surroundings.
However, not to be mistaken for a lack of imagination, the resort
operators have discovered that people flock to this island simply because of its
natural beauty.
A 2.5 km length of white sand beach spans the
front of the resort property, with natural black rocks jutting from
sections. The true calling of this
island is its superior left-hand break, coveted the world by surfers. By understanding the magnificence of this
break, nicknamed The Wave, locals have strived to limit the number of surfers
allowed on the island at any given time.
One of the problems with Bali now is that it is overrun with tourists –
surfers love the waves, making it less attractive and more inclined to tourist
overpopulation and waste.
 |
| Source: http://swellmag.blogspot.ca/2008/06/sumba-end-of-nihiwatu.html |
Staying on Sumba Island is not cheap – the resort
caters to the wealthy because 90% of the money received is in the form of
donations, which contribute to the lifestyles and upkeep of the island. The poverty of the locals is heartbreaking,
so by enabling tourism dollars on a limited level to enter the community,
Nihiwatu has allowed for the people to experience better education, supplies,
and overall quality of life.
Reviewers rave about scuba diving experiences;
this is why I’m attracted to this island, if even to visit for 1 day. There is one of few underwater sea mountains
to see nearby, along with thousands of different fish. Pristine coral reefs can be seen at any of
the dive sites around the island, and people can expect to observe sea crabs,
turtles, large fish and eels. Diving in
areas where few people have been is intriguing because I already feel that I am
in an exclusive world when I’m 40 feet below all the other tourists kicking
around above. To travel to sites like Sumba,
where tourism is limited but still offers exquisite experiences would be an
adventure I would love to take.
Comments
Post a Comment