www.garuda-indonesia.com
January 2015
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
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Salam Garuda Indonesia
M. Arif Wibowo, President & CEO of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk., personally welcomes you.
46
Explore Travel Trends
The chicest locations; the most stylish events; our ultimate hit-list for the in-the-know traveller.
96
Travel Nagoya
Discover the historic offerings of Nagoya, Japan’s underrated industrial and commercial powerhouse.
World’s 5-Star Airline Reaching the highest honour, Garuda Indonesia is now one of only seven 5-star airlines in the world.
10
Contributors
CONTRIBUTORS 24
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Masterclass: High-speed
Fashion
Nagoya
Archipelago: Sibolga
GA Kids
Salahudin Damar Jaya
Robby Agus
Rob Goss
Suwandi Chandra
Hendri Nguriana
A graduate of the Bandung Institute of Technology, Salahudin Damar Jaya has been teaching himself photography since junior high school. He has developed a passion for sharing his knowledge and teaching the art. A highly technical photographer, he is deeply fascinated by creating and assembling his own custom photography rigs and continuously develops and tweaks them to take images that are more stunning with every iteration.
Robby Agus began his career in the world of fashion photography. As he honed his skills he began to work in commercial photography as well. Over the past ten years, Robby has completed projects for a number of high-profile clients including Garuda Indonesia, Harley Davidson, Bank Mandiri and Bank Indonesia. His next creative step is exploring the world of travel photography.
Rob Goss is a British writer who has been based in Tokyo for the past 15 years. During that time Rob has travelled to almost every part of Japan, from rugged Hokkaido in the far north to subtropical Okinawa in the south, in the process authoring several travel books on Japan for Tuttle Publishing and writing for, amongst others, Time and National Geographic Traveler.
A self-taught photographer and software developer by trade, Suwandi Chandra’s interest in photography blossomed while working in the USA in 2007. He is now based in Medan, but his love of nature, still-life and architectural objects continues to fuel his worldwide travels. www.suwandichandra.com
Illustrator Hendri Nguriana has loved drawing since elementary school. Creating illustrations is his favourite way of expressing the ideas, fantasies and abstract concepts in his mind. He takes inspiration mostly from his favourite movies and video games and from his travels.
Salahudin Damar Jaya, lulusan Institut Teknologi Bandung, sudah mempelajari fotografi secara autodidak sejak SMP. Berbagi ilmu dan mengajarkan seni adalah hal yang disukainya. Sebagai fotografer yang menguasai teknik foto, dia gemar merakit perangkat fotografinya sendiri, dan tak henti memodifikasinya agar dapat mengambil gambar-gambar yang lebih memukau.
Robby Agus mengawali kariernya di dunia fotografi fesyen, dan dengan berjalannya waktu ia mulai merambah ke dunia fotografi komersial. Selama lebih dari sepuluh tahun terakhir, Robby Agus sudah bekerja sama dengan beberapa klien ternama antara lain Garuda Indonesia, Harley Davidson, Bank Mandiri, Bank Indonesia, dan sebagainya. Untuk saat ini Robby Agus sedang mengeksplorasi fotografi travel.
Rob Goss adalah penulis berkebangsaan Inggris yang telah tinggal selama 15 tahun di Tokyo. Dalam kurun waktu tersebut, Rob berkesempatan menjelajahi segala sudut di Jepang, mulai dari Hokkaido di bagian ujung utara hingga Okinawa di bagian selatan. Tulisannya mengenai wisata di Jepang diterbitkan oleh Tuttle Publishing. Dia juga menulis untuk Time dan National Geographic Traveler.
Minat Suwandi Chandra, fotografer autodidak sekaligus konsultan software developer, mulai berkembang saat bekerja di AS tahun 2007. Walau kini Suwandi bermukim di Medan, kecintaannya terhadap alam, objek hidup dan bangunan arsitektur terus membuatnya melancong ke berbagai belahan dunia. www.suwandichandra.com
Ilustrator Hendri Nguriana, lahir dan besar di Jakarta, sudah suka menggambar sejak di bangku sekolah dasar. Menggambar ilustrasi, baginya, merupakan sarana mengekspresikan ide, khayalan, serta konsep yang ada di benaknya. Inspirasi dan ide untuk karya-karyanya kebanyakan didapatnya dari film, video game, dan hobi melancongnya.
Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
Tokyo, Japan
Medan, Indonesia
Jakarta, Indonesia
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Publisher
PUBLISHER www.garuda-indonesia.com
January 2015
Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium
Cover
Communication by Kiuko (きうこ) Children interact with a dolphin at the Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, introduced in recent years as part of the redevelopment of the port as a tourism and leisure district offering a selection of shops and restaurants, an amusement park, a museum and green space.
Communication oleh Kiuko (きうこ) Anak-anak tampak berinteraksi dengan lumba-lumba di Port of Nagoya Public Aquarium, pelabuhan yang ditata ulang dan diperkenalkan sebagai kawasan wisata dan hiburan, lengkap dengan pertokoan, restoran, taman bermain, museum serta ruang terbuka hijau.
VISINDO 4
Salam Garuda Indonesia
M. Arif Wibowo, President & CEO of PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk., personally welcomes you.
46
Explore Travel Trends
The chicest locations; the most stylish events; our ultimate hit-list for the in-the-know traveller.
96
Travel Nagoya
Discover the historic offerings of Nagoya, Japan’s underrated industrial and commercial powerhouse.
World’s 5-Star Airline Reaching the highest honour, Garuda Indonesia is now one of only seven 5-star airlines in the world.
Welcome to Colours
EDITORIAL BOARD Pujobroto, Djunadi Putra Satrio
We hope you had a fantastic New Year celebration. This January we’re incredibly proud to share news of Garuda Indonesia being awarded a 5-star rating from Skytrax, making the airline Indonesia’s first and only 5-star airline. Additionally, Colours closed out the year strongly – we were awarded over 20 international awards for design, editorial and photography in 2014. Eager to kick off a new year of exciting and unexpected adventures, we’re not about to rest on our laurels now; we’re still all about bringing you the best in travel coverage every month, without fail.
PUBLISHER PT Visindo Agensi Tama / Agency Fish
To welcome 2015, with Garuda Indonesia planning to commence direct flights to Nagoya later in the year, we explore the historic offerings of this underrated industrial and commercial powerhouse. Back in the archipelago nation we travel to Bukittinggi, Sumatra’s second-biggest city, which has delightfully retained much of its laid-back rural charm. Next we discover the secret islands of Sibolga Bay – among them is Mursala Island, which is said to have inspired the dramatic setting of Skull Island in the classic 1933 Hollywood film King Kong. And our last stop is an international sojourn across Mumbai, a patchwork of past and present, of grand buildings and small villages. Semoga liburan Tahun Baru Anda menyenangkan. Di bulan Januari ini, kami ingin berbagi kabar gembira dengan diterimanya penghargaan bintang 5 dari Skytrax oleh Garuda Indonesia, penghargaan yang membuat maskapai ini menjadi satu-satunya maskapai utama berbintang 5 di Indonesia. Tak hanya itu, Colours juga berhasil memenangkan 20 penghargaan internasional untuk kategori desain, tulisan, dan fotografi selama tahun 2014 ini. Sejumlah penghargaan tersebut tentunya tak lantas membuat kami berpuas diri; kami akan terus membawa ke hadapan Anda ulasan wisata terbaik setiap bulannya. Menyambut Tahun Baru 2015, dan seiring rencana Garuda Indonesia untuk membuka penerbangan langsung ke Nagoya, kami pun mengangkat sisi historis dari kota industri dan perdagangan ini. Sementara di dalam negeri, kami menelusuri Kota Bukittinggi, kota terbesar kedua di Sumatera dengan nuansa pedesaannya yang menarik. Selanjutnya, kami menjelajahi pulau-pulau yang berada di Teluk Sibolga—di antaranya Pulau Mursala yang menginspirasi lokasi Pulau Skull, pulau dalam film klasik Hollywood berjudul King Kong yang dibuat tahun 1933. Petualangan kami berakhir di Mumbai, tempat persinggahan internasional di mana kemegahan peninggalan masa lalu berdampingan dengan kemodernan kota.
DIRECTOR Herawati Saragih ASSISTANT TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dwi Supratina EDITOR Obed Napitupulu ASSISTANT & COMMISSIONING EDITORS Agung Pramudyo Vikaria Lestari FINANCE Dede Trisnawati DESIGN AND ARTWORKING Nanda Giftanina, Rizky Iskandar, Aldy Jeremia Tjan, Arief Rizky, Vaughan Davies DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT Ujang Rohman, Dedi Kholidi Herry Kurniawan
PT Visindo Agensi Tama 21st Floor Suite 2101 MNC Tower Jl. Kebon Sirih No. 17–19 Jakarta 10340 T. +62 21 3192 4332 T. +62 21 3192 4348 F. +62 21 3192 4327 www.agencyfish.com For advertising enquiries within Indonesia please send an email to: Herawati Saragih
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Comments & Suggestions: Please write in to Agency Fish or email:
[email protected]. We may not always be able to enter into correspondence. Any opinion expressed is the honest belief of the author based on all available facts, but is not necessarily the view of Agency Fish, PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. or its employees. Comments and facts should not be relied upon by the reader in taking commercial, legal, financial, or other decisions. Articles are by their nature general, and readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information published within which may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The publisher regrets that it cannot accept liability for any error or omissions printed, however caused. Colours magazine is published for PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. All rights reserved. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the express permission of the publisher in writing. Copyright © 2015 Agency Fish/PT Visindo Agensi Tama. E&EO.
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Travel | Sibolga
With daily Garuda Indonesia flights to Pinangsori, Colours takes a closer look at the historic and natural intrigue of an often-overlooked destination. Words and photography by Suwandi Chandra
Travel | Sibolga
The island of Silabu Na Menek with its impressive 70m-high cliff face.
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Travel | Sibolga
Passengers on board the glass-bottom boat on the way to Putih Island from KM Nauli.
Sibolga lies on the western coast of North Sumatra, facing the Indian Ocean. Centuries ago Indian and Arab merchants in search of rich natural resources for trade were known to cross the seas and access Sumatra using this western gateway.
High-quality camphor exported from the nearby port of Barus drew colonial interests, and its strategic value as an important harbour quickly transformed the once small village into a thriving trading port, with the English and Dutch establishing trading posts here as early as the 17th century. By the 1920s Sibolga had become a major Dutch settlement, with roads, an armed police force, an inspector’s office, water office, notary office, commercial district and even a Chinese quarter. British, American and French traders passed through regularly, and it is believed that Stamford Raffles too spent time here before moving on to Bengkulu and then on to establish his own trade port in what would later become Singapore. In the years leading up to Indonesian independence, Sibolga was the setting of many battles. Today there are but fragmented remnants of the fascinating history that took place here. There are still a number of old fortresses you can visit in the main town, and history buffs will certainly enjoy strolling through them to relive maritime tales of yore. But beyond its historical attractions
holidaymakers will be relieved to find Sibolga’s natural beauty relatively unscathed by the tides of time and war. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for those in the know) Sibolga is often overlooked as a destination, skipped over by surfers and beachcombers making their way to Nias Island via Sibolga Bay. The reality is Sibolga has just as much on offer as its famed island neighbour Nias, arguably more if you prefer a tropical holiday that includes island hopping. Sibolga Bay, also known as Tapian Nauli (meaning ‘beautiful beach’ in the Batak dialect), is where passenger boats depart from, connecting to the surf haven of Nias. But within the bay is a collection of smaller nearby islands, each with its own distinct beauty and character. My island-hopping adventure begins at Hotel Wisata Indah, which stands tall right beside the ocean with a private-access beach. The accommodation is rather humble, but if you book a top corner suite, you’ll be treated to stunning sunrise and sunset ocean views right from your room window. But the hotel
Travel | Sibolga
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5 Senses – Touch PONCAN GADANG ISLAND Feel the soft, warm sand of yet another picture-perfect spot for beach and ocean adventures, from fishing and boating to beachcombing and jungle trekking. A mere 15 minutes away from the bay is Poncan Gadang Island, where Hotel Wisata Indah’s sister property, Sibolga Marine Resort, features 70 chalets scattered around the verdant green landscape of the island. All the chalets have direct beach access with fantastic views of the ocean and Sibolga itself. www.sibolgamarineresort.com
A local on Putih Island serving fresh coconut to freshen up during the hot day. The glass-bottom boat tied to the Putih Island jetty. The crystal-clear waters surrounding beautiful Putih Island.
Our first island visit is to Putih Island (literally ‘white’ island), so called for its white sandy beaches.
itself isn’t the main reason I’ve checked in. I’m here to join a mini cruise. After breakfast I head out to the private beach and clamber into a glass-bottom boat tied to a jetty. It transports me and a few other passengers to the KM Nauli (www.naulicruise. com), a mini cruise vessel. She doesn’t look like much from the outside – it’s an old US-built steel-hull boat – but the vintage look suits my eager sense of adventure and gives the boat a certain character. Step inside and you’ll be pleased to see the interior converted and retrofitted with seven comfortable cabins equipped with all the usual creature comforts and en-suite bathrooms. The vessel accommodates up to 15 adults and, if you wish, you can charter the entire vessel for larger, private groups.
Despite it being a rather old vessel, it does capture a sense of bygone luxury with a comfortable lounge area decked out in varnished wood panelling. The lounge is air conditioned to beat the heat and has a large flatscreen TV for movie nights when the weather isn’t too nice. This is where meals are served, and on nights when the weather is breezy and beautiful, dinner can be enjoyed on the top deck accompanied by sweeping views of the clear surf and sky. It’s essentially a floating hotel with great service quality to match. Our first island visit is to Putih Island (literally ‘white’ island), so called for its white sandy beaches. We board the glass-bottom boat to reach the shore, and this time instead of a view of shallow sands we’re treated to a vibrant display of large corals so close to the surface, teeming with underwater life. As soon as we hit the shore I’m ready to do some snorkelling myself, and luckily the cruise crew always have snorkelling and scuba gear in tow along with a certified dive instructor with expert knowledge of the surrounding waters. After a good few hours of fun in the sun and surf, we return to the top deck of the KM Nauli to
Rasakan lembut dan hangatnya pasir pantai yang juga pas bagi penyuka petualangan laut, mulai dari memancing dan berperahu hingga menyusuri pantai dan trekking di hutan. Sekitar 15 menit dari teluk tersebut terdapat Pulau Poncan Gadang, tempat berdirinya sister property Hotel Wisata Indah, yaitu Sibolga Marine Resort, yang memiliki 70 bangunan yang tersebar di lanskap hijau pulau tersebut. Seluruh kamar memiliki akses langsung ke pantai dengan pemandangan indah samudra dan juga Kota Sibolga itu sendiri.
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Travel | Sibolga
KM Nauli mini cruise ship, a US-built steel-hull ship. The spacious top deck where passengers can enjoy the surrounding nature and seascapes, and where meals are served on clear sunny days. The on-board chef is always ready to prepare a hot meal for everyone on board. One of the bedrooms on KM Nauli.
Its source is Indonesia’s shortest river, flowing for only 700m before its fresh water cascades from a height of 35m over a reddish-grey granite cliffside directly down into the ocean.
enjoy a lunch of fresh seafood: a lovely spread of grilled fish, prawns, fried calamari and sides of local veggies, nasi goreng and a selection of spicy sambals of course, all prepared on board by a talented kitchen staff. To wash it all down, don’t forget to crack open a coconut fresh from the tree and drink in the sweet, sweet coconut water along with the paradisiacal views as you enjoy the ocean breeze kissing your cheeks, the sun on your skin and the sounds of the waves breaking and crashing on islands near and far. I can assure you, your worldly stress will melt away in minutes. Next on the map is Mursala Island, which is said to have inspired the setting of Skull Island in the seminal 1933 Hollywood film King Kong. The largest of the nearby Sibolga Bay islands, Mursala was also the shooting location of the 2013 Indonesian movie of the same name. As we make our approach and thick, untamed rainforest, craggy stone walls and a 35m waterfall pouring out into the ocean come into view, it’s not hard to see just how the rugged
beauty of this formidable island might inspire a filmmaker. The Mursala Waterfall is an unforgettable sight to see in person and an icon of the island. Its source is Indonesia’s shortest river, flowing for only 700m before its fresh water cascades from a height of 35m over a reddish-grey granite cliffside directly down into the ocean. Indeed, it looks like something straight from a scene in King Kong. If you’re compelled to swim the turquoise waters below, simply don a life vest – the water is deep – and jump right in: you won’t regret it. I know I didn’t. By the time I was back on board the KM Nauli heading back to the city to catch my flight, my only regret was that I had to leave. However, I am grateful for the memories of history and of rugged paradise. I’ll be hopping across these islands again sooner rather than later.
Travel | Sibolga
5 Senses – Sight IN AND AROUND MURSALA While the Mursala Waterfall remains the prime attraction of the island, the seas surrounding Mursala and the smaller islands around it are also blessed with amazing sights and underwater splendour. Head to Jambe Island for shallow water populated with many kinds of coral and fish. Hunik Bay is also good for diving and snorkelling. And between Silabu-labu Na Godang and Kalimatung Na Manek islands, you’ll find an immaculate white-sand lagoon. My personal favourite sight is on Silabu Na Manek Island, which boasts an impressive 70m cliff called the Garuda Stone after its resemblance to the mythic bird.
Air Terjun Mursala merupakan daya tarik utama pulau ini, tetapi laut dan pulau-pulau kecil di sekitarnya pun tak kalah menarik dengan pemandangan yang indah serta alam bawah laut yang cantik. Di Pulau Jambe, terdapat perairan dangkal yang dipenuhi ikan dan terumbu karang. Teluk Hunik tepat untuk diving dan snorkelling. Di antara Silabu-labu Na Godang dan Pulau Kalimatung Na Manek Anda dapat menemukan laguna pasir putih. Pemandangan favorit saya adalah Pulau Silabu Na Manek, dengan bukit setinggi 70 meter yang disebut Batu Garuda, karena bentuknya yang mirip dengan burung legendaris tersebut.
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Mursala Island on the Map
MURSALA ISLAND
SIBOLGA
PINANGSORI
Mursala Island supposedly provided inspiration for the setting of the original Hollywood production of King Kong. Pulau Mursala menginspirasi film Hollywood berjudul King Kong untuk lokasi syuting.
According to local legend, the Mursala Waterfall was the domain of a princess called Runduk. Menurut cerita legenda, Air Terjun Mursala merupakan tempat bermain seorang putri bernama Putri Runduk.
The source of the Mursala Waterfall is Indonesia’s shortest river, flowing for only 700 metres. Aliran Air Terjun Mursala ini berasal dari aliran sungai terpendek di Indonesia, dengan panjang 700 meter.
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Travel | Sibolga
There is a great choice of equipment for fishing enthusiasts.
Sibolga berada di pesisir barat Sumatera Utara menghadap ke Samudra Hindia. Ratusan tahun lalu pedagang India dan Arab yang mencari hasil bumi untuk diperdagangkan berlayar menyeberangi lautan dan memasuki Sumatera lewat pintu gerbang barat ini.
Kamper berkualitas tinggi yang diekspor lewat pelabuhan terdekatnya, Barus, menarik minat para penjajah. Letaknya yang strategis sebagai salah satu pelabuhan penting membuat desa kecil ini berkembang menjadi pelabuhan dagang, tempat Belanda dan Inggris mendirikan pos-pos dagangnya di abad ke-17. Akhirnya di tahun 1920-an Sibolga menjadi pemukiman utama penduduk Belanda, lengkap dengan jalan, polisi bersenjata, kantor inspektur, kantor pengaturan air, kantor notaris, pusat perdagangan dan juga Pecinan. Pedagang Inggris, Amerika dan Perancis juga sering berlalu-lalang di sini, bahkan dipercaya Stamford Raffles juga pernah singgah sebelum pindah ke Bengkulu hingga akhirnya mendirikan pelabuhan dagangnya sendiri yang kemudian hari menjadi Singapura. Beberapa tahun menjelang kemerdekaan Indonesia, Sibolga menjadi tempat pecahnya sejumlah perang. Hingga saat ini jejak-jejak sejarah tersebut masih tertinggal. Ada sejumlah reruntuhan benteng tua yang bisa dikunjungi di pusat kota, dan para pencinta sejarah pasti senang berjalan-jalan di sekitar
tempat itu untuk membangkitkan kenangan kejayaan maritim di masa lampau. Selain daya tarik sejarahnya, keindahan alam Sibolga pun masih utuh tak tergerus zaman maupun peperangan. Hanya sayangnya (atau malah menguntungkan bagi mereka yang mengetahui keindahan kota ini) Sibolga jarang dianggap sebagai destinasi wisata. Para peselancar dan pencinta pantai melewatkan kota ini dengan langsung menuju Pulau Nias melalui Teluk Sibolga. Namun sebenarnya Sibolga juga menawarkan apa yang dimiliki oleh Pulau Nias tetangganya yang sudah terkenal, malah mungkin lebih, terutama jika Anda lebih suka mengisi liburan dengan berkeliling pulau. Teluk Sibolga, atau dikenal dengan Tapian Nauli (dalam bahasa Batak artinya ‘pantai yang indah’), adalah tempat kapal penumpang bertolak menuju surga selancar di Pulau Nias. Namun di teluk ini juga terdapat beberapa pulau kecil yang letaknya saling berdekatan, dengan karakter dan keindahannya masing-masing. Petualangan keliling pulau kali ini dimulai dari Hotel Wisata Indah, yang berdiri dengan
Travel | Sibolga
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Petualangan keliling pulau kali ini dimulai dari Hotel Wisata Indah, yang berdiri dengan gagahnya di tepi samudra dengan akses pribadi langsung menuju ke pantai.
gagahnya di tepi samudra dengan akses pribadi langsung menuju ke pantai. Bangunannya sedikit sederhana, namun jika Anda memilih kamar suite di pojok atas, pemandangan matahari terbit dan terbenam yang indah akan terlihat langsung dari jendela Anda. Hotel ini sendiri merupakan alasan utama saya menginap di sini. Saya di kota ini untuk mengikuti mini-cruise. Setelah sarapan, saya menuju pantai hotel dan menaiki perahu berdasar kaca yang terikat di dermaga. Kapal itu akan membawa saya dan beberapa penumpang lainnya ke KM Nauli (www.naulicruise.com), sebuah kapal layar berukuran kecil. Kapal itu tampak sederhana jika dilihat dari luar— kapal tua berlambung baja buatan Amerika. Akan tetapi tampilannya yang antik cocok dengan selera bertualang saya dan hal itu malah membuat kapal itu terlihat berkarakter. Masuklah ke dalamnya, Anda pasti akan terkejut melihat interiornya yang diubah menjadi 7 kabin yang nyaman lengkap dengan kamar mandi dalam. Kapal ini dapat menampung 15 orang dewasa dan jika mau, Anda bisa menyewa keseluruhan kapal untuk menampung grup yang lebih besar.
Walaupun tua, kapal ini menampilkan suasana masa lampau yang mewah dilengkapi dengan area santai berdekorasi panel kayu yang nyaman. Area santainya dilengkapi penyejuk udara dan juga TV berlayar datar yang besar untuk menonton film jika cuaca buruk. Di tempat inilah makanan disajikan, dan jika cuaca di malam hari cukup bersahabat dan sejuk, makan malam dapat dinikmati di dek kapal, ditemani oleh pemandangan laut dan langit malam. Kapal ini pada intinya adalah hotel terapung dengan kualitas pelayanan yang luar biasa. Pulau pertama yang kami kunjungi adalah Pulau Putih (arti harfiahnya ‘pulau yang putih’), dinamakan begitu karena pasirnya yang berwarna putih. Kami menaiki perahu berdasar kaca untuk mencapai pantai dan kali ini yang tampak bukanlah pasir yang dangkal namun suguhan tampilan warnawarni terumbu karang yang jaraknya sangat dekat dengan permukaan air, lengkap dengan penghuni karangnya. Setelah kami menginjak pantai, saya siap untuk bersnorkelling, dan untungnya para awak kapal siap dengan peralatan selam dan snorkelling
Hotel Wisata Indah stands tall right beside the ocean. It has its own beach as well as a private jetty: perfect for island-hopping. Local fishermen on the way from Sibolga to reel in the daily catch. A local fisherman stopping to rest on the peaceful shores of Poncan Gadang Island after a long day of fishing.
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Travel | Sibolga Sibolga Activities
Of all of the islands in Sibolga Bay, Poncan Gadang is the most recommended for diving, with its clear waters and vibrant underwater life. Pulau Poncan Gadang adalah yang paling direkomendasikan untuk menyelam, karena air yang jernih dan memiliki beragam ikan hias.
SIBOLGA Nature lovers can pack up and go hiking on Simarbarimbing Hill, a short journey from the city, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the stunning bay below. Pencinta wisata pegunungan bisa menikmati Bukit Simarbarimbing. Anda dapat menikmati indahnya Teluk Tapian Nauli dari atas bukit ini.
NAULI SURF
Fishermen who go offshore for several days will often rest and stay overnight on their boats in the safety of the cove on Mursala Island, where the waters are still even during bad weather.
Sibolga’s waves aren’t as extreme as the ones you’ll find on nearby Nias, making the bay a great spot for beginners. Ombak di Tapian Nauli memang tidak sebesar Pulau Nias, namun ini menjadi surga bagi para pemula.
Travel | Sibolga
Wading in shallow, warm waters on Poncan Gadang Island. Taking in the views under the shade of a coconut tree on Putih Island. Whichever island you hop to, be sure to explore its gorgeous underwater offerings.
juga instruktur selam yang bersertifikat dan memiliki pengetahuan tentang perairan sekitar. Setelah beberapa jam berselancar dan bersenangsenang di bawah sinar mentari, kami kembali ke dek KM Nauli untuk menikmati seafood: ikan bakar, udang, cumi goreng, dan beragam sayur, nasi goreng dan beberapa jenis sambal, semuanya disiapkan di kapal oleh staf dapur. Untuk minumannya, jangan lupa membelah kelapa yang baru dipetik dan meminum airnya yang manis. Ditemani air kelapa, panorama yang indah dengan terpaan angin di wajah, kehangatan mentari dan suara ombak memecah karang, dijamin, stres yang Anda rasakan langsung hilang. Berikutnya adalah Pulau Mursala, yang katanya menjadi inspirasi lokasi film Skull Island pada semifinal Hollywood film King Kong tahun 1933. Mursala, pulau terbesar yang letaknya tak jauh dari Teluk Sibolga ini juga menjadi lokasi syuting film Indonesia yang berjudul sama dengan nama pulau ini tahun 2013. Begitu kami mendekat, mulai tampak hutan yang lebat, tebing tinggi dan air terjun setinggi 35 meter, tak heran jika kecantikan alam yang masih murni dari pulau ini dapat menginspirasi seorang pembuat film.
Pemandangan Air terjun Mursala ini sungguh tak terlupakan begitu Anda melihatnya, objek wisata yang merupakan ikon pulau ini. Sumber airnya adalah sungai terpendek di Indonesia, yang mengalir sepanjang 700 meter sebelum airnya jatuh dari tebing granit setinggi 35 meter dan menuju ke laut. Sungguh, pemandangan tersebut persis seperti salah satu adegan di film King Kong. Jika Anda tertarik untuk berenang di birunya air di bawah air terjun ini, jangan lupa kenakan jaket pelampung—airnya sangat dalam—dan terjunlah, dijamin Anda tidak akan menyesal. Saya sudah mencobanya. Di atas KM Nauli, saat perjalanan kembali ke kota untuk mengejar jadwal penerbangan, sesal yang saya rasakan hanya satu, yaitu harus meninggalkan tempat ini. Tapi bagaimanapun, saya bersyukur atas segala kenangan manis dan surga yang belum terjamah. Saya berharap dapat kembali mengunjungi pulau-pulau ini secepatnya.
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5 Senses – Sound FLOATING KARAOKE If you unfortunately run into heavy rain during your island-hopping adventure, fret not: you can still have a good time singing karaoke in the KM Nauli’s lounge, equipped with a full range of audiovisual entertainment. Keep spirits high and connect with the crew by trying your vocals on a few local songs. Jika hujan turun dengan lebatnya di tengah petualangan Anda berkeliling pulau, Anda masih tetap bisa berkaraoke di lounge KM Nauli yang dilengkapi kecanggihan peralatan audio visual entertainment. Anda pun bisa lebih akrab dengan para awak kapal dengan mencoba menyanyikan beberapa lagu daerah.
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Travel | Sibolga
LIFESTYLE
5 Senses – Taste COASTAL CUISINE When in Sibolga, you will be spoiled with some of the most delicious seafood dishes. All kinds of fresh fish, crabs, shrimps, squid, and other catch from the sea along with regional favourites such as sate padang and nasi goreng are sure to satisfy your appetite. A must-try is the authentic pesisir (coastal) recipe for deep-fried crab.
Saat berada di Sibolga, Anda akan dimanjakan dengan makanan laut yang lezat. Berbagai jenis ikan, kepiting, udang, cumi-cumi dan berbagai tangkapan laut lainnya, juga makanan favorit daerah tersebut seperti sate padang dan nasi goreng yang pastinya akan memuaskan selera Anda. Kepiting goreng adalah resep asli pesisir yang wajib dicoba.
An array of fresh grilled seafood. The authentic pesisir (coastal) recipe for deep-fried crab. If you’re not a fan of seafood try sate padang, a local favourite dish in and around Sumatra.
MEDAN (KUALA NAMU) – PINANGSORI – JAKARTA Flight time 3 hours 25 mins Frequency 7 flights per week
• Medan (Kuala Namu) • Pinangsori • Jakarta
