Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 219

with Kapal Bahari Express ( T 0852 7054 6464) tickets are
Rp65,000/75,000 (economy or ac), and with PT Pelnas
( T 0852 6131 6401) tickets cost Rp70,000.

TREAT YOURSELF
A worthy splurge on Weh's east coast,
Freddie's (Jl Bahagia T 0813 6025 5001,
W santai-sabang.com) makes the most of
its rocky, palm-strewn setting overlooking
the white sand of Sumur Tiga Beach.
Varnished wooden walkways connect its
en-suite bungalows, each equipped with
hammocks, hot showers and sea views
from private balconies. Meals are prepared
by friendly owner Freddie Rousseau and
served buffet-style in the restaura nt, which
has wi-fi and a free coffee station. Rp320,000

★

INFORMATION
Tourist o ce The friendly tourism o ce ( T 0652 21513,
W budpar.sabangkota.go.id), located just above the town
of Sabang on Jl Diponegoro, has good maps and informa-
tion on the island's attractions.

DIVE OPERATORS
There are only a handful of dive centres on Weh, the two
mainstays located at Iboih and Gapang, each offering
experienced instructors and PADI courses from Scuba Diver
to Divemaster.
Lumba Lumba Diving Centre Gapang Beach T 0811
682787, W lumbalumba.com. Dutch-Indonesian diving
outfit that offers top-notch equipment and the best
reputation for safety on the island. €54 for two dives,
including all gear.
Rubiah Tirta Iboih Beach T 0652 332 4555, W rubiah
divers.com. Started up in the 1970s, this family-run diving
centre is the oldest on Weh, and continues to offer bargain
prices and considerable discounts to experienced divers.
€48 for two dives.

from Mama's is the equally popular Dee Dee's ; both are
traveller hangouts. Daily 8am-10pm.
★

Olala T 0852 6060 7311 or T 0852 4096 1716,
W facebook.com/olalacaferestaurant. Friendly, good-
value bungalows a 5min walk from the parking lot.
Choose between tiny, spartan cheapies up the hill and
brand-new bungalows over the water, each with private
balcony and hammock (Rp150,000). There's wi-fi in the
popular r estauraunt , a good spot for meeting fellow
travellers. Rp50,000
Yulia T 0821 6856 4383. The last guesthouse along the
trail from the beach and the quietest spot in Iboih.
There are a few ultra-basic huts and three cosy waterfront
bungalows (Rp150,000) equipped with balconies, ham-
mocks, private bathroo ms and sho wers. Wi-fi occasionally
works in the restaurant. Rp60,000

4

GETTING AROUND
Shared taxis connect all corners of the island, most
importantly Balohan to Sabang (Rp30,000; 15min),
Balohan to Gapang and Iboih (Rp50,000; 30min), Balohan
to Sumur Tiga (Rp25,000; 15min) and Sabang to Gapang
and Iboih (Rp50,000; 25min).

AROUND THE ISLAND
Lumba Lumba Gapang Beach T 0811 682787,
W lumbalumba.com/staying.html. Accompanying the
popular diving centre is the most comfortable place on
Gapang Beach, with a range of options, from simple rooms
with shared bathrooms to plush cottages with fridges,
baths and broad, sea-facing verandas with hammocks
(€30). There's wi-fi, computers for uploading underwater
photography and books on marine life. Non- divin g guests
are welcome as long as there's a spare room. €12

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Weh's most popular backpacker accommodation strip
fans out along the beach at Iboih. Nearby Gapang Beach
has a wider range of accommodation, from basic huts
(Rp50,000) to upmarket bungalows catering to divers.
Book ahead in high season.

IBOIH
Iboih Inn T 0811 841570, W iboihinn.com. Friendly
place towards the end of the trail from the beach, with
a good range of rooms, all with sea views. Small fan huts
are situated above the main trail, while the pricier options
are among the most luxurious in Iboih: waterfront
cottages with hot showers and a/c (Rp400,000). The wi-fi-
equipped restaurant is set on a spacious deck over the
water, and there's a pier p ointing out towards Pulau
Rubiah. Payment at check-in. Rp200,000
Mama's Overlooking the sandy beach beside Rubiah Tirta,
this relaxed little place serves a good mix of Indonesian
and Western dishes, with tasty tempe wraps, mie aceh
(Rp17,000) and chicken coconut soup (Rp24,000). Across

DIRECTORY
Banks There are several banks with ATMs along Jl
Perdagangan in Sabang, including Mandiri (no. 80), where
you can also change money.
Internet There's wi-fi in most guesthouses and computers
with internet access at the post o ce.
Motorbike Rental Available from all guesthouses for
Rp100,000/day; or head to Mimi's (daily 8am-10pm;
T 0812 6968 1550), in the parking lot at Iboih.
Pharmacy Bunda Farma at Jl Perdagangan 104, Sabang
(daily 9am-2pm & 5-10pm).