Dieser Artikel ist auch verfügbar auf:
Deutsch
Each time I considered Sumatra, photos of dense jungle, Orang Utans, the well-known Lake Toba or the rugged, rainforest-fringed volcanoes got here to my thoughts. Whereas researching locations in Indonesia which can be nonetheless unspoiled by tourism, I used to be much more stunned to return throughout this island paradise on the west coast of Sumatra.
Cubadak off Sumatra – an ideal insider tip
There is just one place to remain on Cubadak Island to date – a bungalow complicated with 14 picket cottages, one in every of them straight above the water.
Since I’ve all the time been devoted to my favourite locations in Indonesia Bali and Flores and was at risk of going to the identical place and falling into the habits of a pensioner, I lastly pressured myself to strive one thing new. Indonesia with its 17,000 islands has a lot to supply – one lifetime shouldn’t be sufficient to go to all of them!
Our strategy to Cubadak Island
So in April 2019 we got down to discover Cubadak Island (Pulau Cubadak). From Jakarta we flew to Padang within the west of Sumatra. On the airport we have been picked up by a driver from the resort and drove a leisurely 2 hours by means of a hilly panorama stuffed with rice fields, jungle and coastal roads.
The Padang area is known throughout Indonesia for the idea of “Nasi Padang” – a restaurant the place quite a few chilly dishes are introduced in a glass showcase after which delivered to the desk on many small plates. You solely pay for what you eat – a really low cost and scrumptious lunch, offered you possibly can stand the spiciness, which shouldn’t be underestimated!
The motive force dropped us off at a harbour the place a small motorboat was already ready for us. The recent sea air was an actual deal with after greater than 5 hours of touring from Jakarta. After we and our baggage have been safely stowed away within the boat, our quick crossing started.
After about 200 meters Cubadak Island turned seen – a hilly island in the course of the clearest blue-green sea. Our hosts picked us up on the resort’s personal jetty and led us to our bungalow – straight on the shore, surrounded by coconut palms. For those who now consider the Maldives with its paradise resorts, you’re unsuitable: it could be the one place to remain on the island, however it’s extra on the country facet. The bungalows are product of wooden and are spotlessly clear, however there may be, for instance, no air con or fridge.
Collective meals for all
The homeowners defined to us that meals are introduced with a bell and brought within the restaurant open to the ocean at a big desk with all visitors collectively. Over the following few days, we realized that the enjoyable issue of consuming will increase and reduces with how properly you get on with different folks. For those who contemplate your self as a social, uncomplicated individual, you’ll actually haven’t any issues with the collective meals. It’s additionally a great alternative to speak to the opposite visitors and share traveler tales.
Turtle(s) at sundown
The bungalows are to date other than one another that you’ve got loads of privateness. We spent more often than not enjoyable on the jetty and staring into the crystal-clear water (while consuming a chilly beer or two).
Our day by day spotlight was recognizing sea turtles. It was really potential to see the turtles from the jetty. Daily round 4.30 P.M. we noticed not less than two (possibly it was all the time the identical one although) turtles coming as much as the water floor to take a breath. Funnily sufficient we didn’t see a single one whereas snorkeling.
Snorkeling gear could be rented without spending a dime on the resort. There may be additionally a dive store the place you possibly can e-book dive excursions to discover the underwater world of the realm. There may be no free wifi on the island (an element that many different visitors criticized), however since we had Indonesian SIM playing cards, this was no drawback for us. Perhaps you possibly can contemplate the non-existent wifi not as a scarcity however as an opportunity for a digital detox.
Cubadak Island: complete leisure
It is rather troublesome NOT to calm down on Cubadak Island. The sound of the ocean, the swish-swish of the coconut timber within the wind and the calls of the monkeys create a sound that’s nearly hypnotic. After two (of a complete of 4) days we have been so deeply relaxed that we puzzled how we might ever return to civilization.
As a way to not less than give ourselves the sensation of getting “finished” one thing, my boyfriend and I borrowed the canoe from the homeowners of the resort and took just a little paddle tour on the crystal-clear sea, which unfold out in entrance of us like a mirror (Spoiler alert: if you wish to take a look at the steadiness of your relationship, you need to go paddling along with your associate). Moreover seeing the island from a special perspective and having the phantasm of an exercise, this “journey” gave us canoeing novices some laughs and mocking feedback from the opposite visitors. Anyway, we had enjoyable!
Probably not advisable for adrenaline junkies
One other exercise, when you don’t wish to spend the entire day mendacity round, studying and looking out on the sea, is to climb to the island’s viewpoint. There are literally 2 viewpoints – one that’s about 20 minutes away from the resort and the next one which takes about 90 minutes to achieve.
In keeping with the resort homeowners, the second possibility is sweaty and exhausting – and since we have been already in leisure mode anyway, we determined to go for the primary one. What we thought was a brief stroll quickly turned out to be an impediment course and sweaty exercise.
The trail up the hill consisted of momentary steps carved into the bottom, which have been of various heights, very steep and very slippery. One other issue is the omnipresence of a number of monkey households who have been very fascinated with us. We would have liked two makes an attempt for our journey to the point of view, as a result of the primary time the entire monkey gang blocked the best way and didn’t allow us to cross.
After we lastly made it to the highest, we have been rewarded with a fantastic view over the island world of West Sumatra. The numerous totally different shades of inexperienced, blue and brown have been actually mesmerizing to take a look at. However we couldn’t calm down too lengthy on the point of view, as we knew that we nonetheless had the best way down in entrance of us that may very well be lined with kind of inquisitive monkeys. However we made it down with none issues and rewarded ourselves with a really chilly beer for our handed journey.
Essentially the most stunning factor about this island for me was the shut proximity to the wealthy natural world. Generally possibly just a little TOO shut! One morning I stepped exterior the door of our bungalow and in entrance of me stood a household of untamed boars. After a second of observing one another, I cautiously withdrew and watched them from inside. Virtually daily we noticed smaller and bigger monitor lizards combating over the kitchen waste along with the wild boars and the omnipresent monkey gangs.
Jellyfish happen seasonally, however are somewhat innocent
Throughout the first days, numerous carcasses of jellyfish shimmering in purple lined the seashores – a mysterious phenomenon I couldn’t perceive. The useless jellyfish have been then collected and burned by the janitor. Additionally within the sea whereas snorkeling we might see quite a few residing and useless jellyfish.
On the primary day I unintentionally brushed one out of the best way whereas swimming, which led to a painful burn on my hand – however after a number of hours and a dab of vinegar it was all good once more and didn’t cease me from persevering with to swim within the fantastic water (the jellyfish abundance decreased quickly after day 2). The proprietor knowledgeable us that black and white water snakes nested within the picket stilts on which the jetty was constructed. We have been fortunate sufficient to not encounter any of those wondrous creatures, that are toxic however supposedly docile.
The sky lights up in all shades of the rainbow
Each night round 5.00 P.M. we sat down on the jetty with a chilly drink and watched how the colors of the sky modified from mild blue to orange, pink, purple after which darkish blue – I simply NEVER become bored with this.
Key phrase boring: this island shouldn’t be the best place for folks in search of an lively vacation. There may be not a lot to do besides swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, diving and climbing up the hills – however there may be peace, quiet and tranquility as a lot as you need. I like to recommend it particularly for individuals who have maybe already finished a spherical journey of Indonesia and have already seen the opposite hotspots of Sumatra. It’s the good end result of a visit to Sumatra.
From Padang airport you possibly can simply get to many different locations in Indonesia. There may be even a flight connection to Singapore. Two or three days on the island ought to be sufficient to recharge your batteries. Cubadak is a very uncomplicated, stunning little island for a fast break from civilization.
Concerning the writer
If she’s not doing yoga or racing round Indonesia on a bike, Lisa shall be discovered near a turquoise seashore, ideally a glass of pink wine in her hand and sand between her toes. Having lived in Southeast Asia for greater than 4 years, she’s fallen deeply for this a part of the world – if solely there was extra ‘actual’ Pizza round! You possibly can observe her travels and hunt for Pizza on Instagram: @lisa_asia
