The Bajo has existed on the island of Bungin since 200 years ago. The houses on this island are built on sand and coral mounds that cling to each other and there is almost no space left. The nickname of the most populous island in the world has now become the main attraction of foreign tourists.

Unlike a common island in Bungin you will not find beach or coast. The reason is, every inch of the island has been fixed with people’s homes. As soon as you set foot on Bungin Island, you will be greeted with a very crowded village nuance. On either part of the island you will only see houses standing side by side.

Credit: Ahpictures from Twitter

Currently Bungin Island is one of the tourist destinations in Sumbawa Regency. If you have plan to visit this island don’t miss the chance to taste the Bajo delicious and tasty seafood culinary. The island has some floating restaurants that serves many seafood dishes. The price is very affordable. Tourists can enjoy fresh fishes and choose the fishes directly from the fish breeding ponds.

Administratively, Bungin Island is situated in Alas District, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Although the island is relatively small, there are two docks there which are located in south and west part of the island. Also eventhough dubbed as the most populous island, residents of Bungin Island remain pleasant there. They feel warm and comfortable and do not want to move to the nearest island on mainland of Sumbawa which is still unpopulated.

Other than exploring every turn of Bungin Island, you can also see the procession of house construction there. Unlike anywhere else, to build a house here does not require land at all. Usually the inhabitants set up the house foundation using dead coral. It seem that the Bungin Island is getting wider because many houses stand outside the actual island.

Credit: Twitter

Another option to enjoy Bungin Island is the sunset by the beach. Sitting on the pier with a crowded environment and accompanied by sunlight that begin to dim becomes an unforgettable experience. Bungin Island itself has no coastline and green land. The absence of green land makes it difficult for cattle on this island to find food. Because of the difficulty, the cattle here are even forced to eat rubbish and the remnants of paper or cardboard.

Currently there is almost no empty land of the island because every year the island continues to get wider. Reclamation is the only option to have house to accommodate the newly married family. Averagely, there are 100 new houses every year on this island. The island which has 8.5 hectares wide is occupied by around 3,400 people. Most of the Bungin people are the descent of Bajau Tribe from South Sulawesi, known as the sea nomads and skillful divers.

If you want to explore Bungin Island, you can go around while chatting with friendly people of Bajo Tribe. From the mainland, the Bungin Island can be reached using a motorboat or by land through an artificial road. From Lombok Island you can travel from Kayangan Harbor, East Lombok heading to Poto Tano District, Sumbawa. The trip will take approximately six to eight hours to arrive at Bungin Island.

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Sumbawa has an area of ​​14,386 kilometres, and is the largest island in the province of West Nusa Tenggara, and one of the two main islands in the province. Its highest point is Mount Tambora (2,824 m), which is also an active volcano.

Moreover, Sumbawa has many attractive natural tourist destinations suitable for those who have an adventurous spirit and here is a review of some best tourist attractions in Sumbawa that must be in your itinerary list.

1. Kenawa Island

Credit: Phinemo

The most attractive tourist destination on the island of Sumbawa is Kenawa Island. It is located in Poto Tano, West Sumbawa Regency. This uninhabited island is famous for its vast savannah grasslands. Interestingly, there is a medium-sized hill in the middle of the island. The tourists can climb it in just 10 minutes.

From the top of the hill which is not too high, you will see the whole charm of Kenawa Island, from its green savannahs, clean white sand beaches to its clear blue sea. The tourists can also enjoy the beauty of the underwater by snorkeling or diving.

2. Paserang Island

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After visiting Kenawa Island, you can also visit another exotic island, Paserang Island. It is located in Poto Tano, West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of Paserang Island by trekking. For the trekking path, there are two roads, which are the west side and the east side. If you choose the west side, then you can enjoy the beauty of Mount Rinjani. Meanwhile, if you choose the east side, you can enjoy the expanse of blue sea which is very exotic.

Facilities in Paserang Island are more complete compared to Kenawa Island, such as the availability of toilets, electric lighting and gazebo. Moreover, you can also swimming or snorkeling because the waves are calm. To reach the island you just simply rent a boat with a rental fee of around Rp 500,000 with a maximum capacity of 10 people. By renting a boat, you can also visit Kenawa Island because the two locations are nearby.

3. Maluk Beach

Credit: Iqbalkautsar

The third tourist attractions in Sumbawa that must be in your itinerary list is the Maluk Beach. The location of the beach is quite remote, which is located in the Jereweh District, West Sumbawa Regency. This beach is a paradise for surfers because it has nice waves and among the surfers Maluk is considered one of the best beaches in the world.

Besides being able to surf, tourists can also enjoy the beauty of the sea while sitting leisurely on the soft white sand of the beach while waiting for the sunset with great charm. The tourists can also watch the sea turtles in turtle breeding sanctuary near the beach.

4. Gili Bedil

Credit: RealitaRakyat

Gili Bedil is another marine tourism in Sumbawa which is very charming. The stretch of white and soft sandy beaches, the clear blue sea water and many coconut trees on the beach are some extraordinary things that make Gili Bedil definitely worth a visit. The location of Gili Bedil is in Labuan Bajo, Utan District, Sumbawa.

Besides being able to enjoy the beauty of its very exotic beach scenery, tourists can also swim, snorkel or dive to enjoy the beauty of the sea. Gili Bedil is also often used as a transit point for foreign tourists who have previously vacationed on other islands such as Komodo Island and Moyo Island.

5. Mata Jitu Waterfall

Credit: SuperAdventure

Another popular tourist destination on Sumbawa is the Mata Jitu Waterfall. This exotic waterfall was once visited by members of the British royal family, the late Princess Diana. Princess Diana was fascinated by the beauty of the waterfall which has seven ponds.

Other than having seven ponds, Mata Jitu Waterfall has also four steps and stalactites with various shapes that adorn the surface of the waterfall wall which certainly adds to the beauty of the waterfall that has a nicknamed the “Queen Waterfall”. The location of Mata Jitu Waterfall is quite isolated which is hidden behind the Moyo Island Forest, Sumbawa.

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The Moyo Festival is aimed to escalate the tourism sector and creative economy while at the same time to generate cultural arts of Sumbawa Regency. The tourism sector and creative economy so far have been able to boost the local economy sector.

The 2019 Moyo Festival is fulfilled with a series of interesting events such as Carnival, Cultural Parade, Cultural Festival, UMKM Expo Exhibition, UMKM Business Meeting, Tourism Dialogue, Jambore Kader Konserpasi, Moyo Island Nature Cruising, Jaran Utama, Melala Satu Muharam, Sampan (Boat) Race, Mission Contest, Cultural Discussion, Focus Group Discussion, Corn Festival, Rantok 1000 Denek, Samawa Sepuloka, Pentas Budaya Empang and also Traditional Bull Race.

Barapan Kebo – Credit: InfoPublik

Tourist attractions which can be visited by participants are vary. They can take some tours visiting several interesting places on Moyo Island such as Diwu Mbai Waterfall, Mata Jitu Waterfall, Sengalo Waterfall, Tanjung Pasir Beach, Takat Sagele, Poto Jarum Beach as well as Brang Sedo Beach.

Tanjung Pasir Beach – Credit: TripZilla

If you are a culinary lover, you can try the Singang which is a typical Sumbawa food made from fresh fishes. There are also sepat, gecok, Palopo Porridge, Manjareal, Palumara and Tumi Sepi Sambal Balado.

Singang – Credit: TrendsMap

Boat trip will take more time before reaching the Moyo Island. Therefore it would be better if you add extra budget to buy plane ticket from Lombok to Sumbawa Besar because it only takes 45 minutes flight. After arrived in Sumbawa Besar then you can continue the journey using a boat to Moyo Island.

There are several accommodation types available on the Island of Moyo which are guest houses, homestays, luxury resorts and star hotels. Popular among them are Amanwana Hotel, Maleo Moyo Seaside Resort and Davi Homestay Bar and Restaurant.

The Moyo Festival which is initiated by the West Nusa Tenggara Province Tourism and Creative Economy Institution is part of the Indonesia 100 Calendar of Event 2019.

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