The Beautiful Weh Island

Now I want to share some information about going to Sabang Weh island. First let me correct the common misunderstanding about Sabang. Sabang is actually a city, the capital city of Weh island. I even did not stay any night at Sabang Yeah, after doing some research, I found out that Gapang and Iboih (read. Iboh, in Aceh language means "is put", dunno what's philosophy in it) are the perfect places for diving and snorkeling. So those were my main destination. "Weh" in Aceh language means "go away", maybe because it is isolated from other Aceh regions.Here is the ferry schedule between Ulee Lheue harbour in Banda Aceh with Balohan harbour in Weh island.
Express ferry (45 minutes)
Price: Economy - 60.000 IDR, Executive (AC) - 70.000 IDR, VIP - 90.000 IDR
Ulee Lheue - Balohan: 10.00 and 16.00 WIB
Balohan - Ulee Lheue: 08.30 and 15.00 WIB
Slow ferry is cheaper (about 15.000 IDR per person) and able to take vehicles in it, but it sails for 2 hours.

In Balohan, there are many public transportations (car that can be filled by 10 people) have waited, they are called L300. To Gapang/Iboih, we can charter 1 car (300.000 - 500.000 IDR) or just pay per seats (50.000 IDR per person).

Resorts (offer bungalows) in Gapang:
1. Leguna (ph. +628126951415)
2. Flamboyan (ph. +6281360272270)
3. Lumba-Lumba (ph. +62811682787)
Lumba-Lumba is the most exclusive one. I spent a weekend night there for 25 euro (while other resorts will cost about 250.000 IDR), but they only provide accomodations for their divers. So if you use their diving services or equipments, you are allowed to book a bungalow. Lumba-Lumba diving center is owned by a dutch couple, while the rest resorts are managed by local people. I took an introduction dive course, 1 professional dive master was only for me. For the price lists, you can check at the website. I do not know if this is just a temporary euphoria, but I can not wait for my next diving! It is a nice experience, I think I want to learn it seriously

Gapang to Iboih only takes 3 km. Not like Gapang, accommodations in Iboih are more poor, suitable for backpacker. They only offer basic needs for staying. So I and my friend decided to stay the night at Gapang and go to Iboih in the afternoon. I went there by renting a motorcycle (50.000 IDR for half day, 80.000 IDR for full day). In Iboih, I took fiber glass boat to go around Rubiah island to see the Sea Garden. With fiber glass boat, we can see the corals, fishes and other sea creatures under. It costs 250.000 IDR. There are many dive sites, but I just did snorkeling, with fear. Haha the next island to Rubiah is Seulako, people said we can find many sharks there T.T it was so frightening me out *haha culun* Although the boat-driver said my snorkeling place is far from Seulako, but still it's the sea rite! They can go to any part of the sea Well I was afraid maybe because I jumped to the sea alone. While when I dived in Gapang, I did it together with a professional guide, so I even felt excited when I see a little shark in my first diving Ohh for snorkeling, we can rent the equipments each cost 15.000 IDR.
From Gapang, I went to Sumur Tiga for relaxing in Santai resort, owned by Freddie (a south african old nice guy). You can contact Pak Walid (ph. +6281377384747) from Kedai Naguna (one of restaurants in Gapang) to take you from Gapang to... anywhere you want using (still) L300. It cost me 50.000 IDR from Gapang to Sumur Tiga.

Freddie have two resorts there: Santai and Casa Nemo, really closed to the beach, very perfect place for relaxing (just like its name, Santai means "relax" in Bahasa). I was swimming (read. playing with the water ), sleeping on the lazy-beach-chair, playing scrabble, domino, snake and ladder with friends, reading books and magazine upon a swing... like heaven! (And I wonder why the good resorts are always owned by the foreigners)

Price list in Santai (ph. +6281360255001).
Bungalow: weekend - 275.000 IDR, weekday - 225.000 IDR
Ensuite room: weekend - 250.000 IDR, weekday - 210.000 IDR
Eating (buffet): Breakfast: 30.000 IDR, Lunch: 40.000 IDR, Dinner: 50.000 IDR
Transportation Balohan - Resort: 25.000 IDR
Transportation Resort - Balohan: 20.000 IDR
For the bungalow, staying at Freddie is indeed cheaper than Lumba-Lumba. But in Gapang, we can find many warung (local restaurants) along the beach in cheap price. While in Sumur Tiga, it's hard to find warung so we need to order in the resort. So at the end, it costs more when staying in Sumur Tiga -__- (the breakfast is wonderful, but I sooo regretted paying for dinner hehe *mestinya makan Pop Mie aja*).

Last, I cried on the ferry back to Banda Aceh. I promised myself for going to Weh again someday *mellow mode on*