Indonesia | Jan 22-25 2023 |
Left Lumba Lumba Dive Resort for Sabang. Did a quick tour around town, then further around island, checked out Freddy's, probably the most well-known resort on Weh. Caught ferry, then 17km drive to Lhoknga, a popular surf locale. Stayed 3 nights at Eddy's. Lhoknga is pretty much pure bliss: quiet, no party scene, a great mix of surfer types from all over world. Along with Weh, it's one of the most chilled places I have seen in Indo. This is ground zero of the 2004 tsunami, lot's of remnants and memorials. Water pushed 7km inland here, hard to imagine.
When I first arrived, some manic-looking old surfer dude rode up to me asking if I had ridden my bike from Bali (based on my license plate number). He had, with his 9.5ft surfboard. Note that Bali is at least 2 weeks of solid daily riding away. I took a photo of him, but he had reservations, as he"didn't want any US government agencies to find him online". I think he was serious...
Side note: I first came here in 1991. Coming from Sabang, I had idea to travel down the west coast of northern Sumatra. Went into the bank in Banda Aceh, and met 3 grizled surfer dudes. They were shocked to see a solo tourist, asked me where I was going, and said "you. are coming with us". Stayed about 5 days there. And I think I found the bungalow we stayed in, looked like it had been wiped out in tsunami.
Drive: 3 hrs including ferry
Stay: Eddie's Homestay | $16.50
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