All the bungalows that made Pulau Banyak famous in the 1990ies are
all gone. New losmen and bungalows are slowly starting to appear
again after the martial law and the tsunami. At the moment there are
only accommodations in the villages of P. Balai and Haloban. Small
basic eco-resorts have opened on Pulau Palambak Besar and
Pulau Tailana. These two places can be recommended if you want
to stay in a beach bungalow. The regency government is since several
years in the process of opening a place on Palambak Besar. Another
alternative is to do island hopping and go camping with a chartered
boat or canoe. See under WHAT
TO SEE AND DO. Maybe the best alternative is to take a kayaking
tour, see under KAYAKING.
The local diet consists mainly of fish and rice. Vegetables and
fruit are normally imported from the mainland. Alcohol is only sold
on the black market. The beach accommodations will have their own
restaurants, but one should be aware that not all kinds of
vegetables and fruit are always available. To go to these
accommodations, ask their agents in P. Balai. To Palambak Besar it
cost Rp. 50.000 one way in traditional canoe (1,5 hrs) or app.
300.000 one way with speedboat (30 minutes).
Desa P. Balai and Haloban are the only places with formal restaurants. In other
villages food can be arrange by locals if ordered in advance. The
shops are still basic. What you need to bring yourself is sun
lotion, clothes, and books if you like to read.
 WHERE TO EAT IN P. BALAI
Warung Pahrel, Jl. Makmur. Coffee, pancakes, fried rice,
etc. Info in English.
Lei Kombih and Putri, the two accommodations, also
serve food. See below.
Heldi's Warung is the place to discuss local politics and
get the latest news. It has a strategic location and the coffee is
good. Fried rice and noodles are available and in morning also "lontong".
A Yani's is a pleasant alternative for fried and white
rice and juice. Open 08.00-23.00.
Further away on Jl. Surya, near the SMA-school is Warung Neri.
Also nice.
At the public harbor are several
coffee and food stalls. Many of them compete with their loud music.
Can be very lively when the ferry arrives or when there are trawlers
from Sibolga in the harbor.
Try Warung Selamat Datang just on the narrow beach. They
serve some food, cakes, pancakes and bananas.
WHERE TO SLEEP IN P. BALAI
Putri, Jl. Iskandar Muda 43. Ph: +62813 9737 6499. 14
rooms, fan or aircon, with or without attached bathroom; Rp.
60-100.000. Restaurant.
Lei Kombih, Jl. Iskandar Muda 1, Ph: 085296895929 (some
English) 10 rooms w. fan, no attached bathroom; Rp. 30-40.000.
Restaurant.
Nanda, Jl. Makmur. Ph: +62813 9768 5036, for English: +852
6025 6146. 6 rooms. With fan
Rp. 50.000. With air-con and attached bathroom Rp. 80-120.000.
WHERE TO EAT AND SLEEP IN HALOBAN
 What
we here call Haloban is actually two villages grown together;
Haloban and Asantola. There is no restaurant or food stall in
Haloban, but the only losmen, Sederhana Aleng Moon, serve
food. Many consider they have the best food in Pulau Banyak. There
are a few coffee shops though, for example Flamboyan, open
06.00-02.00, near the boat landing. They can serve you instant noodles if needed.
Sederhana Aleng Moon, Desa Asantola. (near health center).
Ph:0813 9745 8156 (Mrs. Surni). 6 rooms, no attached bathroom, Rp.
40.000. Food available. Near the forest.
Penginapan Long Beach, Jl. PLN. Ask for Sahmil. 2 rooms, no
attached bathroom. Not ready yet, but open if Sederhana is full.
Penginapan Alenta, 4 rooms. Ph: 081396064592 Mr. M. Tahir
Nasution. Not ready yet, but open if Sederhana is full.
WHERE TO STAY ON PULAU PALAMBAK BESAR
Pondok Alam Palambak (PAP), northern shore of Palambak
Besar. Ph: 085276503937 and 081263322839. Three bungalows with
attached bathrooms are being built. Rp. app. 85.000 per night.
The Point (Pondok Pemda) on the northwestern point of
Palambak Besar. Ph: 0813 76076329. 2 rooms are now ready for guests.
Rp. 70.000. Transport
WHERE TO STAY ON PULAU TAILANA
Pondok Tailana on Pulau Tailana. Ph: 085296718219 (English).
Three bungalows without attached bathroom are being built. |
