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 The cozy
Sabang is an historical town and it shows. Many old
colonial buildings are still standing, shadowed by huge trees that
the Dutch once imported from Suriname. Sabang is one of the few
towns in Indonesia which still has a sleepy old colonial atmosphere
combined with a very social and friendly people.
 Due to its
excellent harbor and good water supply Sabang became an important
coal loading station for ships en route between Europe and Asia.
Sabang was once even bigger than Singapore. The Merbabu Graveyard
has many odd and interesting gravestones.
The main attraction is however the atmosphere and the people. It is
a pity not to try it out. Enjoy eating out, the coffee shops, the
morning market and the nearby beaches. Pantai Kasih is a very nice
beach in walking distance. Further down are the beaches Pantai Tapak
Gajah and Sumur Tiga. The reefs along Sabang Fair are reportedly
nice for snorkeling.
FOOD & DRINK
Don't miss the traditional Acehnese coffee shop. Order a
cup of coffee and sit down. Traditional cakes on a plate will be
placed in front of you. When you are finished just tell how many you
had. The locally grown Acehnese coffee is excellent. It is normally
filtered before served, however, in the countryside the coffee is
sometimes served unfiltered. If you cannot wait for the coffee beans
to sink, remove them with a spoon. The remaining beans you just spit
out. Beware of coffee shops serving instant coffee. Support the
local coffee farmers! A small glass costs normally Rp. 2.000-3.000.
All kinds of Noodles, called "mie" in Indonesia,
are popular in Sabang. "Mie Jalak" is a Sabang specialty.
Pulau Baru on Jl. Perdagangan 29B has become famous for it. A
portion is Rp. 8.000. For good Minangkabau food (West Sumatra style)
try Lumbung Sari on Jl. Perdagangan 7 (Ph: 0658-22678) or Perkasa
Utama on Jl. Perdagangan 157 (Ph: 21185). For Chinese try the
somewhat fancier restaurant Dynasty. Aneka Ria has nice and price
worthy sandwiches. Nice BBQ Chicken and Octopus Satay are sold in
two stalls opposite Lumbung Sari a bit to the right. Otherwise there
are many restaurants and food stalls along Jl. Perdagangan and its
vicinity. Beyond the RSU hospital on the sea front are a few nice
places serving juices and light food in the evenings.
Beer or other alcoholic beverages are normally not
available in restaurants, but in places serving Westerners,
alcoholic beverages are often available for non-Muslims.
ACCOMMODATION
- Sabang Hill
The classical hotel with the grand view over Sabang town is
still under a major renovation.
- Nagoya Inn
Jl. Cut Meutia 34. Tel: 0652-22311, 0812 699 6068 (Mr. Parlan).
9 rooms. Aircon, bathroom, hot water, satellite TV: Rp.
250-325.000, incl. breakfast.
- Sabang Guesthouse
Jl. T. Umar 23-25. Tel: 0652-21186. 8 rooms. With bathroom,
aircon: Rp. 250-350.000.
- Hotel Putra Salju
Jl. T. Umar 16. Tel: 0652-22747. 9 rooms. With aircon and
bathroom: Rp. 180-330.000.
- Pulau Jaya
Jl. Pulau Jaya 17. Tel: 0652-21344. 23 rooms. With fan:
35.000-112.500. With fan and bathroom: 110.000. With aircon,
bathroom, TV: 180.000.
- Kartika (former Sabang Jaya)
Jl. T. Umar 17-19. Tel: 0652-22168. 14 rooms. With fan: from
30.000. Fan and bathroom: 85.000. With Aircon: 150.000.
- Losmen PUM (former Irma)
Jl. T. Umar 3. Tel: 0652-21148. 13 rooms: With fan: Rp.
50.000-75.000. With aircon, bathroom, TV: 130.000.
- Losmen Sabang-Merauke
Off Jl. T. Umar. Tel: 0652-21928 12 rooms. With fan: Rp.
30.000-60.000 for one, two or three beds.
- Losmen Calok
Jl. Malahayati. Tel/fax: 0852-22535. calok@gmail.com 9 rooms.
Aircon and bathroom. Rp. 150-225.000.
- Hotel Holiday
Off Jl. Perdagangan. Tel: 0652-21131. 24 rooms. With fan and
bathroom: 50.000-140.000. With aircon: 175.000-350.000.
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Mess Pamen
Jl. Perdagangan 60. Ph: 0852 7766 1249. 5 rooms. With bath and
aircon: Rp. 125.000-175.000. Owned by the Water Police.
Strategic location.
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