Lake Ranau accessible by land transportation

Getting There:

Merpati Airlines (a subsidiary of the Indonesian flag carrier Garuda) flies daily from Jakarta to Bandar Lampung, leaving Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 12:55 p.m. and 2:25 p.m. Other daily flights leave from Halim Perdanakusumah domestic terminal in East Jakarta at 7:05 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., and 4:20 p.m.

Buses to Bandar Lampung (a bus-ferry-bus service) leave regularly (24 hours a day) from Kalideres Bus Terminal, near the Soekarno-Hatta Airport. The air-conditioned buses are comfortable, and take about eight hours to reach Bandar Lampung.

From Bandar Lampung to Lake Ranau takes six hours by bus. The buses depart from Rajabasa Terminal on the northern side of the city. An alternative is hiring a car. However, the concept of "U- drive" hasn't really caught on yet in Indonesia. Best to bargain with a taxi driver for a chauffeured vehicle. Allow about US$40 a day, including fuel.

From Palembang, it is a seven-hour bus trip via Baturaja.

Where to Stay:

Bandar Lampung:

A recommended mid-range hotel is the new Sari Dami Hotel on Jalan A. Yani, just a five-minute minibus ride from the heart of town. Immaculate and comfortable, the rooms range from Rp 19,000 (US$9.50) to Rp. 32,000 ($16) a night. Tel (0721) 71936.

Alternatives:

* Hotel Marcopolo ($22 to $50), tel (0721) 62511.

* Sheraton Inn ($65 to $250), tel (0721) 63696.

* Losmen Gunung Sari ($5 to $6), 21, Jl. Kota Raja.

Lake Ranau:

In Banding Agung:

Hotel Seminung Permai, Jl. Akmal. Rooms: meals Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,500.

Hotel Danau Indah, in lane off Jl. Akmal. Same style and price range as Seminung Permai.

On Eastern Lakeshore:

Danau Ranau Cottages Rp 40,000 ($18) to Rp 50,000 ($22) a day including breakfast.

Restaurant attached. Excellent value. For bookings write:

Danau Ranau Cottage

Sukamarga

Sumatra Selatan

Indonesia 32175

Wisma Polri, a state-owned hotel on the hill behind the Lake Ranau cottages. Excellent lake views and good home cooking. Rp 16,000 ($8) to Rp 26,000 ($13), room only.

-- Graham Simmons