Lake Ranau accessible by land transportation
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