Beaches in Bulukumba are Better than Bali
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| Kasuso Beach |
I am really jealous of Bali. How
come this small island can be a paradise for tourists. I
am jealous of foreign tourists strolling along the streets of Kuta and Legian,
Bali and as if it is their own hometown. They
look so relaxed and did not hesitate when walking along the sidewalk.
Bali is famous for its natural beauty, especially the
beach that stretches along the coast of this island. But
if only the beauty of the beaches, Bali is nothing if i compared with my hometown,
Bulukumba. But I
have to admit, there is something in Bali. Not
only natural beauty, but also the blending between culture and customs.
Before I set foot in Bali, I often met with friends
who have ever been in Bali, which says that, the beaches in Bulukumba much more
beautiful than Bali. At first
I did not believe. Because,
if the beach in Bali is not really beautiful, why did so many tourists comes
there.
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| kasuso |
Last week I went there for the first time. When I see Kuta beach, Seminyak and Legian, I realized that my friend was true. In those places, I get a view of the mediocre. Beaches with gray or black sand are not interesting for me. Because in my hometown, the beach has white soft sand.
But the strengths of the three beaches are the high and
scary waves. It
makes Kuta always crowded by tourists who do surfing attraction. Such
a view I've never seen in Bulukumba, both in Tanjung Bira, Kasuso, Bara, and
other beaches. I
conclude that the beaches in Bali more suited to men who love surfing, while
the beach in Bulukumba more suitable for women who love to sunbathe,
especially who want to discolor the skin.
But in fact, Bulukumba still not as popular and busy as
Bali. Bulukumba more deserted and silence. This is what makes me jealous. I want Bulukumba can get
crowded as Bali. Because,
Bulukumba also has many tourism objects. It's just not managed properly.
During this time, if we are talking about Bulukumba, perhaps
people just know Tanjung Bira beach.
But in
fact, there are many other more beautiful beaches. In
one occasion last year, I have ever took time to visit five beach in one time
in Bulukumba. Tanjung
Bira, Kasuso, Bara, Mandala Ria and Samboang.
 |
| Kasuso Beach |
Of the five beaches, the more I fell in love with is Kasuso.
However,
this beach is not maintained as a tourist destination. This beach is located
near residential areas. The beach has shorter
coastline than Tanjung Bira. The
water is clear blue and calm. The sand
is white and soft. When you start to step on the beach, your feet would sink
into the sand.
What I'm thinking is, if the beaches in Bulukumba managed
seriously, the revenue that Local Government can obtained is certainly not
small. I
think Bulukumba’s Government is not having much interest of tourism. Though this is the greatest
asset in Bulukumba. Bulukumba
regent himself, Zainuddin Hassan admits this. I
had an interview with him, and he said that Bulukumba has a potential enough of
tourism.
Zainuddin said, he has a plan to build airports for easy
access to Bulukumba. "The
track is a Bali-Makassar-Bulukumba," he said when I interviewed him in
last 2012. I was amazed at
the idea. But
for me, the most important is to maximize the potential of tourism. An
airport would not be significant if the potential object has not been
developed, and access and facilities at tourist sites have not been addressed.
 |
| Bara Beach |
In Bali, tourists are not just looking for the beach. Bali is a comfortable place. There, the beauty
of nature and culture fused into one. Bali is rich in artists. Painter, engraver and sculptor. In
addition, the Balinese have high awareness to obey the rules, especially the
rules of traffic.
In one of the streets in Kuta at night, I wonder when a
car stopped suddenly in the middle of the road. Initially I
thought the car was damaged or breaking down. But
once I arrived at the opposite side of the road, the car was re-launched. I
was aware, the car was stopped to give me a way. It
is a simple thing that I always remember and make me comfortable strolling
there.
My friends recognized the same things. They
appreciate the attitude of motorists in treating pedestrians. This is a usual attitude. But I have
never seen this in the town where I live. In Makassar, riders will condemn the
pedestrians if they feel disturbed.
This incident made me realize, to create a tourism area, what
we need to addressed not only the
tourism object, but also the behavior and attitude of its
local people. Because
the ethics of the residents of the area will make the tourists feel at home.
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| Pinisi |
Bali has Kuta, Sanur, Seminyak, Tanah Lot, Ubud, Lake
Batur and others. Bulukumba
has Tanjung Bira, Kasuso, and other beaches. Bulukumba
also has many small islands that can be managed for the diving or
snorkeling. Bulukumba
have Pinisi ship industry, a legendary ship that has delivered Bugis sailors
exploring the world. Bulukumba
also had Tanah Toa, a traditional village in Kajang. But when we
could be as popular as Bali? (Anies)