Tanjung Menangis - Sumbawa

If you ask what is the most popular place in Sumbawa right now, the answer might me Tanjung Menangis. Tanjung means cape and menangis means cry. Based on its legend it says that long ago a lady jumped to the ocean cause his father didn’t allow her to marry a guy she loved, well bad decision, young lady! Your father probably was right, maybe he knew the guy was not good for you. Man always knows when other man is no good.

Besides very close to city center, Tanjung Menangis is also a good place for camping, swimming and a good sunset spot. Located in the north part of Sumbawa Island, 30 minutes driving from Sumbawa Besar. Government is now developping the area and still working on the road. Can’t be reached by car so i suggest you to use a motorbike. The new road is still so dusty and slippery so gotta be careful driving.

I 1st went there with some friends by motorbike and at that time still no other access besides driving through someone’s garden then passed the forest. It was pretty difficult driving through the forest but now they made another road to get there. Even tho it is still not finished yet but many people go there especially for watching sunset. There is a tower that nowadays becoming a popular spot for people to take a selfie. The tower is pretty old and fragile, but some people are willing to take a risk as long as they can take a good selfie pictures. Oh btw i did once climb the tower and took some pictures -_- but after i climbed back down i then realized it was stupid and would never do that anymore :D...already had enough selfie pictures there :D

The other fun activity we can do in Tanjung Menangis is jumping to the ocean from the cliff, well i don’t do that but it’s like everybody else does. The water is pretty deep so i never wanna take a risk since i can’t swim, i got enough risks from climbing the tower already. The water is so clear, you can even see the fish swimming from the top of the cliff. If i could swim i would do that ‘Into The Wild’ jumping style and they said the underwater is pretty good. I never seen it myself but i got some underwater pictures from friends i went with.

The other way to get down to the ocean besides jumping is to climb down the cliff but it was pretty difficult and annoying with its sharp rocks. It’s like no good options for me to completely enjoy besides sitting there staring at the ocean taking pictures, watching people swimming, snorkeling, diving wishing i could do the same.

I once went camping too, not on the cliff but on the other side of Tanjung Menangis. Well it has some nice camping spots. Bad thing is the more people go there the more dirty it becomes. On my 2nd coming it was sooo many people and trash everywhere. I don’t understand how come people like beautiful place but they are the ones who ruin the beauty, sigh......people suck.

But since it’s getting more and more popular, i hope local government would do something more in managing or taking care of the place especially about trash. Self awareness is needed too, for those who love enjoying nature should also taking care of the place by keeping it clean.