In hosting the MotoGP, tourism in Mandalika is expected to become active again. This time, domestic tourists are leading the pack; of course, while complying with the health protocols.
By
AGUNG SETYAHADI
·6 minutes read
AGUNG SETYAHADI
View of the Mandalika Circuit from Bukit Seger, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Monday (14/2/2022), became one of the tourist sites that can be visited during the Indonesian MotoGP race weekend at the Mandalika Circuit, 18-20 March 2022..
The Mandalika area in Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, does not only have the MotoGP racing circuit, but also natural attractions that refresh the spirit. Visiting the beautiful beaches in Mandalika is a nutritious appetizer before the main course of watching the MotoGP.
The Pertamina Grand Prix of the 2022 MotoGP at the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit is an estuary that brings together high-octane entertainment with the relaxed rhythm blowing in from a line of beautiful beaches. The two usually distant poles have now been connected by the atmosphere in Mandalika, waiting for visitors to come refresh their body and soul. People who have tickets to the MotoGP on 18-20 March 2022 can enjoy the nature of Mandalika, which is indeed mooi (beautiful), as well as the premier racing event, as though they were island hopping.
The most popular and constantly crowded beach is Kuta, which is located very close to the circuit. On this beach is a complete range of facilities from hotels, to cafes, and from restaurants to bars. The beach area is also providing entertainment during the MotoGP.
Adjacent to Kuta Beach is Seger Hill, which overlooks turn 10 on the Mandalika Circuit. This turn is the most iconic because the curb and the gravel-filled run-off area are painted to resemble the Sasambo (Sasak, Samawa, Mbojo) design that combines the textile motifs of the three tribes.
Seger Hill can be accessed by the road leading from the Novotel Hotel or from the road outside the circuit, which is entered at the front of the west tribune gate. On taking the road from the Novotel, visitors will pass a wooden bridge next to the Putri Mandalika Statue, which stands in the middle of a lagoon.
The best time to climb Seger Hill is before dawn, when it is still cool and hikers can see the sun rising from the horizon. Hiking from dusk to evening also presents a beautiful view of the stretch of the circuit that passes right by the beach. At this location are two hills, one of which Spanish driver Marc Marquez climbed during the MotoGP preseason test on 11-13 February. The racer on the Repsol Honda team took a selfie on a hilltop with a view of the sea behind him, which was uploaded to his Instagram account.
However, during the main racing event on the weekend of 18-20 March, all access to Seger Hill will be closed for safety reasons. Visitors who hike the hill before the first practice session on Friday (18/3) will still have the opportunity to look down on the circuit from the top of Seger Hill. Another option is to climb the hill early in the morning on Monday (21/3) to take photos of the panoramic view to take home on the return journey.
AGUNG SETYAHADI
Tanjung Aan Beach, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Monday (14/2/2022), with rocky hills that store ancient geological history. This beach is one of the tourist sites that can be visited during the weekend of the Indonesian MotoGP series at the Mandalika Circuit, March 18-20 2022.
Beautiful location
If visitors cannot enjoy Seger Hill because of time constraints, Mandalika has many other beautiful sites. Merese Hill is also iconic with its views over the Indian Ocean and in the distance, visitors can see turns 8, 9 and 10 of the Mandalika Circuit. Merese Hill can be accessed from the Sungung Traffic Circle heading towards Tanjung Aan Beach, and then turning right.
Merese Hill is where Dorna Sports bosses Carmelo Ezpeleta and Carlos Ezpeleta first set foot in Mandalika. They had time to sit on the grassy green hill with PT Tourism Indonesia Development (ITDC) president director Abdulbar M. Mansoer to look at the candidate circuit for the 2022 MotoGP.
The charming natural beauty of Merese Hill played an important role in convincing Dorna Sports to bring the MotoGP back to Indonesia. If visitors want to feel the sensation felt by the Ezpeleta father and son, go to Merese Hill. Morning and dusk are the best times to enjoy the panoramic view of the sea and feel the gentle breeze while enjoying a cup of coffee.
At the foot of Merese Hill is another place that is no less beautiful, namely Tanjung Aan Beach with its white sand that resembles white pepper, a typical spice of the Indonesian archipelago. Tanjung Aan Beach also has an interesting geological history, because it has the remains of an ancient submarine volcano. One of these is the ancient andesite rock that is near a rocky hill jutting into the sea.
Another stunning beach is Mawun, located along a mushroom-shaped bay flanked by hills. This beach has blue water that contrasts with the white sand and the yellow-green hills surrounding it. The calm atmosphere intertwines with the slow rhythm of the small waves arriving at the beach.
The sensation of Mawun Beach is strong no matter what time tourists visit. If they visit the beach during the day, they can sit in the shade of a tree while enjoying a refreshing young coconut.
AGUNG SETYAHADI
Children play football at Selong Belanak Beach, Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, Tuesday (15/2/2022). The beach, which is one of the favorites for surfing sports fans, is still empty of tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic..
Surfing attraction
If visitors want to learn how to surf, the best surfing spot is Selong Belanak Beach. There, the waves near the beach are big enough for surfing, so it is safe for even beginners. The surf shops that line the beach offer two-hour surfing courses at affordable rates.
If visitors are proficient at reading the currents and balancing their bodies, they can try the more challenging waves out in the open sea.
“It is safe to learn how to surf here because the waves are close to the beach and there is no coral beneath. Further out are corals, so good skills are needed,” said Sandi, who manages a surfing course at Selong Belanak.
“Many tourists who come here can't surf yet, but after they learn, they become addicted. [Visitors] come from Indonesia and abroad. [Surfing] is also great for burning fat,” he added.
“One of my guests four years ago came from England. On arrival, that guest weighed almost 100 kilograms. After learning to surf here, the guest became addicted. Now the guest is slim because of constant surfing,” said Sandi, who had not a single customer all day.
Many tourists who come here can't surf yet, but after they learn, they become addicted.
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought a halt to tourism in Mandalika, just like in other destinations around the world. Sandi and other tourism entrepreneurs hoped that the MotoGP would be the beginning of resuming economic activities in Lombok.
"Hopefully, with a lot of MotoGP spectators, someone will stop by the beach. That would be a lot of fun. We have been waiting too long for tourists to arrive. Hopefully the pandemic will end soon," said Sandi.
Surfing is indeed the most popular activity in Mandalika. There are many spots for this sport, from Gerupuk, Tanjung Aan, Seger, Mawun, Areguling, Mawi, and to Selong Belanak. The majority of surfers are foreign tourists, who were restricting from traveling to Mandalika during the pandemic.
In hosting the MotoGP, tourism in Mandalika is expected to become active again. This time, domestic tourists are leading the pack; of course, while complying with the health protocols.
