Tough and Beautiful Lombok

So we have finally arrived to Gilis, Lukas' long awaited destination. After landing at Lombok Airport we realised that public transport would be time-consuming so we have taken a 'black' taxi. We have negotiated the price down so hopefully rp200,000 wasn't too expensive for two hour ride to Bangsal. As expected they have tried to inflate the price of port entry and force us to take private boat, but in the end we have paid only what was on the ticket rp2500pp and my resolute public boat order worked and the taxi driver took us to the correct office. After purchasing our ticket for only rp10,000 we waited only about 20mins until the public boat was full and our ride to Gili Trawangan could begin.

We have been awaited by a staff from a hotel we booked in advance. He walked us through the main street of Gili T before he turned into a paradise called Martas Hotel. The rooms are actually a two story bungalows with bathroom and outside sitting area downstairs and huge room upstairs. The outdoor area has a nice pool with lot of vegetation, most of it was in blossom during our stay. We were still jet-lagged so we just hang around the pool and later drop into one of the beachfront restaurant for a dinner. While drinking our cocktails we watched the sunset. So romantic.

The following day we borrowed a bikes and snorkels from the hotel and went on the journey around the island. There are no cars or motorbikes on all Gilis. The only things that you have to be wary about are bikes and traditional cimodo, a small cart with a horse, the local taxi or lorry whatever is needed. The north of the island is a perfect snorkeling place so we had a lunch at Karma Kayak so we could use their sunbeds. I used to snorkel long time ago in Croatia, but this was something different.

The following day we went on the snorkeling tour around all three Gilis. We managed to see some turtles and lot of neon and other types of fishes. We stopped for delicious meal at Gili Air.

The rest of our stay at Gilis we enjoyed great meals and hotel pool. We were not happy to leave. But there was mountain to climb so we booked a guide and porters and headed off to Senaru, village below Mt Rinjani, second highest volcano in Indonesia.

After a night in a really basic hotel, we started our track with a group of five plus one guide and three porters. They carried all our food and equipment so we could focus only on the demanding climb. Guides are compulsory so many climbers book the whole package that include transport in and out of Senaru, porters, food and equipment. Indonesians made from climbing a big business so you can see a real beginners on the track, some of them struggle a lot. Even though we have some experience and we have chosen only a track to crater rim for two days we did not at all find it easy. You start at 600m and the rim is at 2600m so the daily ascent is enormous 2000m. But the experience is rewarding. Seeing how the nature is changing in front of your eyes and the view of the volcano from the tops is just perfect. Porters took really good care of us and cooked great restaurant-like meals.

After a descent on the following day we headed of to Kuta Lombok, a surfing paradise. Everybody is using motorbikes so we had to borrow one ourselves as well. We went on to explore a nearby traditional Sasak village at Rimbatan. A guide took us around and explained customs like kidnapping girlfriends before marriage as parents never agree with it:-) or making floors out of clay mixed with cows' poo.

Afterwards we headed to the beautiful Mawau beach. The only obstacle was a road full of potholes. Well, just a few potholes would be fine, but this road was horrendous. Luky described it as a 'Rally of Lombok'. He dealt with it nicely until the bike slipped just around zero speed:-). A few bruises and scratches was well worth it when we saw the amazing beach. With only couple of people there the beach was a reason why people fly so big distance to get to this paradise.