The lesser-known isle just a hop-skip from Bali in a Fokker is called Lombok. It is different from Bali in many, many ways... and in fact, seems to share nothing more than a geographic proximity!
The traditional culture of Lombok is Sasak, a local version of Islam, although with many notable exceptions to the Islam practiced by most Muslim-Indonesians. In the area we visited in the North, there were still people living in traditional Sasak villages, however, many have now moved to the larger centers in pursuit of money and a more modern way of life. We also saw a few motorcycles on the traditional footpaths!
The Sasak take their pinang chewing even more seriously than the people of Papua! There are special boxes and tools devoted to the consumption of this mouth-reddening 'delicacy'!
... however, like the Papuans... they start young!
Our trip... after hopping off the Fokker, we hopped onto some motorbikes (rented at the airport), and after a visit with the very friendly and helpful Renjani Trekking people in Mataram, were on our way to Senaru village in the North. The trip north was interesting; at times lush and green, then stark and arid... A few of the scenes we passed along the way:
The 'head-carrying' picture. I don't know how it is that I don't have a picture of the women carrying woven baskets atop their heads with incredible balance - they were everywhere!
These 'barn' rooves, as I came to refer to them are typical Lombok style.
We had to stop for gas only once along the way, at this 'gas station'!
Along the way, one of our travel-mates Lisa toppled off her motorcycle, and although she wasn’t seriously injured, she certainly wasn’t getting back on. So, we had a motorcycle with no rider in the middle of nowhere, and oviously, an imminent change in plans.
Our plan was to stay at the base of Mount Rinjani (the highest mountain in Indonesia besides Papua). I still hope to come back and climb this giant; when there is more time, and in the right season! As you can see, the views were spectacular!
This was the view from the breakfast table.
We stayed at the base of the mountain for one night anyway since it was certainly too late to start the trek back to find a doctor that could check out Lisa's arm. The next morning, after sending Lisa safely on her way with a Canadian we met who lives in the mountain village, and happened to be going exactly where she needed to go (isn't it wonderful how things just work out like that!?), Cecilia and I went for a nice hike that went from Rice Paddys to Waterfalls through traditional villages on ancient footpaths.
After an invigorating bath at the waterfall whose waters are said to be therapeutic, we gathered up our things and headed to Senggigi to meet up with Lisa again. We opted for coastal road, which was windy but offered breath-taking views... of course, there were several construction zones along the way that made for an interesting jolting ride with two gals on a small scooter traversing potholes that all-but swallowed us up! Luckily we came out the other end of them all, a true test to my back-road dirt bikin' days! Oh, except that a heavy-equipment operator almost killed us with his swinging backhoe bucket! Just for that extra little adrenaline kick...
Because Lisa used to be the manager of a Sheraton hotel, she hooked us up with a great deal at the Sengiggi Sheraton, and we lived it up in true relaxation style for a few days on the beach! We used her 'injuries' as a good excuse to stay put, but really, this is just what the doctor ordered for all of us! Lots of beach. Lots of reading. Lots of lazing in the pool with the crocodiles. Aaah....
This goodness even included room service - WOW! (No, that is not the Indonesian pembantu with the tray of food! haha, sorry, Ceci!)
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