Monday, August 13, 2007
Day 1 – Sat 4 August 07 (Lombok)
Our SilkAir flight to Lombok departed at 8 am. We failed to do internet check-in this time, and realised that we should have gone 
to the SilkAir website instead of SQ. Nevertheless, we got to sit together and that’s what really matters. :)
The 2 hrs 40 mins journey did not feel long even though we did not have a personal flight entertainment system. 90% of the passengers on board were westerners, mostly expatriates with their family in toll. It gave us the impression that the ‘unspoiled’ island, east of Bali, could be a family-friendly holiday destination since there were so many young children on board.
On arrival at Mataram airport, we walked the empty tarmac to the exit, patiently waiting in line with the other passengers only to realize later that the queue was for obtaining tourist visa. So we whizzed past the queue, through the custom, and headed to the taxi counter at the airport entrance. We ordered a transfer to Senggigi Beach Hotel at RP50K (~$10).
On the way to the hotel, our driver struck a deal to take us around the island in the afternoon for RP250K, which at the end of the day became RP350K with tips and some haggling. Not very wise, sigh.
After checking into the hotel, our first stop was the Lombok Pearls Collection at Mataram. That’s when we were educated on the different types of pearls.
Pearls fit into 2 categories: freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater pearls are formed in mussels that live in lakes etc. Its natural colours are white, pink and yellow. Saltwater pearls on the other hand grow in oysters that live in the ocean, usually in protected lagoons. South sea saltwater pearls are usually white or golden in color. Pearls are classified by origin, then graded by size, shape, nacre thickness, color, luster and surface clarity. I purchased a pendant with 3
freshwater pearls which cost RP360K. The higher quality saltwater pearl commands a premium price.
Next we headed southwest and toured the craft villages noted for potteries (at Banyumulek) and traditional hand weaving (at Sukarare). We were next taken to Sade, a traditional Sasak village
located on the hill near to Kuta. The houses have thatched roofs and bamboo frames. The village shows the unique way of life of the Lombok native.
By then I was famished, and exhausted from the little sleep the night before and draining hot weather. After the tour, we headed to Kuta beach for our late lunch. We ordered the local specialty Ayam Taliwang (fried/grilled wild young chicken with chilli sauce). It was tasty, except that there was little meat to consume from the bony chicken!
We strolled along Lombok’s own Kuta beach after our meal. The ‘unspoiled’ picturesque sight provided great photo opportunity. On the way back to the hotel, we observed groups of children rehearsing their march past along the road for their upcoming Independence day. There were soccer games being played on large empty fields with many spectators watching, obviously a local pastime. We also saw the locals being transported on trucks with their arms and legs waving in the air, together with some cattle on board! It was an amusing sight but they were traveling too dangerously fast for me to snap any pictures.
In the evening, we walked from our hotel to the main street of Senggigi. There are many shops and restaurants lining the street. We had our dinner at Bumbu Restaurant that serves pretty good local and Thai cuisine. We were also entertained by a music band from across the street. The nightlife is quieter than Bali and there are fewer tourists. We are not complaining though…
We walked along Senggigi street for the rest of the evening and bought some woodenware from Bayang Lombok. We also booked our snorkeling trip for the next day with Dream Divers located along Senggigi street before heading back for an early night rest.
to the SilkAir website instead of SQ. Nevertheless, we got to sit together and that’s what really matters. :)The 2 hrs 40 mins journey did not feel long even though we did not have a personal flight entertainment system. 90% of the passengers on board were westerners, mostly expatriates with their family in toll. It gave us the impression that the ‘unspoiled’ island, east of Bali, could be a family-friendly holiday destination since there were so many young children on board.
On arrival at Mataram airport, we walked the empty tarmac to the exit, patiently waiting in line with the other passengers only to realize later that the queue was for obtaining tourist visa. So we whizzed past the queue, through the custom, and headed to the taxi counter at the airport entrance. We ordered a transfer to Senggigi Beach Hotel at RP50K (~$10).
On the way to the hotel, our driver struck a deal to take us around the island in the afternoon for RP250K, which at the end of the day became RP350K with tips and some haggling. Not very wise, sigh.
After checking into the hotel, our first stop was the Lombok Pearls Collection at Mataram. That’s when we were educated on the different types of pearls.
Pearls fit into 2 categories: freshwater and saltwater. Freshwater pearls are formed in mussels that live in lakes etc. Its natural colours are white, pink and yellow. Saltwater pearls on the other hand grow in oysters that live in the ocean, usually in protected lagoons. South sea saltwater pearls are usually white or golden in color. Pearls are classified by origin, then graded by size, shape, nacre thickness, color, luster and surface clarity. I purchased a pendant with 3
freshwater pearls which cost RP360K. The higher quality saltwater pearl commands a premium price.Next we headed southwest and toured the craft villages noted for potteries (at Banyumulek) and traditional hand weaving (at Sukarare). We were next taken to Sade, a traditional Sasak village
located on the hill near to Kuta. The houses have thatched roofs and bamboo frames. The village shows the unique way of life of the Lombok native.By then I was famished, and exhausted from the little sleep the night before and draining hot weather. After the tour, we headed to Kuta beach for our late lunch. We ordered the local specialty Ayam Taliwang (fried/grilled wild young chicken with chilli sauce). It was tasty, except that there was little meat to consume from the bony chicken!
We strolled along Lombok’s own Kuta beach after our meal. The ‘unspoiled’ picturesque sight provided great photo opportunity. On the way back to the hotel, we observed groups of children rehearsing their march past along the road for their upcoming Independence day. There were soccer games being played on large empty fields with many spectators watching, obviously a local pastime. We also saw the locals being transported on trucks with their arms and legs waving in the air, together with some cattle on board! It was an amusing sight but they were traveling too dangerously fast for me to snap any pictures.
In the evening, we walked from our hotel to the main street of Senggigi. There are many shops and restaurants lining the street. We had our dinner at Bumbu Restaurant that serves pretty good local and Thai cuisine. We were also entertained by a music band from across the street. The nightlife is quieter than Bali and there are fewer tourists. We are not complaining though…
We walked along Senggigi street for the rest of the evening and bought some woodenware from Bayang Lombok. We also booked our snorkeling trip for the next day with Dream Divers located along Senggigi street before heading back for an early night rest.
Labels: Lombok
Penseur 6:08 PM