The week that followed the road trip was uneventful in comparison. With Lindsey away, I was left to work by myself. It allowed me to write more for Green Warriors and complete all the small tasks which was quite enjoyable but took a lot of self-motivation.
I spent most evenings at Beck's; laying out a spread of food that was amazing as always. I met one of Becks's friends, Anna, who had just spent a year volunteering on a permaculture project in Bangladesh. She too had studied Environmental Science, and found we had a lot in common. Unfortunately she headed to Lombok the following day, so our encounter was brief.
Anna's departure did inspire me and Beck's to make a trip to Lombok, however, deciding to do another road trip at the weekend. When Lindsey returned she headed straight to the Bike Rental and we got her a moped. I taught her how to ride and in a few days she had it under control. With her new found confidence, she hoped on the bike and headed with us to Lombok.
'Mr corupcy' was waiting at the dock and got us all to hand over driving licenses and registration. Unfortunately Beck's didn't have her license so we had to leave her bike in Bali. We were pretty annoyed but it ended up working out cheaper because we just had to pay per bike rather than per person.
We arrived to Lombok as the sun was setting. The sky was clear, the water calm, the colours hazy and serene. Pale oranges had been brushed across the sky and reflected off the water. It was a sunset unlike that in Bali. More dry and alluring; soft and subtle.
Lombok seems world's apart from Bali, and upon reading a paper by Alfred Russel Wallace, I found out why that was. Writing more than 150 years ago, Wallace found that the flora and fauna present on the islands East of Bali must have once formed part of Australasia, whilst the islands to the West, including Bali itself, where once part of the SEA mainland. Thus, although they are separated by a mere 22 miles of sea, the landscape is rugged, dry and underdeveloped. Driving off the boat, it was like we were in uncharted territory. Bar the port and newly-paved road, the landscape was an endless wave of hills shaded hues of green and brown with trees hardy and sparse. Dusk had fallen and although the air was still hot from the days heat, it was cooling as the coastal winds started to blow ashore.
Driving from the port, we started our journey to Kuta (nothing like the one in Bali!). The map provided by the lonely planet was basic but showed the main roads leading South. We intended to simply drive along a minor road and then on to the coastal road that connects it to Kuta. Unfortunately it wasn't that simple.
Roads in Lombok are mainly primitive and unavigable. The road we had hoped to take wasn't exactly what we would constitute as a road, but more like a gravel pit. Sending us on a detour, we were directed North instead of South. Before realising it, we were half way up the coast in the wrong direction. By this point it was pitch black. Stopping in a petrol station, we asked for directions and finally found out where we needed to go. I hate to say it but the newly built international airport proved to be quite useful as the road that links it to the rest of the island is freshly tarmacked and well signposted. With a little luck, and Beck's use of Bahasa Indonesian, we made it to Kuta an hour later.
We sat down for a well deserved drink and a bit of food, deciding to find accommodation afterward. As the town consisted of only two main roads and there seemed to be very few tourists, we thought finding a place to stay would be easy. Wishful thinking! We spent the next 2 hours trying to find accommodation, asking every place we could find. It was quite fun driving door to door but the novelty soon wore off. Taking pity on us, some locals tried to help but it wasn't until 12.30am that we could finally lay our heads. It turned out pretty well and the room was massive. Within no time, we were sleeping like babies.
After a well deserved lie-in, we headed to a beach along the coast. A small, windy road with beautiful views of forest and villages lead to our first stop: Tanjung A'an beach. We were the first to arrive and surprised as the coastline was stunning. A horseshoe cove of sandstone rocks and hills surrounded the white sandy beach and crystal clear water. There was nothing but us and the sea. We were all so happy that we quickly rushed into the cool water. Taking it all in, we were smiling from ear to ear. We had all be working hard the past few months and knew we truly deserved this weekend away. Before long we were drifting off to sleep, our bodies being battered by the intense heat.
I awoke to the sound of screaming kids. Some locals had arrived in a mini van and were all making there way to our once private beach. It was bizarre to see everyone dive in fully clothed, but you forget that you are in Indonesia; a country with one of the largest populations of muslims. We thought we were a bit overexposed in our bikini's but noone seemed to mind. Instead, the kids found it fascinating and quickly made their way towards us. A man informed me, Linds and Beck's that they were from a small village that had never before seen a white person. We felt famous as the kids congregated round all smiling and looking curious. It was a great moment.
When we started to get hungry, we drove back along the coast and up another poor excuse of a road to get to a restaurant recommended by the guide book. For once the LP provided some good information. We arrived at ''' to find stunning views of the coast below. The food was great, but the view by far exceeded it!
A dirt track led downhill and through paddy fields to reach the next beach. It took an inordinate amount of time as we had to continuously weave to avoid potholes, but it was really fun to drive along and all the stares and smiles made it even more worthwhile. As Lombok is yet to experience the influx of tourists that is seen in Bali, the locals are still intrigued and surprised by westerner's; let alone a group of girls on mopeds!
When we arrived at Mawun beach we were even more awe struck. White sand, clearer skies, bluer water. A picture postcard and, again, deserted. The same routine unfolded and within no time, we were surrounded by intrigued children. We spent most of the afternoon playing with them and taking photos of the beautiful scenery. To top it off, we drove past a street procession on the way back, with people dancing in the street and playing music. We coasted alongside and shared in the energy. It was one of the best days so far!
Heading for drinks and dinner in the evening, we realised that we may have caught a little too much sun - salmon comes to mind. Toddling along, in our most free-flowing clothes, we sat down to some cheap and tasty food and then called it a night. Sun stroke was the likely cause for an early night.
Before we knew it, we were back on the boat to Bali. It was a very short weekend getaway but one I won't forget any time soon.
The following week was my last. I had planned to make the most of it by visiting places I had yet to see, but unfortunately I got Salmonelsis Typhoid! Fever and vomiting was proceeded by a week in bed. It was not the week I had envisioned. Finally recovering enough to say my goodbyes, I had my final meal at Beck's, with Linds, Beck's sister and Dustin. It was really sad to say my goodbyes as I had formed a special bond with all of them. I learnt so much from all of them and they were always receptive and caring towards me. I love them all dearly and miss them so much. I know I will see them again, but not knowing when is a sad realisation. x
I spent most evenings at Beck's; laying out a spread of food that was amazing as always. I met one of Becks's friends, Anna, who had just spent a year volunteering on a permaculture project in Bangladesh. She too had studied Environmental Science, and found we had a lot in common. Unfortunately she headed to Lombok the following day, so our encounter was brief.
Anna's departure did inspire me and Beck's to make a trip to Lombok, however, deciding to do another road trip at the weekend. When Lindsey returned she headed straight to the Bike Rental and we got her a moped. I taught her how to ride and in a few days she had it under control. With her new found confidence, she hoped on the bike and headed with us to Lombok.
'Mr corupcy' was waiting at the dock and got us all to hand over driving licenses and registration. Unfortunately Beck's didn't have her license so we had to leave her bike in Bali. We were pretty annoyed but it ended up working out cheaper because we just had to pay per bike rather than per person.
We arrived to Lombok as the sun was setting. The sky was clear, the water calm, the colours hazy and serene. Pale oranges had been brushed across the sky and reflected off the water. It was a sunset unlike that in Bali. More dry and alluring; soft and subtle.
Lombok seems world's apart from Bali, and upon reading a paper by Alfred Russel Wallace, I found out why that was. Writing more than 150 years ago, Wallace found that the flora and fauna present on the islands East of Bali must have once formed part of Australasia, whilst the islands to the West, including Bali itself, where once part of the SEA mainland. Thus, although they are separated by a mere 22 miles of sea, the landscape is rugged, dry and underdeveloped. Driving off the boat, it was like we were in uncharted territory. Bar the port and newly-paved road, the landscape was an endless wave of hills shaded hues of green and brown with trees hardy and sparse. Dusk had fallen and although the air was still hot from the days heat, it was cooling as the coastal winds started to blow ashore.
Driving from the port, we started our journey to Kuta (nothing like the one in Bali!). The map provided by the lonely planet was basic but showed the main roads leading South. We intended to simply drive along a minor road and then on to the coastal road that connects it to Kuta. Unfortunately it wasn't that simple.
Roads in Lombok are mainly primitive and unavigable. The road we had hoped to take wasn't exactly what we would constitute as a road, but more like a gravel pit. Sending us on a detour, we were directed North instead of South. Before realising it, we were half way up the coast in the wrong direction. By this point it was pitch black. Stopping in a petrol station, we asked for directions and finally found out where we needed to go. I hate to say it but the newly built international airport proved to be quite useful as the road that links it to the rest of the island is freshly tarmacked and well signposted. With a little luck, and Beck's use of Bahasa Indonesian, we made it to Kuta an hour later.
We sat down for a well deserved drink and a bit of food, deciding to find accommodation afterward. As the town consisted of only two main roads and there seemed to be very few tourists, we thought finding a place to stay would be easy. Wishful thinking! We spent the next 2 hours trying to find accommodation, asking every place we could find. It was quite fun driving door to door but the novelty soon wore off. Taking pity on us, some locals tried to help but it wasn't until 12.30am that we could finally lay our heads. It turned out pretty well and the room was massive. Within no time, we were sleeping like babies.
After a well deserved lie-in, we headed to a beach along the coast. A small, windy road with beautiful views of forest and villages lead to our first stop: Tanjung A'an beach. We were the first to arrive and surprised as the coastline was stunning. A horseshoe cove of sandstone rocks and hills surrounded the white sandy beach and crystal clear water. There was nothing but us and the sea. We were all so happy that we quickly rushed into the cool water. Taking it all in, we were smiling from ear to ear. We had all be working hard the past few months and knew we truly deserved this weekend away. Before long we were drifting off to sleep, our bodies being battered by the intense heat.
I awoke to the sound of screaming kids. Some locals had arrived in a mini van and were all making there way to our once private beach. It was bizarre to see everyone dive in fully clothed, but you forget that you are in Indonesia; a country with one of the largest populations of muslims. We thought we were a bit overexposed in our bikini's but noone seemed to mind. Instead, the kids found it fascinating and quickly made their way towards us. A man informed me, Linds and Beck's that they were from a small village that had never before seen a white person. We felt famous as the kids congregated round all smiling and looking curious. It was a great moment.
When we started to get hungry, we drove back along the coast and up another poor excuse of a road to get to a restaurant recommended by the guide book. For once the LP provided some good information. We arrived at ''' to find stunning views of the coast below. The food was great, but the view by far exceeded it!
A dirt track led downhill and through paddy fields to reach the next beach. It took an inordinate amount of time as we had to continuously weave to avoid potholes, but it was really fun to drive along and all the stares and smiles made it even more worthwhile. As Lombok is yet to experience the influx of tourists that is seen in Bali, the locals are still intrigued and surprised by westerner's; let alone a group of girls on mopeds!
When we arrived at Mawun beach we were even more awe struck. White sand, clearer skies, bluer water. A picture postcard and, again, deserted. The same routine unfolded and within no time, we were surrounded by intrigued children. We spent most of the afternoon playing with them and taking photos of the beautiful scenery. To top it off, we drove past a street procession on the way back, with people dancing in the street and playing music. We coasted alongside and shared in the energy. It was one of the best days so far!
Heading for drinks and dinner in the evening, we realised that we may have caught a little too much sun - salmon comes to mind. Toddling along, in our most free-flowing clothes, we sat down to some cheap and tasty food and then called it a night. Sun stroke was the likely cause for an early night.
Before we knew it, we were back on the boat to Bali. It was a very short weekend getaway but one I won't forget any time soon.
The following week was my last. I had planned to make the most of it by visiting places I had yet to see, but unfortunately I got Salmonelsis Typhoid! Fever and vomiting was proceeded by a week in bed. It was not the week I had envisioned. Finally recovering enough to say my goodbyes, I had my final meal at Beck's, with Linds, Beck's sister and Dustin. It was really sad to say my goodbyes as I had formed a special bond with all of them. I learnt so much from all of them and they were always receptive and caring towards me. I love them all dearly and miss them so much. I know I will see them again, but not knowing when is a sad realisation. x
