Lombok

 

We approached Lembar harbour on Lombok about 10am. There were lots of little boats with an outrigger on both sides and small sails. The Captain had to sound the horn to clear a path. As we got into the harbour we could see some fish farms and ferries of all sizes. It's about 2 1/2 hours from Bali on a fast ferry.

Karen, Aaron and I had booked a small group tour for today. It turned out to just be 5 people (2 didn't show) The usual gauntlet of venders to get through as you exit the terminal, but we soon found our guide. We had a delayed start because of waiting for the 2 no-shows, but then got underway in a comfortable van with A/C and lots of water provided. Today seems even more hot and humid, but no rain luckily. 

Lombok is very lush and green as it's the rainy season, with rice paddies everywhere. Corn, coffee and cotton are also grown. The island is mainly rural, with many small villages. Its much less  developed than Bali, much quieter, and to my mind, much more charming! Our tour took us to 2 villages. About 1 1/2 hour drive to  the first, Sukarara, a weaving cooperative. The women weave, and the men farm. We saw looms for doing 2 types of weaving, one with cotton and the other with silk. The designs are very intricate - it takes about 2 weeks to set up a loom. We also saw the traditional spindles for spinning wool, and I had a chance to try my hand at it. They had a small store with some beautiful pieces but fairly large and most of the pieces were over $200.00 CAD

Then on to the next village, Sade. Here we walked through the village and saw how the homes are made of woven bamboo, with clay and dung floors. This village is a cooperative as well. There are chickens running around everywhere, many with beautiful markings. They also have cows and grow crops. A very simple way of life. The religion is a mixture of Moslem and Animism.

Then on to Kuta Beach for lunch. The restaurant is on the 2nd floor with a roof but no walls so the ocean breezes can blow through. Afterwards we walked out to the beach area. A nice sandy beach, and this resort area is a little more developed. But still very simple, and not too busy.

Then back to our van for the trip back to the port. The countryside is really pretty, and it was a very enjoyable day, about 5 hours altogether. We really felt wiped out that evening. An early dinner with more good Indonesian food (sort of a sampler plate) and then a walk around deck to enjoy the evening and the beautiful sunset. I've caught the cough that's going around the ship, luckily I don't feel sick otherwise, but it's an annoying nagging cough.