So while we wait for Raymond's line training to begin, we have tried to fit in a sight-seeing trip here and there. Our latest one took us to LOMBOK, an hour and fifteen minute flight away from Jakarta by LION AIR.
Lombok is the new Bali, except with fewer Aussies and less hotels. Larry and Susan (from Texas) were our companions - Larry is as fanatical about snorkelling as Raymond is.
We landed and began a spectacular drive through rice paddies for an hour
before arriving at our boutique hotel Alang Alang, on the West coast of Lombok, with Bali and its Volcano almost a stone's throw away.
After a long snorkel and a heavenly swim in the pool we went for dinner in the town of Sengigi with Aussie neighbours
and got to bed early - long day ahead - a fisherman was taking us to the Gilli Islands on Monday morning.
The Gillis are three small coral islands between Bali and Lombok.The boat ride took 45 minutes and could easily have been St Lucia except that our boat had out riggers. It is also good to note that everything is decorated to the max and is therefore a pleasure to view. So, here's the coast line:
and a decorated boat:
We disembark on the first of the islands and find a piece of heaven. Not only is the beach super but the island is really carefully developed - no cars but you can rent bicycles or take a pony cart ride:
The hotels and restaurants are stunning
just park and eat
and snorkel
The next day a taxi took us on a tour of Lombok (and attempted to show the Trinis a serious waterfall). What was fabulous was the rice paddies that lined the side of the hills in terraces.
Day four was a final snorkel and a nostalgic wander through the gardens of Alang Alang before checking out and heading back to Jakarta
But we will return.......
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