Truly a bliss.
When I was in Yogya, my guide told me that from his own personal opinion, he loves Lombok more than Bali. I was impressed. I mean, I heard that a lot.. Even like 10 years ago. But I don't know why, I chose to go to Bali, and been there twice.
So this time I know I should go to Lombok. Moreover it would complete my ID travelogue. Sumatra - checked. West Java - checked. Central Java - checked. East Java - checked. Bali - checked! And Nusa Tenggara Barat... Coming soon!
So back from the Soerabaia, I asked Nana if she wanted to join. Before that I asked Riz. But, although he is a guy and I'm pretty sure his sexual orientation is, well if he is straight I don't think he will be a harm to me.. So I thought I could go with him, also I thought of goin alone but I just don't trust myself and thought of so bored to be lonely.
Finally I asked Nana and to get the story short, I kinda ask my mom to join. I didn't ask my sister cuz she is so judge mental and I hate to be with her on my birthday. Seriously can't stand to be with her anymore.
We went off to Lombok on 28th. Nana couldn't make it, her mother was and still in hospital. So she decided not to go. Better for her, I had been thinking about this before she broke the ice. Didn't want her to feel guilty.
So the trip became mother and daughter beach trip. How nice is it?
I have a Monica and her mother kinda relationship. But seriously I am close with her, no matter so many arguments.. She never stop complaining and criticizing about me and I always become so emotional with her. Haha nevertheless, I just can't be so far from her.
Our flight was 8:40 am. In KLIA2, dad drove us to KL sentral and we boarded the ERL. KLIA2 is so nice! Although it was pretty tiring to walk through the sky bridge.. It was like 30 mins walking plus stops for taking flights photos and check out the shops. Not much duty free yet...hope soon!
The plane took off on time, and the flight was smooth. As we were ready for landing, Ma saw the three gilis. Just like what she googles. I saw them too. It was splendid. I don't really believe what I saw on the net but it was true! There were 3 gilis and they were so close together. It was really pretty !
Ma was so regret she didn't got the chance to take picture of them. Hahahah knowing Ma.
Touched down around 1240 at the International Bandara of Lombok, in Praya. Around 40mins driving to the capital city, Mataram. At the Bandara, we were greeted by our driver. As arranged by our hotel in Gili Air. I chose to get a driver cuz it was convenient, also, there are so many other tour drivers at the entrance.. It's pretty overwhelming.
So Sam is our driver for the trip to Gili Air. He is a Gili Air local. Very small, as my dad would say, the original Malay size. But he is Sasak, not Malay. Seriously look so much the same. Sam, is short for Samberi. He drove us to Mataram for lunch and we stopped at this Mataram mall. The only mall in Mataram so far. It looks like the Pertama complex or the likes, but I saw a surf shop. So I told my mom, we would do our ole-ole shopping here. On the last day later.
Sam showed us the lunch place. It is called Begibung restaurant, with traditional Lombok Sasak delicacies. They tastes authentic to me. The restaurant decor was really nice. For lunch we had ayam goreng khas Lombok with rice and sambal mango. The chicken was in 1 portion meaning the whole bird. I said to my mom, how can we have the whole bird.. I forgot that they usually use the free range village chicken which is smaller than the half of KL chicken. Lol. Uh also we had plecing Kangkung. As recommended by Sam. We gotta try that. It was a blanched Kangkung with chili, coconut sambal and peanuts.
It was delicious!
As we were in the high area, I could see the ocean from afar. I already feel excited. Can't really wait to get into the island. Mataram to Bangsal took around 1 hour driving. Bangsal was a small jetty. Not very crowded with tourists and locals. We waited like 5 minutes to get into our boat. With Ma and me there were some locals. The boat ride took only 15 minutes to get into Gili Air harbor.
When we arrived at the harbor, the horse cart or cidomo waited for us to get into our hotel. Nearby the harbor there are so many hotel and beach cafe. I was so excited. This is not like I imagine ... I was imagining the lonely quiet little island.. This doesn't look so quiet. However, our hotel Sejuk Cottages, was like 15 mins away from the harbor. 15 mins by cidomo. There are no other transportation in the island except cidomo and bicycles.
So we arrived at our home for 3 nights, it was a chalet run by a French bule, Bernard. Which reminds me of that guy in Burlesque. Lol. The hotel staff greeted us and took our baggage. The welcome drinks are iced Lombok coffee. So nice!!!!
Loving the Lumbung! The rooftop area, I just can't wait to chill out upstairs when my mom called me to get down cuz I need to register our name in the guest book. Edu, the hotel staff came with the book and I saw we were the only occupants that came from Lombok. Most of the guests came from Bali.
Edu handed us the Bernard famous map. So we thought of goin to check out the beach cafe on the left side of Sejuk junction. Around 6 pm we walked out to get our dinner. The first cafe was Orong Village, then we saw a nice chalet called Kaluku. We walked further up and settled in Star Bar. I just love the colorful lanterns.
We ordered pizza and sate with nasi goreng. They were so delish!
And this is the view I had sleeping with the kelambu..
Love sleeping in the kelambu.. Good nite.