We arrived at Lombok at 8pm and reaching Mataram at 12pm as we were hitting by heavy rain. We stayed at Altha and Eva’s home at Gunung Sari. Before we sleep, we sharing the experience while in Sumbawa and asking for recommended spot to visit in Lombok. Forget about gili, kuta and senggigi. This time we preferred to enjoy the North and East Lombok. After plenty of suggestions and recommendations, we showered and slept. At the morning, we prepare things that will be needed and left some. We ride through Sengigi, Malimbu and stop for lunch at Nipa Area. The grilled fish was super delicious. We recommended you to try the grilled fish once you at Nipa. Young coconut water became the perfect dessert before continued to next destination. FYI, the price for grilled fish, rice, young coconut water and the botol is IDR 55.000!!!! You have no reason to enjoy it!
The next destination is Pantai Tebing (Cliff Beach). It took 1 – 1.5 hours from Nipa to get to Pantai Tebing. The cliff is consisted of soft sand and could easily fall anytime but the cliff is the point of attention/attraction here. I found a beautiful traditional beach hut here; I wish I could spend a night at the beautiful hut. There was no retribution entering the beach, the local officer only asked for parking fee which is IDR 5000/ bike. Arifin was happy because he met new friends from Vespa Community. There were 4 guys, they were kind and share us some tips on travelling Lombok. They even invited us to their place to celebrate New Year JJ after had a fun conversation with them, we continued to Segenter Village. It’s an old village located 30 minutes from Senaru where the Sasak Tribe lives. Some of the houses still original and some of them has been modified with modern style. If you want to know more about Sasak Tribe and their culture, you can directly ask the local at Segenter.
From Segenter we continued to Senaru. It’s one of the starting points to climb the famous Mt Rinjani. I’ve been at Senaru 3.5 years ago. And it is now change a bit. Homestays are increasing and restaurant as well. We have plenty of options for place to stay. Arifin went to a coffee shop and talking with the locals about Rinjani and the management. It’s dark and we need to find place to sleep, based on Eva’s recommendation we stayed at Rinjani Light House, its IDR 350.000 per night including breakfast. I love the architecture of the house. It has bamboo wall, wooden floor and spear grass roof. Rinjani light house only have 4 standard rooms and 1 family hut consisted of 6 beds. We picked room at the 2nd floor and I constantly fell in love with the room. It has warm water to beat the cold weather.
Early in the morning we woke up and went to Sendang Gile waterfall. Only 10 minutes walking from Rinjani light house. The weather was perfect, the cloudless sky and the clear view of Mt Rinjani enhanced the beauty of the lovely morning.
There are two waterfalls, Sendang Gile and Tiu Kelep; Sendang Gile is about 10 minutes walking from entrance and Tiu Kelep is about 30 minutes from Sendang Gile Waterfall and these waterfalls are part of Rinjani National Park. There were no officers or guide who sell the ticket and lead us to the waterfalls; maybe because it’s too early. So, we decided to lead ourselves, following the path to the waterfall. We found it’s easy to reached Sendang Gile Waterfall. Sendang gile is approximately 30m height and has two stacks. Down the waterfall, there are clear water river with big stones spreading along the river.
We took a rest at rest hut and enjoying the beautiful of the waterfalls and the forest surrounding. Arifin decided to go back and didn’t go to Tiu Kelep. I’m so ecited to be at Tiu Kelep, I encourage myself to explored alone. As I followed the path way, I felt something strange and soon I realized I just followed the other way to get back to the entrance -__- I missed Tiu Kelep, such a shame on me, moreover Arifin laughed at me all the time. As we found out and asked a guy at the entrance, they said we have to use guide to get there, because there’s a point where we have to cross a river. I felt lucky by that time!
After waterfalls, we went to Rinjani lodge. We enjoy our second breakfast and swimming on their famous pool with Mt Rinjani as the background. It’s a perfect place to enjoy a sunny morning. Visit http://www.rinjanilodge.net/ for more information.
After enjoying a peaceful morning, we check out from Rinjani light house and heading to Bayan Village to see the old mosque- Bayan Beleq which built in 1600. The mosque is made from bamboo and has short wall and high roof. People of Bayan village only use it when celebrate big events. Bayan Beleq mosque has been stated as a historical site by the Indonesian government as it’s a first Mosque in Lombok.
As we were at Bayan village, the best souvenir that we could buy is Brem (traditional fermented drink). With only IDR 40.000, - we got 1.5 liter of Brem. It’s a good price for a new experience.