thericechronicles: Impressions of Lombok (Part 1)

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Impressions of Lombok (Part 1)

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

This Christmas I decided to head to Lombok, which is a tropical island in Indonesia. The country of Indonesia itself is a wild collection of islands of various sizes. Lombok is located just east of the much more famous island of Bali, which has become very commercialized over the last 30 years, yet is a very popular vacation destination amongst travellers the world over. However, I would say Lombok, serene, peaceful, with great vegetation, beaches, and snorkeling will eventually become like Bali. Here are a few impressions (part 1):

Money: 10 000 Indonesian Rupiah = 1 Canadian dollar

Sooooooo 100 Canadian dollars = 1 million Rupiah. On Lombok I am a Rupiah multi millionaire. Crazy when you buy a coke in Lombok it costs you 10 000.

A million Rupiah!

Lombok is a very lush, very green island. Most people live in poverty and eke out a living as a farmer or by selling stuff to tourists or both.

A worn out street though a worn out town.

A rooster with his flock. Chickens are everywhere.

Jungle is thick.

Standing in a banana grove.

The place I am staying at is set in a lush garden.

A native peacock dance. This took place on Christmas day at my resort. Amazing.

Frog gargoyles overlooking the ocean.

Scenes from everyday Lombok:

Motor bikes are a major source of transportation on Lombok.

The flag of Indonesia.

Coconut husks.

A replica of a native home.

A Lombok convenience store.

Garden scenes from my hotel.

Typical Lombok boats parked on the beach.

Lombokians, Lombokites, not sure what they are called are truly one of the friendliest, laid back people I have ever met. Very peaceful and kind. Here are a few I met: