Trudging Up a Volcanic Mountain (Mt Rinjani - Day 1)

7th June 2010

Bimpity bumpity bob.. bob...bbbooobb..

At 5am, we see ourselves on a bumpy ride in a van to Sembalun Village - the starting point of our hike. 3 hours later, we were greeted with a view. Not just any view, but a view that further heightened our determination to conquer this mountain.

Stunning View

 All set, we embarked on our journey.

"Here. Put on sunblock." He tells me to, as he slapped a generous amount on himself.
"Aiya.. I don't really like to have that icky stuff on myself. We ain't going to shower for the next few days and this is sticky!" I grumbled as I put some on.

Just to be on the safe side, I put some on. I'd rather be sticky than to suffer from sunburnt! The first half of the day was a pleasant, gradual hike through vast open grassland. Often warned that this was the part 'hated' most by hikers because of the intense heat due to the open land, we were fortunate to have fluffy clouds sheltering us from the sun. So much for putting on sunblock!

From the start of the journey..

Plantation at the foothill

Mooo... stop staring at my ass..

Gorgeous Whites

Clouds rolling in

*Dark* clouds rolling in

Between the start at Sembalun Village to Pos 2 Tengengean (1500m), we made a short stop at Pos 1 Pemantauan (1300m)  where we fueled ourselves with a couple of biscuits and water. Upon reaching Pos 2 Tengengean, we were served with lunch!

Curry flavoured instant noodle with assortment of vegetables + hardboiled egg

Tadaaa... yup! Happy with my meal!

The little stools that served us at every meal over the next 3 days

We had 6 porters with us who carried all our luggages including tents, sleeping bags, air mattresses, water & food supply. For the team's load, each porter had to shoulder the burden of an average 40kg!

You sure it's that heavy? :)

I had a try at it

After a rest, we were on our way passed Pos 3 Balong (1800m) up to our final destination for the day at Sembalun Crater Rim (2639m).

Each step becomes more labourous

Lava once flowed

Beads of sweat

Never too tired to pose for the camera

During the last hour, the heavy clouds could hold no longer. Sparing us no mercy, we were generously showered by the downpour. It wasn't a huge downpour; but a lasting one. Out came the windbreakers and trenchcoats earlier than intended. Mood dampened? No way ho zay! ;)

Rain & Cold

Wet, tired and cold. Brrr...
"Adi! How long more to go?"
"Dekat aje. Normally, about 45 minutes more."

45 minutes!!?

"Adi.. we break for awhile?"
"Bisa... here. Have a bit of biskit before we have dinner up at the rim."

While he opened his packet of biscuits, I opened the supply of power-snack I have left - 2 muesli bars, 1 mini packet of raisins. Hmm... it wasn't much to share around all 6 of us. Jian Wen & Cindy hadn't packed enough power-snacks with them. I handed over a bar to Cindy. She clearly needed it as she was visibly trembling.

One more left...

"Here dear. You can have it. There are more supply in my luggage bag with the porters. Can get more later." I shoved it towards him.

Lickin' good muesli bar!

With renewed energy, we trudged onwards. The last stretch was steeeeepp - a lot steeper than the gradual climb we had earlier in the day. Moving on a single file, I concentrated on placing one foot ahead of the other. My thigh muscles screamed in agony with each step taken. Oblivious to my surroundings, I could feel that pace was slowing down. Suddenly, I felt an assuring hand took mine.

"Are you okay?"

I glanced behind and smiled feebly back at him. Yeah, I was okay. I have nothing to worry about. You'll be always behind me to pick me up if I were to fall right? ;)

After what felt like eternity (it was just about an hour), we arrived at what I thought was the rim.

I made it! (or so I thought)

Boy, was I wrong! There was more to go! But we were assured by Adi that it was going to be a smooth sailing one. We have arrived at the rim. We just needed to push forward a bit more to reach the camp site. Gritted my teeth, forced a smile, and the spirit was up once again!

More to go?

We made it to the campsite in just 15 minutes. True to his word, the route was a lot more flat. It was more of a walk than a hike. Our footsteps hastened as the chill air was starting to bite into us. The sun was fast setting.

A lonely dog making its way home

Undeniably Breathtaking

The view was simply gorgeous! I stood rooted in awe at the view around me and found myself trembling. Was it the cold? Or was it excitement? Perhaps a little of both. I spun around and bounced towards him.

*BIG HUGS....*

I am lucky to have you beside me to share this indescribable wondrous moment  :-*

We made it through the first day!

Lombok in a Day

5th June 2010

As I put on my new Salomon shoes mum gave me as my birthday present this year, I could feel both fear and excitement amounting. The highlight will be the 3 days 2 nights hike up to a volcanic mountain in Lombok - Mt Rinjani. We have done some training for this since the beginning of the year. Maybe not as much as we have hoped for. Hence the 'fear'. Words have said that it was a toughie.. we'll see.

He loaded our bags and gears into the cab that was waiting to take us to LCCT.
"All ready to go?"
I smiled and nodded enthusiastically.

We met Jian Wen and Cindy at the airport and sat down for good ol' McD's breakfast - sausage + egg McMuffin with a cup of McD's coffee! (Btw, Mcd's coffee is actually pretty good!!).

3 hours later, we arrived at Denpasar airport, Bali. Whee!!
Lunch time :) Local Balinese food... in spirit of holiday, we indulge!

Bakso Ayam

Ayam Penyet

Apokat

His face broke into a childlike smile upon his first sip of Apokat. Yes, we missed this freshly blended avocado juice with chocolate sauce dearly. Many more to come in this trip!

We boarded on a little fokker next and sat on a 30 minute flight to Lombok.

Up Up Up we go on a little fokker!

30minute flight comes with doggy bag

Merely a 30minute flight, we were pleasantly pampered with a mini bun and water. Pretty good service!
It was one of the most scenic flight I have ever been. Flew over mountain ranges and the vast sea all in visible mode. Picturesque!

Mt Agung from afar

Upon arrival at Lombok, we were greeted by a friendly guide and driver who took us to our stay at Eco Lodge. Lovely place. Lovely staff. Can't ask for a better service and a more eco-friendly place. So eco-friendly that our electricty gets shuts off at certain times :o

Treehouse

Abandoned sampan

It's really unique how the rooms are. Simply rustic and interestingly designed. Split level of having the bed & living area upstairs and the semi-outdoor shower downstairs. We somehow took a liking to the semi-outdoor concept.

Double Storey Units

Outdoor shower

Stairway (Upper level - Bedroom, Lower Level - Bathroom)

Split level

"What would you like to have for dinner?", Andi- our tour operator asked.
"Lombok food, Pak. Together with all the saus. Bisa makan cebeh!"
A few quick instructions to the kitchen, and we were treated to an extensive range of local Lombok cuisine.

Pepes Ikan Laut - steamed fish seafood wrapped with banana leaf

Pelecing Ayam - Fried Chicken with Local Sauce

Pelecing Kangkung - water spinach with local Lomboknese spicy sauce

Fried Tempe - Fried fermented beans

Kerabu - local vegetable salad

Us, and the owner of Eco Lodge himself!

Mmmmm.... I have fallen in love with Lomboknese food as much as I did with Balinese food. :p

As much as I enjoyed this place, I didn't get very good sleep that night. Away from my plushy latex mattress and comfy pillows, the hard mattress and relatively warm environment didn't give me the opportunity to sink into a deep slumber.

I glanced at my side, and sighed.. He was fast snoring...

6th June 2010

Prayers from the distant pierced through the still, quiet wee mornings. Unlike Bali which is mostly occupied by Hindus, Lombok's majorirty are the Muslims.

Might as well wake up for sunrise!

Dewdrops

Dear, why are you shitting and taking photo at the same time? :)

Romantic moments

When the sun had well risen, we embark on a few minutes stroll back to our Lodge..

To gobble down breakfast! Famished!

Chomp Chomp!

Slurp Slurp!

Armed with our gears, the mandatory camera, phone, wallet, sunscreen lotion, cap, sunglasses, we were all set to explore Lombok in our lil private van. Bring it on! See what you have in store for us, Lombok!

First stop was at a pottery factory - handmade locally.

Here's how you do it

Oohh.. *lucky* him was handpicked to be her student!

"Mau buat apa? Semua pun bisa. Pig, cat, dragon, dog, turtle.. turtle cantik jugak!"

Oooohh... turtle would be cute! I silently hoped that he would choose to make that. I've always have a soft spot for these creatures. Turtle.. turtle.. turtle...

"Errr.. okaylah. Make turtle."

Yay! :)

I was quite amused and curious to find out how the turtle would turn out to be. He doesn't strike me to be one with a flair for arts/crafts/creativity. He's too much of a person with a structured, engineered, kind of mind. Some may even call it... "box-ish" :p

With a bit of help, and 10 minutes later...

Turtle is born

Voila! It wasn't just a turtle... it was a very well-formed turtle personalised with our names on it!
(Dear, it meant a lot that you have me in mind when this was made.)

2nd stop - Textile home factory - handmade locally.

Senior Women at work

The men - makan sirih + hirup tembakau

It is a culture that once a female has attained puberty, it is compulsory that she learns how to weave. A lady lacking this skill will have immense difficulty getting married. This criteria is placed even higher importance than being able to cook, wash clothes etc. I would certainly live a spinster all my life!

3rd stop - Sasak Village

This was a real settlement with the Sasak villagers living their lives. However, the frontier was specially opened to tourists. We sure felt like sneaky intruders into their little community life!

Sneaky Intruders

See the 'tabung'? You are not obliged, but most encouraged to fill it up :)

 

Nenek weaving in her very little hut

Entrance to the hut is designed low. Bow to show respect upon entering.

In a very very simple kitchen - back to the basics!

House for dwarves?

We passed a few families with kids running all over the place. And they were far from shy. A couple of boys were actually dancing away for us to photograph them! Such attention seekers at such young age..

Photographing in action

 

Little Attention Seekers

Final stop - Tanjung An
Now 'this' was a really pretty place. It was nothing more than a picturesque bay with constant cool breeze around it. I never believed myself to be able to camwhore, but this place proved me otherwise.

Cheezz...

Look at the flying hair!

His infamous squating pose

One beautiful afternoon

The rest of the late afternoon was non-existent as I slept all the way back to Eco Lodge.

Dinner that night was another awesome spread, specially cooked upon our request.
"Asalkan masakan Lombok, apa-apa pun bisa."
We weren't disappointed!

Sate Daging

Ayam Goreng

Fried sweetened tempe with dried chilli

A lovely concoction of fresh local veggies harvested from their very own plot cooked in mild curry

Truly satisfying meal as they were very splendidly cooked. Loving Lomboknese food even more by the minute!

Lights out at 10pm! Looking forward to an early start the next day!
(Ironically, we were never this willing to an early start given any other working day).