Road to Soul Writing

Have you been here? Or have you heard about this waterfall? I bet not. When I went to this waterfall I found myself was the only one tourist. I was walking down the path with the villagers who live not far from the waterfall. They speak Sasak which belongs to ngeno-ngene dialect and t hey use more refined language compare to the other areas in Lombok. It took me more than 30 minutes walk to the waterfall because I liked to stop to taking some pictures. The panorama was so green because it was rainy season, I was glad that I picked up right time to come. Pancor Kopong Waterfall is not really high. It cascades among some little cliffs and is divided into some small waterfalls. These some small waterfalls join in the small pool which is fenced by big stones, while the others go down to the river. In the eastern part, there is a small cave which is only enough for two people. On the cave floor, water makes its own beautiful stream lines. Besides its beauty, Pancor Kopong is th...

Sembalun, East Lombok I climb a mountain not to show you off how strong I am but to see how beautiful the world is, to witness the beauty core of mother earth under the father sun, to taste its exclusive flavor after my hours struggle then realize that after hard working there’s always worth exchange. My trip to Pergasingan started in very early morning. What a challenge for a not morning person! I woke up and looked upon the dark in my tent. I could hear Lele were trying to wake up the others. I was reluctant to go because my tent mate was sick. Clare woke up to. “You should go, I’ll be fine”. I thought she was sleeping. She even offered me to wear her new Adidas shoes. I wrapped myself in the thick jacket and put my gloves on. Lele and the others were already waiting for me when I was out from my tent. They looked fresh although they didn’t get enough sleep. We rode motorbike to Lembah Rinjani Cottage to meet up with the other friends, ...

Pringgabaya, East Lombok.   The diversity of bio organism attracts me to dig more the great things that I could see around me. A friend of mine recommended me to see mangrove conservation that’s mostly visited by ornithologist and students from science department. Then on July, EduLand members and I rode motorbike under bright blue sky, headed to the east until I found the edge of my island. It took me three hours to reach the jetty from Mataram. I am a slow rider. As we got the jetty, Pak Jefri was already there, he curved warm smile to welcome us. We shoke his hand. “Are you ready for the adventure?” she asked eagerly. “I can’t wait any longer”. From the jetty I could see there were about six small islands lie ahead. Pak Jefri pointed his fore finger while explaining each name of the tiny. “Gili Kondo, Gili Bidara, Gili Pedagan or GIli Lampu, Gili Sulat and Gili Lawang”. We walked to the boat, and Pak Jefri introduced us to his boat boy.  He is about 12 years old. Af...

I am not well organized for any trip especially in Lombok. I was born here. Getting lost in my own island is not a challenge anymore. In fact, I am particularly had no map when I went to Mekaki.  I counted on remaining memory from an article that I had read before and the information I got from the people I met on my way. Before reaching Mekaki I was thrilled by the views along the way. The beaches, the floating gilies, the traditional markets that blocked the road, mangrove forest and smooth zigzag road that made me jolted all the time. As the sky getting cloudy, I’d tried to be at Mekaki before the rain fell. However it didn't  work like I expected. I had to stop in the little shop to get a shade. It was boring time, I could not resist to move. Then I rode my motor bike under the rain. It took me more than 2 hours to get there. 5 minutes away from the entrance, I had to be brave to pass the very steepest road. It was challenging. From this road I could see the w...

In the southern coast of Lombok, stretches a rocky beach named Telawas.  The curving of angry ocean in this beach creates amazing stoning hills and various stunning shape rocks. Some rocks look like statue of buffalo head, square faces in abstract painting, from a far they look like some shape of stone at the top of Prambanan Temple. This beach is very narrow because it is hiding right behind verdant hills. The only entrance is a very short line beach which less than 10 meters. If you want to challenge your self you can climb one of the verdant  hills. I did fully enjoy every side of this beach, by climbing and walking on the rocks along. As I walked I saw amazing aisle where the wave runs to touch the short line sandy beach. I had to carefully walk. Keep my balance to get some nice shots of two amazing rocky hills which stands in the middle of the sea and right in front of Telawas beach. Telawas has quite similar features with Semeti. Telawas Beach suits for hiki...

When you see Tanjung Kubur Island from across, you will imagine your self having adventurous day in the middle of green bush or perhaps you will go back straight away when you step your feet on this island.  In Lombok, Gili is indeed mostly known as beautiful tiny island where people can go sightseeing. However, this is not working at Gili Tanjung Kubur. Behind its beauty, it keeps many dead bodies. Tanjung Kubur is a grave yard where the ancestors of Teluk Waru village lie in. As its “ Tanjung” means jutted land and “kubur” means grave yard . There are no people who stay in this island. I was piled my courage up to go in. the beach width looked narrow because it's covered by bush. I had to walk carefully on to the grave. It was hiding behind the green bush. As I got some picture, I went back to the boat. I did realized that dead body cannot do anything but I was still afraid. Oh..my bad. Tanjung Kubur is located in Labuan Tereng, Sekotong Timur. It is only 45 m...

Have you been in Mangrove Forest before? If your answer is not yet, I have one of recommended Mangrove forests to see. This forest lies on the southern part of Lombok. It is located in Yat Mayang village, Labuan Tereng, Sekotong Timur. In this place, thousands of mangroves firmly stand on 240 hectares muddy land. As you step on the path and keep walking among the mangroves, you will find your self get lost in the greens. Birds twit and chirp. Some crabs and fish are hiding under the clawing roots. At the end you will stand before the ocean, look upon the blue sky. This Mangrove Forest is developed since 2011. Every year about 500 seeds of mangroves are planted. Rhizophora stylosa is the dominant mangrove type which is mostly planted in this area. This conservation is supported by government, private company and society. People who stay around this mangrove forest have high awareness about how important the mangrove is. Further, mangrove seedling becomes one of the mai...

On 5 th of January 2014, I was exploring a twin water fall at Santong—sub district of North Lombok. I felt a bit ashamed because as a Lombok born Indonesian, this is my first visit to this infamous waterfall. This also made me choose Tiu Teja as the next article for Travelling Column in my website—www.lombokpage.com. Well to get there, I preferred to take Mataram-Senggigi-Tanjung-Santong route. This route allowed to me to enjoy the sunset and showed me a lust blue ocean.  I started my trip at 8 am and got Santong around 9.45 a.m. From this gate you can ride your motorbike to the water fall entrance especially in the dry season. If you go Tiu Teja In the rain season, it would be better if you do trekking from the main gate. The road is quiet muddy in the rain season. Along the road you will be wrapped by the fresh air and spoiled by the view of tropical forest which is habitat of various flora—cloves, coffee, gaharu and etc—and of fauna—monkey, birds, lizards and etc....