There are these few places I’ve been that are so precious, I don’t really want to share them with the world. I’ll do it anyway, so you can make it in time before the masses do 😉
Sun on my skin, pack on my back and heading south towards the surf-mekka Kuta – Lombok. The ride between Senggigi and Kuta takes me around 2 hours and I intensely enjoy being back on a bike. Driving here is tricky as anything can jump onto the middle of the road out of the bush, think chicken, dogs, cows and children. Then add some potholes, bugs in your face, random dirt roads and non-marked construction work such as ladders on the middle of the road to adjust some cables in the trees and you have your Indonesian driving adventure.
Kuta is the main coastal town on the south coast of Lombok. Located around 60Km of capital Mataram and only half an hour from the new international airport, this town is sparking an investment boom.
But for now, the south is quiet, pristine and spectacular. The beaches are some of the best in Indonesia, with blindingly white sand, and transparent blue-turquoise water. Kuta has some of the best surfing in the world, so it’s a real surfers paradise.
I check out the beach which has some gorgeous green pinnacles in the distance and the locals are gathering small critters on the low tide.
The next morning I’m up very early, so I head out for a beach called Selong Belanak 45 minutes away, famous for its easy waves. On the ride I see many badly wounded dogs which make my stomach turn upside down but luckily not the bike. I make it to the beach and see the waves breaking weakly onto the bright white sand. I expected easy, but these are baby waves.. Nonetheless I get a board and catch some waves, afterwards I chill on the beach, eating mie goreng, drinking fresh coconut, what else? In the evening a friend arrives; Gio, who I got to know on the plane to Jakarta.
Gio and I go out for drinks and end up in a beach bar full of young locals and a few travellers who eagerly buy the mushrooms sold at the bar. The day after we pass the beach we want to go to and end up in Gerupuk, a town known for its prime waves for surfers all levels. Arrangements go fast and soon enough we are on a fishing boat with our boards headed for the small flock of surfers in the distance. The spot is gorgeous, cliffs on the left and perfect waves rolling by every few seconds. I become good friends with my fibre glass board and get to ride some beauties. Wonderfull surf day. We’re rewarded by finding Tanjung’Aan beach, an empty white bay with one bamboo shack and clear blue water. We stay until the sunset and cruise back to our homestay.
I stay 10 days in Kuta, repeating ride-surf-relax-yoga in random order on different magnificent spots and enjoy the surfer lifestyle very much. The hostel I stay is lovely, I have my own room with private bathroom and there’s an open communal area with breakfast and unlimited pancakes (yes, really) and I meet many nice and interesting people from all ages and corners of the world. Most of them spend months here, just chasing the best surf breaks and enjoying life.
Although it’s a damn good life and I postpone my checkout several times, I eventually need to leave to make arrangements for my last stop in Indonesia… Which I do.
I got a ticket for a 4 day boat trip to the Komodo Islands, disembarking in Flores, let’s spot some big ass iguanas and do world class diving! I’m too excited!
Lombok, your perfect waves, tasty food, wonderful people, splendid waterfalls and boiling hot springs have left me very spoiled! I hope to return someday for another pristine experience!
Planet Bubbles 