Day 12—29-Dec—Lombok

Lombok today.  Bali 20 years ago?  Who's driving?

We heard many times that Lombok today is what Bali was 20 years ago.  We haven’t been to Bali yet, but so far, I think we’re glad we didn’t go 20 years ago!

Some of the 85 million mopeds in Indonesia!

We disembarked by tender (shuttle boat) as they do not have a suitable port (or someone didn’t want to pay for it).  At 7:30, we met for our tour and boarded a tender to head to shore.  From there, we got on a bus, and began the journey.  Lombok is an island with about 4-5 million people, and it right next to the island of Bali.  Indonesia has about 155 million people, or half the size of the United States…population-wise.  Incidentally, Indonesia also has about 85 million registrations for mopeds, which explains the hoards we see everywhere!!

Entrance to Hindu Temple.  The panel in the center is meant
to deflect evil spirits so they can not follow you into the
sacred space beyond.

Our first stop was Lingsar, a temple complex that incorporated a Hindu temple and a Mosque area.  It seems that about 90% of the people on Lombok are Muslim, but some hold on to their past as well.  So, they go to a Hindu temple and still stop off to worship Allah.  There was a spot where they (the Hindus) attempt to feed an eel.  If he shows himself, it is a good omen.  So, this man crouched over with boiled eggs breaking up the yoke in the water trying to get the eel to poke out.  We didn’t see him—the eels.

Visitors to the temple from far away can sleep under the shelter
overnight for free...but a donation is welcome.

Looking for an eel...for good luck!!

Parking for a one horse "open sleigh".

We left there for the Pearl Market.  Lots of pearls.  Lots of ladies running around wanting to show us pearls.  And a bathroom—with a long line.  More people looking to use the bathroom than buy anything with pearls.  Hmm.

We left the pearl market for some “art center” which is a nice way to describe a flea market with handmade and machine made trinkets and baubles suggesting “Lombok” on the tag.  They did have a couple of guys “stick fighting” when we came in.  They had sticks, and they had a wooden “shield”, and they tried to strike each other.  But it wasn’t really believable.  It was sort of like a choreographed sword fight.  Anyway, we left to head to a cultural museum.  Just outside, they had “refreshments” that consisted of coffee, tea, orange juice, and an assortment of “treats”.  One was wrapped up very well in some sort of leaf, and was meat stuffed in a sticky rice.  It was actually tasty.  The other two were not worth mentioning.

Leche fruit.  It is a delicate white fruit in a very unwelcoming package!

Seeing the condition of this building, it is not surprising that
earthquakes level so many buildings in third world countries!

A "theatre" form in Indonesia uses metal "puppets" behind a screen with back lighting.
The shadow represents the "soul" of the character, and the screen is "heaven". 

A "city bus".  They (purportedly) prefer to be out in the "fresh air".

Our ship as we returned on the tender.

I have no idea what is happening here.

When we got back on the boat, we changed quickly and made it to lunch just in time for the “barbeque”.  I guess cooking on a grill counts as a BBQ.  Anyway, they had bratwurst, hamburgers, etc.  Back in the room, our steward (for some reason we don’t quite know) brought us a bottle of white wine on ice.  (I heard another person said they got one too.)  Anyway, we had a couple of glasses while relaxing before dinner.

Speaking of dinner…the had an Italian Buffet!  They had an assortment of really good looking things!  Gnocchi, Ravioli, Lasagna, etc.  Of course, it was paired with Peroni for Bill, and capped off with Limoncello for Theresa (no Lemon Jello, however!).  After dinner, the show was a violinist, with a comedic streak.  She was entertaining, but I think Theresa enjoyed it more than I did.