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SEKOTONG
AND SOUTHEAST
 A scenically spectacular highway follows the inside coast of
the foot like southwest
peninsula of Lombok. This road skirts beaches of the
whitest sand. Bays of turquoise water and small islands
characterize the offshore panoramas.
The road to the Bangko-Bangko area includes the world famous
Desert Point surf location considered by many to be the
best left breaking waves in Indonesia.
Go for hikes on the headland and explore the caves and
huge canons a legacy from the Japanese occupation
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TANJUNG LUAR
Tanjung
Luar Village is well known for its quality fresh fish,
and therefore supplies most of the fish consumed for
entire Lombok, consequently it is named the largest
fishing village on the island. Fishing enthusiasts are
recommended to fish here for the best catches.
Barracuda, big tuna, stingrays and sharks are favourite
sea dwellers to be found off the coast. Near-by Tanjung
Luar, has a large traditional salt-farm with piles of
crystals, where you can see the farmers simple kilns for
drying the salt.
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GANGGA FALLS
 Looking to take a half-day break from Senggigi, without going
too far or spending too much money and effort? Check out
the Gangga waterfalls in West
Lombok, about seven kilometers north of Tanjung.
The travel time is about 1.5 hours each way, there's no
parking or visitor fee, refreshments are nearby and you
can swim in natural pools beneath gorgeous waterfalls.
Yes, there's paradise in Lombok,
and it's practically around the corner!
Udin, the volunteer caretaker of the land, lives in a hut in
the rice field near the falls. He repairs bamboo bridges
washed away by the rainy season, and keeps the path as
clear and safe as possible. He is a really friendly,
talkative guy who would warmly welcome you. Once, he
claims, he even welcomed the Dalai Lama of Tibet to
these tranquil falls!
If you're hungry or thirsty while visiting, Udin and his
family sell water, sodas and a delicious local soup.
And, if you enjoy this natural oasis and want to
contribute to its preservation, Udin gladly accepts
donations (though not mandatory).
To get there: Drive north out of Senggigi on JLN Raya
Senggigi. After you drive (about 40 minutes) past
Bangsal, then (another 15-20 minutes) past Tanjung, the
road will get a bit rough. Take it slow in these parts,
especially the last few kilometers. When you see the big
sign, turn right and park. The falls are a 15-minute
walk away.
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SURANADI
 The mountain resort, Suranadi, offers great freshness and is
suitable as a recreational area. It has plenty of spring
water and has a cold watered pool. The surrounding
forest offers an opportunity to wander and enjoy the
quite atmosphere of tropical greenery. In the outside
yards of the hotel, exist the eels, which have been
sanctified and may not be caught. Suranadi lies some six
kilometres from Narmada. The Sesaot walking site can be found†two kilometres north of
Suranadi. The Golong Golf Course lies within ten minutes
drive to the south. Suranadi also produces various kinds
of fresh fruits - some fruit stalls are available just
near to the entrance of Suranadi Hotel.
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PENGSONG MOUNTAIN
Approximately 6 kilometres to the South of Mataram lies Mt.
Pengsong offering visitors scenic landscapes. Climbing
to the top takes around 10-15 minutes for the best views
of rice paddy fields, surrounding villages and the towns
of Ampenan, Mataram and Cakranegara. On a clear day, if
you look west across the Lombok Strait,
you can see Mt. Agung of Bali.
Photographers frequently choose this spot for the best Lombok
sunsets. This place is regarded as sacred for Hindus;
therefore, on the very top of this hill there is a holy
temple with a number of shrines. You will also note that
the monkeys that live in this area are said to be the
protector of this holy place.
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NARMADA
Narmada
was a summer palace for the Royal Family of King Anak
Agung Ngurah, built in 1727. It is a good place to spend
some time after the hectic life of town, having
beautiful gardens and an artificial lake made for ritual
purposes.
A sacred spring water called 'Tirta Amerta Padmawangi' or
more well-known as 'Water of Eternity', is believed to
have the effect of keeping one fresh and young, and can
be found at the centre of the Palace. A holy temple
found at the top of the area is dedicated to Shiva and
is called Pura Kalasa.
Narmada Park was originally built as a ritual Balinese
replica of the crater Lake Segara Anak on Mt. Rinjani,
with a temple (Pura Kalasa), a summer palace for King
Anak Agung Gede Karang Asem (former ruler of Mataram),
and various buildings for religious and recreational
uses (all with typical Balinese doors, ornamentally
painted and carved). It is believed to have been built
after 1838 (according to the Dutchman, Van der Kraans'
research, the Balinese kingdom reached its glory between
then and 1883).
Every year in the days of the Balinese rule in Lombok,
a ritual ceremony of Pekelem was held, the offerings
being gilded fish, shrimps, lobsters and crabs. The
purpose of the celebration was to ask God for prosperity
for the people and longtime power for the king himself.
When the king grew old and could no longer climb his
beloved mountain, the replica at Narmada was built and the annual event moved to Narmada,
although the ritual of offerings of gilt objects still
takes place every year at Rinjani's Lake Segara Anak
(attended by a priest, his assistants and a multitude of
pilgrims and followers).
Beside the Segara Anak replica in Narmada
lies its twin lake surrounded by conical-shaped
mangosteen trees that produce a delicious fruit. The
third lake is a real swimming pool. What better setting
could you have than this heavenly complex, with its
lakes, tiered gardens rising to Pura Kalasa, and the
palace?
Whether your stay on lovely Lombok
is long or short, go to Narmada Park – stroll, swim,
roam around taking photos, or just sit and contemplate.
There is a place for a light meal and across the main
street, there are stalls filled with delicious Lombok
fruits of the season.
And if you have enough time, climb the real Mt.
Rinjani and visit the original crater, Lake Segara Anak
in all its reflective beauty. This climb should be done
in the dry season, and you should be fit and
well-booted! And don't be discouraged by perceived
difficulty, or think you're too old to do it. Seventeen
years ago, at the age of seventy, I reached the summit
of Mt. Rinjani via Sembalun, accompanied by two young
guides – a high point
in my wonderful, kaleidoscopic life.
In
the words of Helen Keller, “Life is either a daring
adventure or nothing.” So, go on, climb Mt. Rinjani, and
return to Narmada Park. There, you can relax and mull
over the entwined history and culture of these two
Lombok treasures.
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