With many disputes between
religions and races in Indonesia
lately, it seems like the national
Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in
Diversity) slogan has been
ripped off.
My adventure in Lombok shows
that there is still hope to keep
the spirit alive.
Lombok is an island across the
strait from Bali, dwelled by
Sasak and Balinese.
Locals and foreigners rub along
very well in Gili Trawangan. It is
a gili (Sasak’s word of small
island) with most population
among the other two Lombok’s
north west gilis. Around an
hour driving north from
Lombok’s capital Mataram, you
will get to Bangsal, a small
harbour to jump off to Gili
Trawangan.
The island’s natives, especially
those who work in bars, resorts
and hostels, speak not only
quite good conversational
English, but also French, Italian,
Japanese, and Korean. This
welcoming attitude of
Trawangan people invites
foreign sponsors investing there
in alliance with locals. For
instance “Tir Na Nog”, an Irish
sports bar owned not only by
an Irish, but also a local
entrepreneur.
Scenery is not the only
drawcard of the island. It seems
like many foreign tourists,
mostly female, are beguiled by
the charm of the islanders. A
neighborhood called Kampung
Bule (foreigners’ village) is
where those captivated tourists,
mostly European and Japanese,
reside and raise a family. Here
you may find blond kids
speaking Sasak instead of
English.
Without a doubt, football is a
people sport. The first ever Gili
Trawangan Football
Championship in March 2011
drew together locals and
foreigners as players and
supporters. Ahead of time I
thought it would be improperly
held. Then I saw players
wearing jersey and football
shoes, a referee and two
linesmen in uniform, a game
commentator, so therefore I
knew I was wrong. They even
played 2 x 45 minutes like a
world cup game.
Gili Trawangan is a widely
recognized holiday destination
for its exquisite beach. White
sand, clear and three colours
water, enhanced with eclectic
underwater, make your snorkel,
surf or sunbath experience feel
so right. Motor vehicles are not
allowed on the island too, thus
you can enjoy the fresh air and
have a fun yet healthy holiday.
The name “Trawangan” is
derived from the word
terowongan (tunnel), since
there is a historical cave tunnel
in the island. The tunnel was set
up by Indonesian forced labor
to be used as a quarter for
Japanese army in the World
War II.
From the gloomy history of Gili
Trawangan, the island has
turned into a paradise now. It
holds at least three parties a
week on Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday night. If you visit the
island mid-month when the
moon is in its full round shape,
local youth throw a Full Moon
Party where all local DJs are
brought together, plus a fireball
man.
Partying is a new Trawangan
culture. In 1999, investors of
leisure business invited Italian DJ
Roberto. Ever since locals
learned from him, and now the
island has eight local DJs. You
don’t have to bring your urban
party look to party in Gili
Trawangan. Only some rules
applied: no fighting, no
gambling, no prostitutes and
enjoy your cheap drinks!
Harmonious life also belongs to
Moslems and Hindus in Lingsar
Temple, as they worship
together there. Even on a big
day like Pujawali (worship day of
walisanga / the nine ancient
Moslem’s disseminators) and
Tupat War (to ask prosperity
and fertility), both believers
celebrate together. To get to
this place, you need an hour
driving east from Mataram.
The Islamic belief breeding
there is called Wektu Telu
(three times) as they do the
prayer only three times instead
of normal Moslem’s five times
prayers a day. According to the
guide, this school is an
imperfect form of Islam, which
holds still Sasak’s animism.
Lingsar is derived from the word
Ling means sound and Sar
means water. The temple is
indeed never out of flowing
water sounds. A pool named
Pesiraman (shower pool) pours
the water from Mount Rinjani’s
spring, which is believed to have
a healing power. In order to
shower there, you must put on
white fabric and wear flowers.
Only steps away you can find a
mystical pool called kemalik
(shrine). The pool is guarded by
Indonesia’s Garuda bird statue.
A myth has it that a total of
nine mystical tunas live there.
People often throw a coin with
the Garuda image into the pool
to ask for a life partner. While if
you throw an egg, a pawang
(diviner) may invite a one meter
tuna out from nowhere.
These two pools are located in
a holy area, thus you need to
put a yellow loincloth on before
entering.
Welcoming at the temple’s
entrance are the twin pools.
These pools come up with
exactly the same size,
ornaments, and material.
Afore-time they were used by
twin princesses Kosala and
Kosali to bath.
TRAVEL TO LOMBOK
There are several ways to get to
Lombok from Bali: airplane,
speed boat, or the budget style
I did, public ferry. However, I
suggest you to go with a
package shuttle bus and ferry
since public transport is not
widely available in Lombok.
Crossing with a ferry takes you
around four hours.
It is easy to find accommodation
there. From Rp 60,000 (US$6)
per night hostel to a million
rupiah one is available. A simple
tip is to arrive early so that you
have options. If you are finding
it hard, the people there will
help you find a place to stay,
including letting you stay
overnight in their house, just
like my friend did.
SUMBER:
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My friend, I found a website to
make big money online.
There is address:
http://
www.bux2get.com/
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