Travel: Lombok Waterfalls & Beaches

Come check out the waterfalls and beaches of Lombok with flatpack Donna!
We couldn’t bring Donna out of the country to holiday with us, so flatpack Donna came along. :P The venues we explored include: the Senaru Waterfalls, Selong Belanak Bay, Mawun Beach, Kuta Beach and more! :)

Geography

Lombok Island is mountainous, with flat valleys used for agriculture – rice, groundnuts, corn, tobacco, teak, mahogany, etc.

We visited during the dry season (May – Sep), so the landscape appeared dry and arid. With some agricultural fields remaining green because of better irrigation compared to others.

For the tourist, the dry season is the best time to visit, since everyday is a good day for exploring. :) Check out the picturesque waterfalls and beaches in the video below or the photos following it to get an idea of how gorgeous it is there. :)

 

Explore: Senaru waterfalls

Mount Rinjani is the second highest volcano in Indonesia. Trekking up the mountain is probably not advisable for the untrained leisure tourist, but there’s nothing to stop you from visiting the two waterfalls at the foot of the mountain.

 

Air Terjung Sendang Gila – Slight Crazy Waterfall

Water cascades from some 50metres above.

So you can go for a cold shower massage under the waterfall, while walking among the rainbows created by the spray.

 

Onward to the second waterfall

During the trek between the two waterfalls, flatpack Donna #1 was lost at the dam, so here’s flatpack Donna #2 as backup. :P

 

Air Terjung Tiu Kelep

It’s not as tall as Sendang Gila, but Tiu Kelep was the more exciting waterfall because the road there is rocky. You have to wade through the water in parts sometimes using both hands and feet. And most of the time I was holding my guide’s strong, supporting hand. So photo-taking is impossible for me. :P But we made it!

This waterfall is also more exciting because there is a plunge pool where you can swim in. We could see some of the fit, young tourists climbing the rock walls and diving in!

Even if you don’t swim, it is just relaxing to sit and enjoy the cool environment and the invigorating atmosphere of just being in nature.

 

More adventure awaits on the way back

It was a stair-climbing and easy walking exercise to get to Sendang Gila (waterfall #1) but on the way back, it seems the guide will usually suggest a short cut through the irrigation channels that drain the mounter from the falls down to the village for their use.

Sometimes, the tourists are mystified why the guides insist they have to crawl through a seemingly dark tunnel flowing with water. So there is resistance and people crowding around the entrance while they argue. :P

We didn’t count how long the walk in the channel took, but walking in the dark and cold water wasn’t that bad. There were about 2 or 3 of such windows that occur at intervals for ventilation and light before you plunge into the darkness again. :P

It’s debatable whether wearing footwear makes it better or worse. The guide was holding onto my shoes, and I had lost his slippers to the river in the climb from Tiu Kelep (waterall #2), so both of us were essentially walking barefoot in the channel. Since the floor was uneven, with some areas sunk in, you end up stepping on exposed bars rather than a flat surface… so it’s not the most comfortable experience. But Mr P thinks I would have lost the slippers in the channel if I had them anyway because the drag of the water on the slippers would have been too strong. So…

Eventually, we made it out of the tunnel alright! :)

And then it was a panting-inducing climb up a long flight of stairs to the entrance. :P

 

Beach Hopping

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at a random beach by the roadside to watch the sunset.

Our driver was an outdoorsy trekking and surfing sort of lad when he was younger. So he took us beach hopping on a different day.

 

Selong Belanak Bay

This is a private beach situated below the Sempiak Villas. The big waves here see many eager surf-school students under the sunny, blue sky.

Meanwhile, the strays are busy scavenging from the humans.

 

Mawun Beach

The big tree here provides enough shade for everyone who needs it. Most are just enjoying the view of the calm, clear water here.

I was amused by the man in the blue shirt who was trying to take a selfie with the dog, who was busy pilfering from him, before walking away. :P

 

Kuta Beach

Kuta village is the springboard from which tourists go from to visit the various scenic beaches and surf locations of around Kuta, including Mawun Beach and Selong Belanak Bay. Kuta beach itself appeared more popular with the locals when we got there. The sand here was coarse, with bits of coral I think. So it got into my sandal and hurt to walk around. So its not such a great place to lounge around or to swim, I think this stray here agrees with me. :P

 

Laze Around

We stayed at the Sheraton Senggigi. The decor of the room is really dated, but overall the room is clean and serviceable.

The beach here is not as beautiful or fun as some of the other beaches we visited,  but the poolside makes up for it.

 

Leave a comment

1. Where’s your favourite place to take a take break of the  daily stresses of life to just relax and recharge?
2. What’s your idea of a fun holiday? Do you find it hard to leave your dog behaind?
3. If you have taken your dog along to holiday with you, tell me about it!

---

Come :) Follow weliveinaflat.com on
Instagram @weliveinaflat |  Facebook donna.weliveinaflat |  Youtube Mutt Vlog by weliveinaflat