Midway into our cruise, we participated in an excursion that remains our favourite. It did not offer the iconic landmarks or symbols of this diverse society or definitively explain its history and culture as most of our other excursions did. What it did was allow us to really interact with the people of this island.
Leaving from the port of Lembar we made a total of six stops which included a traditional village, two temples, a sumptuous buffet lunch, a pearl factory and a museum. Our guide offered a map of the island with all of our stops highlighted. It was an excellent resource. Despite the heavy itinerary we never felt rushed and had plenty of time to explore each one.
In Banyumurek we stepped off the bus and onto horse drawn carts that took us through the narrow streets towards a traditional pottery making area located in the heart of the village. Here were saw how the clay is ground, formed, baked and decorated, mostly by hand using the traditional methods. There were vendors offering every imaginable item for sale, not just the pottery but puppets, shirts and other trinkets. There were also a lot of children, many lining the streets smiling and waving as we passed by on the carts and others surrounding us in the village. Some asked for money but a polite no sufficed. Most were there just to see the tourists. It was also an opportunity to practice their English and I was happy to engage.
After lunch (during which the midday rain occurred) we stopped at the pearl factory for those interested in purchasing some unique souvenirs. Following which we visited two temples, one in Lingsar and the other in Narmada. The first was a temple complex and the second a smaller temple with a water palace. Both were beautifully ornate and richly decorated. The first still had the remains of offerings from a celebration the day before. Our guide also explained that Lingsar is a complex that welcomes all faiths.
The final stop was a cultural museum located in Ampenan. We were welcomed with refreshments and music. The museum was small but well laid out and featured displayed of everything from local wildlife to puppets, weapons and traditional costumes.
On our ride back to the port our guide regaled us with karaoke. What he may have lacked in actual talent was more than overcome by his enthusiasm. Although most were karaoke staples (the whole bus joined in a rousing chorus of John Denver’s Take Me Home Country Roads) he also included some traditional children’s songs and lullabies. It was a very personal touch that is not often seen, or in this case, heard.
Our tour of Lombok may not have offered the most culturally rich sites or was it even the most beautiful of the islands. It was however enriched by our contact with the locals, making it the most fascinating stop on our tour of Indonesia.