Gili-Senggigi-Bali 15-19 Jul 2009

After the Rinjani Trek (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/07/rinjani-sembalun-trail-14-15-july-09.html), we endured a 3 hours journey to Bangsal where a private chartered speedboat was ready to take us to Gili Trawangan. We stayed 2 nights at Dream Diver to recuperate and to enjoy the crystal clear sea. The sunrise was fantastic and should not be missed. Thereafter, we spent a night each: in Senggigi, a coastal town in Lombok, and in Denpasar, a shopping paradise in Bali to hunt for souvenirs as well as bargains.

Check-in at Lombok Selaparang Airport was a breeze. Not the same at be said at Denpasar Ngurah Rai Airport owing to the tight security measures imposed following the bombing of 2 hotels in Jakarta a few days before.

Like in Denpasar Ngurah Rai Airport, on arrival at LCCT, we had to scramble for available space to complete and sign the H1N1 flu declaration form and to pass the fever detector screen. It was chaotic. It would have eased the human traffic congestion at LCCT had the forms been distributed for completion during the plane journey. As usual, the return AirAsia flight was delayed but we were all happy to touch Malaysian soil safely at 7 p.m.

My travelogue will not be complete if I make no mention of our outfitter:-

I find it pleasing to deal with Mr Sunny of PT. Lombok Trekking Travel Service. He possesses excellent PR and is professional, flexible, reliable and honest. Everything, from airport and harbour transfers to lodging and air flights as well as the Rinjani trek went like clockwork. He does live up to his motto that customers are kings by fulfilling almost all our requirements with EXTRAS. In short, I will certainly recommend him to anyone wishing to go to Lombok for a holiday or trek. Our trekking group was also blessed with the attentive services of the cheerful English speaking Guide Abdu and songster cum storyteller Guide Tuti.


For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/6587.

Rinjani Sembalun Trail 14-15 Jul 2009

We arrived at Sembalun Trek Centre at 1.15 p.m. after 2 hours drive from Senaru Trek Centre (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/07/rinjani-senaru-crater-rim-11-14-july-09_21.html). Two persons opted to relax at the Sembalun Lawang Homestay (Losmen) nearby while the rest (7 persons) continued the group mission to trek up to the Sembalun Crater Rim (Plawangan II). Much to our displeasure, we were required to fork out another round of entrance fee of IDR200,000 pax despite our argument that we were unable to trek from Senaru Crater Rim (Plawangan I) to Sembalun Crater Rim (Plawangan II) since Anak Segera was close following the increased seismic activity in the region. Our agent anticipated this issue and offered to foot 50% of the fees. Thank you Sunny! An independent veteran guide, commented that our group was the first one he had encountered climbing 2 Crater Rims, one after another using 2 different entrances. Our double "Up-Down" loops also sounded a bit bizarre to our Guides. Nonetheless, our Guides went along with our plan sportingly after we ignored their subtle persuasion to visit the local waterfalls and villages.

This time our expedition group consisted of 7 hikers, 2 guides and 5 porters. Starting at an altitude of 1195m asl, which is much higher than Senaru's trailhead of 600m, the trail was relatively flat for the first 30 minutes. Thereafter the trail slowly gained altitude reaching 1800m asl over a distance of 8 km at Pos 3 or Pada Balong. Compared to the popular Senaru route, the Sembalun route appeared quite remote like in the outback. Apart from a signage at Pos 2, the whole place was devoid of any signs of civilisation. Even the pondoks at Pos 1 & 2 looked pathetic. In fact, we were the only registered hikers for that day! On the other hand, the Sembalun trail could be described as more scenic. With few standing trees, we got to enjoy a 360 degree panoramic view of the surrounding area. The orangy grasslands set against the greyish distant mountains and blue skyline gave the whole place a very surreal and idyllic atmosphere. That day, we were lucky as there was adequate cloud cover to shelter us from the sun. The afternoon lighting was also not too harsh and conducive for photography.

By 7 p.m. the whole place was engulfed in darkness and we had to set camp at a spot, about 20 minutes away from Pos 3 or Pada Balong. From here, the trek to the Sembalun Crater Rim would entail another 3.5 hrs of steep climb. Only 3 persons decided to continue the challenge by waking up at 2 a.m. for the uphill trek at 3 a.m. to view sunrise at the Sembalun Crater Rim. The remaining 4 persons, including myself decided to stay back and tramp around. Apparently, the magnificent 3 (Engu, Ai-Ai & SH) managed to scale the mountain slope within record time of 2.5 hours to the amazement of Guide Abdu. In fact, we met them on their return trek at Pos 3 or Pada Balong at 7.40 a.m. They took only 1 hour to return to the foothill from the Crater Rim. Very impressive indeed!

Together, we returned and reached the campsite at 8 a.m. and began back trekking to Sembalun Trek Centre at 9 a.m. This time the sun was unforgiving scorching! Thank goodness, our dear Guide Tuti managed to organise a small truck to ferry us about 2.5 km to the base.

After a thorough wash-up at the Sembalun Lodge and lunch, we proceeded with the third leg of our trip to Gili Trawangan that afternoon, at 1 p.m. (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/07/gili-senggigi-bali-15-19-july-09.html).

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/6521.

Rinjani Senaru Crater Rim 11-14 Jul 2009

On 11 July 2009, 9 of us flew AirAsia to Denpasar, Bali and caught a connecting IAT flight to Lombok. As usual AA apologised for the late departure and thus the late arrival at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport. After passing through the H1NI flu checkpoint and collecting our baggage as well as a slight miscommunication and delay in meeting our agent to collect our flight tickets (to Lombok), we noted to our horror that we had less than 30 minutes to catch the connecting IAT flight to Lombok. With trailing baggage, we made a frantic dash or an amazing race to the adjacent domestic terminal to check in our baggage. Thank goodness, the agent had the presence of the mind to call IAT that we were on our way. At the IAT counter, the check-in personnel coolly greeted us and said that they had been waiting for us. Later we found out that our group constituted 56% of the passenger load of 16 pax. Anyway, we thanked IAT for holding the plane for us.

At the Lombok Selaparang Airport, we were met personally by sanguine Sunny, Director of PT. Lombok Trekking Travel Service (http://lomboktrekking.com/). The 3 hours journey to our lodge at Senaru was rather uneventful except for a colourful and noisy procession returning young kids home after a circumcision ceremony. Our lodge is basic with a great view of padi fields against the Rinjani & Sengkareang mountains in the background. We retired immediately after a dinner of rice, tempeh, vegetables and eggs as well as keropok to prepare ourselves for the following day trek.

After a simple breakfast of pancakes, we were transported 1 km away to Senaru Trek Centre to register ourselves. Besides, the entrance fee of IDR150,000 pax, Sunny paid an additional sum of IDR50,000 pax to cover for the service of a ranger and policeman stationed at the Senaru Crater Rim (Plawangan 1) to stop anyone trying to slip down to Anak Segera Lake which was close to hikers owing to Rinjani erupting unabatedly since May 09.

Our expedition group comprised 9 hikers, 2 guides and 8 porters. Starting at about 8 a.m. from an elevation of 600m, we trekked 7.4 km to arrive at Pos 3 at about 3 p.m. with many pit stops along the way for rest and lunch. We decided to set camp at Pos 3 (2000m asl) and continue our "assault" the following day. The Senaru trail appeared to be very popular for we often bumped into hikers from many different nations. Initially, the trail took us through orchards before entering the virgin jungle. As it was an arid season, the trail was dry and dusty. Except for some intermittent steep climbs, the gradient could be described as moderate. The thick canopy provided adequate shelter against the hot sun and made the trek a pleasant one.

We spent the following morning relaxing and enjoying the cool atmosphere. After lunch, we trooped up to Senaru Crater Rim (Plawangan 1) at 12.45 p.m. We took our time to trek and to enjoy the expansive view given that we had more than enough time to hit the Crater Rim before sunset. As expected, the vegetation became thinner and sparse with virtually grassland and rocks near the crater rim area. The afternoon sun was hot and we could only take refuge by covering up with long sleeve shirts and pants as well as applying SPF50 sun block and wearing large brimmed cap and sunglasses. Of course, the gradient became steeper by 50%.

At 3.15 p.m. we saw the puffing Gunung Anak Baru with a strip of darken hill slope sitting beautifully on turquoise blue lake against the majestic Gunung Rinjani. We quickly set out tripods at vantage points and thereafter wandered around the crater ridge area snapping away photos in whatever conceivable angles. The surrounding view was simply spectacular. Far away we saw the triangular shaped Gunung Agung peeping above a sea of white clouds.

As sunset approached, the golden egg yolk sank slowly into the cloudy horizon and cast a golden hue on the surrounding area. The hushed roaring of the volcano and the wind became stronger as darkness descended. Next the dark strip of lava begun to glow brighter. The whole experience was awesome!

We started back trekking Pos 3 at about 7 p.m. and reached our campsite at Pos 3 at 9 p.m. The downhill descent in the dark along the dry slippery slope could be described as perilous despite the assistance of 2 guides and 2 porters. A walking stick was certainly useful.

The following morning we started our descent as early as 6.20 a.m. The downhill trek was easy and took us about 3 hours to hit Senaru Trek Centre where we had our bath and late breakfast before being transferred to Sembalun Trek Centre to continue with our second leg of our Rinjani Trek (see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/07/rinjani-sembalun-trail-14-15-july-09.html).

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/6366.

Sg Lepoh Waterfall 5 Jul 2009

The last visit to Lepoh waterfall was in 2006 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2006/10/lepuk-fall-2006_16.html).
Development appeared to have got up. Now there are resort-like camps, changing facilities (FOC) and properly demarcation area for parking @ RM2 per car. Overall the place looks neat. Things that have yet to change are the rickety wooden bridges to access the Lepoh trail.

Starting at 10.15 a.m. with a balmy weather on our side, we took a leisurely trek with constant stopovers to admire fruiting trees, plants and flowers as well as standing aside for trail traffic (durian collectors) to pass through.

A huge crowd had gathered at the waterfall when we arrived at 12 noon. Space was limited and we were only able to park ourselves further down the fall. We took opportunity to touch base with old friends during the next 11/2 hours whilst having our refreshment and snacks. We left the place at 1.30 p.m. and arrived at the base at 3 p.m.

Overall, a easy trek even for beginners.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/6278.