CYCLING EXPLORATION:
SOUTHEAST LOMBOK
Southeast Lombok is known to be one of the most beautiful place on the island, but the most neglected. Before my visit, I knew I’d be faced with such ethereal, mind-blowing experience but somehow it took me a while to finally meeting the area face to face.
Long dirt roads, crystal clear beaches, high cliffs, and different types of forests are some of East Lombok’s qualities that got me daydreaming at home, wishing I would someday touch its ground.
Even though I love riding on dirt roads around the area, of course I want East Lombok to do better and head towards greater developments supported by the local government. Just like how Central Lombok is now world-famous since the existence of the MotoGP circuit.
However, developments in more remote regions (sometimes in a general sense, for that matter) is not always positive. Especially if it involves big projects with big money rolling in where some people are screwed over while some are sitting on temporary thrones that made them feel like they own the world.
While I’m hoping for the opposite, East Lombok is quite possibly the last piece of puzzle of that systemic greed and corruption, and I want to be there as often as possible before the puzzle is completed.
Anyway, one of the placest that I went to is Pantai Batu Dagong which was recommended by the locals. It’s not a typical local destination to spend a weekend at since it’s empty with no snack or coffee stalls around. The desert-like surrounding gave me a new experience, it was nothing like other beaches I’ve visited before.
The wind was blowing nicely, the roads were amazing, the cliffs were high enough to make me nervous; it’s a special place to begin my short trip to the east.
Long dirt roads, crystal clear beaches, high cliffs, and different types of forests are some of East Lombok’s qualities that got me daydreaming at home, wishing I would someday touch its ground.
Even though I love riding on dirt roads around the area, of course I want East Lombok to do better and head towards greater developments supported by the local government. Just like how Central Lombok is now world-famous since the existence of the MotoGP circuit.
However, developments in more remote regions (sometimes in a general sense, for that matter) is not always positive. Especially if it involves big projects with big money rolling in where some people are screwed over while some are sitting on temporary thrones that made them feel like they own the world.
While I’m hoping for the opposite, East Lombok is quite possibly the last piece of puzzle of that systemic greed and corruption, and I want to be there as often as possible before the puzzle is completed.
Anyway, one of the placest that I went to is Pantai Batu Dagong which was recommended by the locals. It’s not a typical local destination to spend a weekend at since it’s empty with no snack or coffee stalls around. The desert-like surrounding gave me a new experience, it was nothing like other beaches I’ve visited before.
The wind was blowing nicely, the roads were amazing, the cliffs were high enough to make me nervous; it’s a special place to begin my short trip to the east.
Next one was a dramatic sunset at Turtle Beach. Kinda distracted me from the fact that this beach draws people to come to have a look-see at its rock formation; that’s right, because it’s shaped like a turtle.
Seriously, though, the sunset was one of the best I’ve seen in Lombok.
Seriously, though, the sunset was one of the best I’ve seen in Lombok.
The last piece was Tanjung Ringgit. Prior to my visit, I had one thing in mind; I’m about to see the edge of the world.
It’s a valid thought. If you look up “Tanjung Ringgit” on Google Maps, you’d probably agree.
It’s facing an open ocean with nothing to prevent you from seeing the several layers of blue horizon, the wind is blowing kinda heavily; the only sound is the waves hitting the cliff, the only smell is salt water.
But once I was looking at the horizon, with the lighthouse behind me, the feeling changed.
Somehow it doesn’t feel like the edge; it’s a realization about how many places I haven’t and would like to explore, even the ones which existence I’m not even aware of.
I’m not even close to the edge. Heck, I don’t think I’ve reached the center of it yet. Whatever “it” means.
It’s a valid thought. If you look up “Tanjung Ringgit” on Google Maps, you’d probably agree.
It’s facing an open ocean with nothing to prevent you from seeing the several layers of blue horizon, the wind is blowing kinda heavily; the only sound is the waves hitting the cliff, the only smell is salt water.
But once I was looking at the horizon, with the lighthouse behind me, the feeling changed.
Somehow it doesn’t feel like the edge; it’s a realization about how many places I haven’t and would like to explore, even the ones which existence I’m not even aware of.
I’m not even close to the edge. Heck, I don’t think I’ve reached the center of it yet. Whatever “it” means.
