29/12/2009 Waterfalls & a Flat Tyre

Got up early & had the most fabulous banana pancakes & fresh juice & then one of the local guides took us on a trek to see the waterfalls. It was quite a hike as we wanted to see the best falls which of course were the furthest away – down into a valley and then up the side of a mountain and of course every trip to a waterfall here involves at least one river crossing! However it was worth the trek as the view was fantastic & the falls were so powerful (apparently a few people have died having become trapped under them).


Once we left here it started to rain and the pot-holed tracks through the valley south were becoming badly flooded so we had to change our plans & take the east coast road to the south of Lombok. Just as well because about 20km along the road we got a flat tyre & had to change it. Found a couple of guys with a compressor in a shack in one of the villages (you can find anything here if you just ask) but the tyre was stuffed so we had to put on the spare. Hours later we arrived in Kuta Lombok – a far cry from Kuta Bali. This place is just a series of isolated white sand beaches & surf breaks – soon to be turned into the Gold Coast of Lombok by Emirates! Found a room at Tastura Hotel – the only government owned hotel in the district apparently. The place would be great with a reno – we spent our whole time there planning how we would do it up and double the rents!

Lombock East Coast & South to Kuta - Tastura Hotel