We had booked a half day hike for this morning. It was supposed to start at 8am but our guide turned up early so we left early as well. We started with the hike to the waterfall. There is an official path to get there but we took the unofficial road which leads along the artificial waterway and gave us great views over the valley with rice fields.

We basically stayed on the same height line until we could see and hear the first waterfall. Apart from the waterfall, we could also hear something resembling thunder. Rani told us that those are eruptions within Rinjani, though, when the magma hits the water of the crater lakes. That was not the most reassuring of all explanations.

Going down to Air Tejung Sendang Gile, the view was lovely. The water falls down in two steps from a steep wall that is completely covered in green; ferns and jungle creepers. It has been ages since we saw the last waterfall…probably back in NZ.

You shouldn’t go underneath the water (it is falling down about 60 meters) but you can still get close enough to get wet from the spray. A couple of photos and a biscuit break later, we started for the second and more important waterfall. Again, you follow the artificial waterway and even cross an aqueduct with a drop on both sides before you have to cross the river twice to get to the place. The river is quite cold and the water is so clear that you can see everything. Rani helped me through the crossings; it’s just a bit hard crossing with bare feet rather than in water shoes as the rocks make footing uneven. It was much fun nevertheless.

And then we reached the waterfall ending in a pool that you can go swimming in. You still have to climb over some rocks and currents to get to the pool but then you’re in the super cold water, hearing the roaring of the waterfall and getting hit by the spray. Again, it is not a good idea to get under the waterfall as it will push you underwater but the pool was amazing. Such a beautiful spot. And for the swim, we were the only people there.

On our way out again, we realized that the next group of three girls had arrived. They were not too interested in swimming (probably too cold), did a bit of posing in a bikini and left again before us. Coming from the rather conservative east, I was slightly weirded out by them hiking back in their bikini bottoms. It just looked so much like they forgot to put on pants.

Up top of the hill, where the official path starts, we had an early lunch at Rani’s wife’s warung before heading off into the village to try fruit and see a traditional part of the village. Rani gave us a cashew fruit to try and the meat or juice is quite yummy. Flo couldn’t restrain himself and bit into the cashew kernel…just to find out that it contains an anaesthetic so his tongue went numb. Luckily, it’s just uncomfortable and not dangerous.

A dog started following us around through the different parts of the village, setting every resident dog on edge. On the way back to the hotel, Rani stopped at different local’s houses. At one of these places, we were offered to try a local snack: A raw or green mango sliced and dipped into a chili-palm sugar-paste. It was hot. Very, very hot. Even the locals started puffing. I tried just a tiny bit with a lot of mango and found it too hot but Flo took a liking to it and eat a bit.

At our hotel, we got a free ice tea while talking to Rani and the staff which was very nice and super helpful. But we had to leave as we wanted to meet Ollie, a traveller from the UK, in Senggigi.

It didn’t take us long to get here. The road along the coast is lovely on a motorcycle and gives you pretty views of the bays but there are tourists in cars around and they seem to go at 10kmh. One of the cars stalled going up the hill with us right behind them so we had to stop on a steep stretch as well.

Senggigi is a proper tourist place. It even has a Sheraton hotel. And one ATM next to the other. And even new taxis. Everything. We’re not used to this anymore.

Ollie had told us about a place to stay but we were unable to find it, crossing town three times before Ollie found us on the road and lead us to Oggie’s place. There, we had a lovely late afternoon talking to Ollie who’s been on the road for two years now and then a delicious vegetarian dinner at Coco Beach restaurant. We took a taxi there and thought it closed when we arrived and it was all dark. But a lady rushed up and told us they just have a power cut and the generator will be on soon.

Leaving the restaurant again at 10pm, we didn’t realize how time had passed. At Oggie’s place we watched a tiny bit of the horrible news from Europe before heading to bed.