Advertisement
Published: July 25th 2009
Edit Blog Post
We left our paradise island Gili Twangan with yet another night without electricity, which was no surprise and there were huge rain storms, not good for getting stuck in while getting candles. Unfortunatly for us the guys running Abdi homestay had decided to get stoned rather than get more petrol for the generator.
We got our early morning boat over to Bangsal harbour on Lombok (the hell hole of the world). In this process i didnt think that maybe it would be a good idea to take my walking boots off before attempting to get into the boat. Massive error as i flooded my walking boots, definatly not a good start to a day of treking. From the hell hole harbour we got a bus that went to Senaru at the beginning of the trek. Here we got our banana pancakes and we thought perhaps maybe the trek would not be that bad. I mean it was only two days and one night, how hard can it be.
Having consumed our pancakes which were amazing, attempted to dry out my walking boots, unsuccessfully, we started the trek. All we had to carry was our water and clothes for the
Gili Air
Peace At last night so we were optomistic. Having paid our entry fee we started and got to the start of the trek (when we thought the trek had already started). What no one tells you about this trek is that it is a vertical climb, there are no flat bits. There are no views out to see how far you have climbed, instead for six hours you are climbing up a path through the thick jungle. For the first hour you are interested in the jungle after the first post, you interest goes and after post 2 you want to die.
Having reached post 2, our stop for lunch, we started treking again. It was only four more km to go, however it was even steeper. At this point SJ vented what we were both feeling that this was impossible, but there is no choice but to continue climbing. So climbing we did and eventually got to post 3. Surely near the top. Here you come out of the thick jungle and into the open air. It is incredible views and at least you can see where you are going to, that is until you reach the top of the hill you are climbing and see there is an even bigger hill behind you.
Having trekked all day, absolutly knackered we got to the rim of the crater at 5.30 so plenty of time to put all our clothes on because it is freezing up there and watch the sun set. It is amazing to see as the light fades the colour of the lava coming out of the volcanoe. Here dinner was served which again was really yummy (the food on the trek is a definate plus) and the cold wind set in. As our tent was pitched right on the edge of the crater we acted as a wind breaker for the other tents therefore our tent sounded like it was about to take off all night. I managed to get a perfect night sleep apart from waking up at 12 in the morning to find my knees had seized up, but two nurofen plus sorted that out.
In the morning we woke up to watch the sun rise which was amzing, as the photos show, if i have managed to upload any for you to see. Then started the decent from the horrid volcanoe. Again until we got to post 2 it was fun. And even the past day was a distant memory apart from the shear concentration of walking down/sliding without falling off the deathly drops, it was nice to actually appreciate the view and look at the jungle we were walking to.
We were lucky that we had a really nice company and the porters were very amusing. They would come running up behind us and shout at us to go faster. How they can run down the mountain in flip flops is beyond me. We attempted to keep up with them, but after a few near death experiences we thought maybe this was a bad idea.
After post 2 the pain started to set in. Anything that was not hurting from the trek up was hurting from the constant banging of jumping down the mountain. At post 1 we finally got our lunch however this was no consulation as in the back of our minds there were still three legs of the walk to do.
We finished at the gate to the park and the pain sank in. It was a relief to be down, however it was sooo emotionally draining and physically exhausting that when a giant wasp decided to take a liking to me and SJ it pushed us over the edge. Lets say the others in our group did not appreciate the whining girls the other day and thought it even more bemusing to see us running around and bursting into tears as this wasp got nearer.
Back on the bus to the harbour in Lombok. The thought crossed our mind, was it actually worth the hell of walking up and down just to see a view that looks the same as a photo. I am still undecided on this as i sit in an internet cafe the day after in sooooo much pain. That to even bend my leg sends shooting pains to my body. I think i have managed to pull the muscles in my thighs, hips, lower back, actualy down all one side of my back, my calves, shoulders. Basically eveyrwhere. Would i recommend someone to do it, I dont think so, I would not call it a plesant experience, but an experience it was.
Since returning from our trek we have stayed on Gili Air for a night to rest. It is really quiet and was exactly what we needed after such a hectic day. And we have finally returned to Kuta and found accommodation. We have both come to the conclusion that we have bought wayyyy tooo much stuff so a parcel will soon be arriving home. After all i need to make room for all the clothes and stuff i am going to buy out here.
We had a lovely time in Bangsal harbour but i feel that deserves a whole blog of itself!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.126s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 11; qc: 50; dbt: 0.0995s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Daddy
non-member comment
Gosh what an amazing daughter
Quite amazing looking forward to reading more - Love Daddyx