Still Naturally Gili Sulat and Gili Lawang

Who is not familiar with Gili Trawangan? The three islands (Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan) in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, is very popular for both local and foreign tourists. Non-motorised system imposed on Gili Trawangan island makes it more interesting to visit. And for fans of scuba diving and snorkeling, the underwater paradise surrounding this island is an attraction in itself.

This time I will share stories of nautical tourism on the island of Lombok, but not in West Lombok but on the other end of the island of Lombok. Backpacking us this time is in two small islands (gili) Sulat and Lawang, located in District Sambelia, East Lombok. Unlike the three dyke in West Lombok, two dyke is as yet untouched by the commercialization and hype of visitors. Precisely this hidden beauty that is still the main attraction for us.

Moving on from Mataram city at 7 am to bring snorkeling equipment, enthusiasm can not be hidden. Even the breakfast was done in the car with yellow rice, anchovies and boiled eggs. Understandably the way to the pier where the boat that will bring to Gili Gili Lawang Sulat and is approximately 2.5 hours. I looked at the three faces of my friends who are still sleepy because yesterday after the snorkeling at Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, they eat durian in the market Mataram. Apparently they have not stomach my stomach setahan Indonesian people, so that one person had to repeatedly go to the toilet last night while the two others could not sleep because it overheated.

Once the car started to leave the city of Mataram, the scenery a paddy field was able to make their eye sight. Dinh unremitting DSLR catapult him busy while Yen asked Ms. Goddard and mas Emon who accompanied us that day. Ms. Goddard is a lecturer in Mataram but a human being 'water', a nickname that we provide because of his love of all things related to water. While mas Emon was his fellow humans 'water' which are still active as a coach of swimming, diving and snorkeling.

The morning was a bit foggy after overnight rain. A paddy field with a background Rinjani mountain with a peak covered with mist, featuring the natural beauty of Lombok along the road impassable. When the sun shines shyly from behind the clouds, bubbling dihatipun hope for a sunny day. Sunday morning was more alive when the car past the traditional markets. Frenzied buying and selling activity provides its own beauty to be enjoyed when his car stalled market bottlenecks.

There was two and a half hours went by and we also arrive at the boat will take us to the second dyke. Seen three young men were waiting. They are young men who were two of them are athletes diving and marine tourism development in these two Gili. With the help of PNPM funds they can complete the diving and snorkeling equipment that could be leased and the funds used to support the activities there.

Simple boat without a roof has been waiting. We also directly mount. Snorkeling equipment (fins, mask and snorkel) and life jacket are available. Life jacket is very important to me and two friends who did not know how to swim. Meanwhile, a box of mineral water, lunch and a few coconuts can also be seen already in the boat. We are indeed planning to eat lunch at Gili Sulat dishes while enjoying the mangrove forest (mangroves).

The first stop is between Sulat and Gili Gili Lawang. Here the water is calm and the current is not strong. Many are small colorful fish and coral reefs. We also do not wait to plunge into the water, underwater beauty is truly captivating. Unfortunately we could not capture the beauty of this underwater in the absence of an underwater camera. After about half an hour in that spot, the boat was moving towards Gili Sulat hoping to see more fish. But it seems we are less fortunate, so that looks just coral reefs. Even so, the spirit does not fade bersnorkling fixed, can only understand snorkeling fun .... He-he-he.

Before I knew it was already showing at 12 o'clock and were already rumbling stomach. One by one boat was boarded and then headed to the pier on Gili Sulat. This dock was made by the local fisheries department that could be used to place stop and rest. The road from the pier into the island is of wood with the left and right are mangroves. Truly exotic scenery and soothing.

Carrying lunch, unrelenting camera dijepretkan occasional and stylish with beautiful background Gili Sulat. The length of this road about 200 meters into the island. The stop is at the center of the island and supplies were unloaded. While enjoying the beauty of mangrove forests, bekalpun began to eat. Clear water around the mangrove forests of this reflects our shadows and luxuriance of forest. A little sunshine to try stroking the skin.

Lunch starts from the 'pillow', the term Ms. Goddard to Lombok food made from glutinous rice with the content of bananas. This confectionery wrapped in coconut leaves shaped like a diamond. Meanwhile, Andrew and Denise, to prepare a young coconut drink. Apparently a combination of 'pillow' with young coconut water can prop your belly so that we postpone lunch. Besides still full, also fear that overeating will cause cramps during snorkeling later.

While trying to earn a young coconut meat using a 'scoop' from the outer skin of palm, snap jeprat events are still ongoing. Even Dinh and Yen climbing mangrove trees to get a cool pose. Full stomach with a natural ambience make sleepy eyes, let alone the behavior of animals sounds like music that lull.

Hearts and minds seemed to work together to reject the move from the beauty and tranquility of this mangrove forest. Disease 'yawn' spread quickly, as if to give legitimacy to not hurry to leave this natural charm. However, the shadow of the beauty of the sea is also tempting.

Aaahh ... what a dilemma, between leaving the beauty of mangrove forests and underwater imagine charm. A difficult choice ...

Finally, after a rest for a moment, we also pack up to return bersnorkeling. This time the spot is taken is in front of Gili Sulat but a little bit to the middle. And one by one we were again plunged into the water. This time we were lucky, a variety of large and small fish bersileweran visible everywhere. Coral reefs, colorful add natural beauty of this underwater. The sun is getting hot do not stop the fun to enjoy the charm of this submarine, so when the flow was starting to feel we remain unmoved.

At the time of the stronger currents, with a heavy heart this underwater tour should be ended. Time seemed to run, but we still want to be under water. There was already almost at 3 pm, pestapun over and challenge the current boatpun move back to the island of Lombok. The heat of the sun is real impression on our skin, but in a matter of weeks will be lost again. But memories of the natural beauty of the sea Gili Gili Lawang Sulat and mangrove forests along keeksotikan hearts imprint will remain. God willing, someday we'll be back.