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Indonesia Cultural Trip. Day 3: Mataram

Interesting views on the sea cliff
We actually. didn't draft any plan for the itinerary while in Lombok. So, we solely relied on Pak Ibrahim recommendation. Once arrived at Teluk Kodek, we met him at the jetty. That was the first time we met as he couldn't welcomed us at the airport for some reasons.

We were talking about the Sasak culture, and one thing that caught our intention is about the 'kahwin lari' thingy. It actually a tradition in which the girl will be 'kidnap' by her bride-to-be. While the girl is hiding in the village head's house, the man's family will negotiate on the wedding agreement with her parent. Three days passed, if the girl's family still not accepted the proposal for any reason, the wedding will still be performed by the village head.

Before we check-in our Golden Tulip Hotel in Mataram, Pak Ibrahim made stopped at several interesting places. The windy road on the Sengigi's banks offered stunning view of the Bali's sea. Little did we know about the 'Villa Hantu', but according to Pak Ibrahim, it's pretty known to the most of Malaysian tourist. It was actually a half-way built villa that left abandon by the owner, located on the cliff of the Pantai Setangi. Though the name was scary, the place was the best spot to take postcard-perfect pictures.

We made a stop at Teluk Nipah look-point
The abandoned villa were filled with grafities
A spellbinding view from the villa's rooftop
Spooky isn't it?
A postcard-perfect of Pantai Setanggi
I believed this will be a lovely villa if not been left abandoned
This one was much more spooky!!
Pura batu bolong, literally means 'rock with hole', was our next stop which was about 10 km from Pantai Setangi. It was a Hindu temple that served the minority Balinese lives here. It probably best to visit in the late evening to view the sunset.

It was said that there were 14 altars on this rocky volcanic outcrop
It's not the grandest temple as compared to Tanah Lot Bali
A short visit was just enough for us
A small yet an appealing temple to serve the minority
We stopped for souvenir at Sasaku Ole-Ole Lombok
This was among the best restaurant, we made a come back on the other day
We again had been upgraded to the bigger room when checked-in. It was Executive Suite upgraded from the Junior Suite... whoaaa!! It comes with a living hall and a huge bathroom, and the front-desk personnel escorted us all the way to the room.  After a short doze, Pak Ibrahim picked us in the late afternoon to visit the traditional woodcraft village. After a brief stopped, Pak Ibrahim took us to the historical Taman Mayura. Built in 1744 by the Bali government, and it was one of the battle fierce ground between the Balinese and the Dutch.

En route we stopped at one of the woodcutting cultural village
Their hand work were very fine and beautiful
Thinking of hassle handling this craft, we just don't bother to get one

There was a charity dinner that the lake was decorated with floating candle
A small bridge leading to the center pagoda
About 10 km from Mayura, we visited another Balinese Hindu Temple, Taman Narmada. It was actually a Royal Palace of Mataram King turned into public park. Located in the Lembuak village, the park is actually a replica of the Rinjani Mount, as the Anak Agung Anglurah was not able to hike the real mount to sacrificing the Hindu God.

The park was built by the King in 1727
 Bale Terang was the place where the King's families enjoy the beautiful park

The Royal bath area viewed from the Bale Terang
The room of the Queens of Lombok
The pure dug water in this room is called Ayer Awet Muda 
The Kelasa Temple is among the eight oldest temple in Lombok
It seems that Hindus are preparing offerings to their God

Location: Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

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