Please disregard the first Lombok email. I am still tuning video playing and sizing.
The following images were taken from the sliding door of our stateroom.
We had tug help again today. No idea why I find that interesting, but I do.
Many interesting images as we are approaching our docking location.
As we disembarked from the ship today, we were greeted by a dancer and gamelan (the supporting musical ensemble). A fun initial island experience. The last two images are videos.
We visited Taman Mayura Park. Another dancer and gamelan were performing when we arrived.
We were both invited to dance. The results were mixed. Cheryl looks terrific, of course. I really have no description for my performance (but I did take a big swing)…
During the dances, we were treated to tea or coffee and a light snack. All three were very tasty. The two wrapped items were rice-based. The small bananas are everywhere.
After the dances and food, we toured the park, the meeting buildings, and the Hindu temples. The temples were built in the 17th Century and remain in active use. All over Indonesia we noticed black and white checkered sarong cloth wrapped around statues at temples – this is to ward off evil and signify a holy place.
I have become fascinated with birds on this trip (I might need help after we return), hence the following video.
After touring the park, we returned to the bus.
We visited the Islamic Center NTB, which is considered a center of religious tourism in Lombok and is located in Mataram City, the capital of the province. It was built in 1984 and was one of the newest mosques we have seen. There were many people using the facility, probably more than typical because it is the holy month of Ramadan. Anyone can go inside as long as they are properly dressed. A beautiful set of buildings.
Mosques are everywhere in Lombok. When we first started our bus tour, we quickly passed a mosque that was holding morning services. A mile later, we passed another, a mile later, another. From Google AI: “Lombok is nicknamed ‘The Island of a Thousand Mosques,’ but it actually features over 8,000 mosques, including roughly 3,767 grand structures and over 5,184 smaller ones across its villages. As a predominantly Muslim island (80%–90%), these mosques are central to the culture, with minarets dominating the landscape.” Every neighborhood, which consists of 300-500 homes, has its own mosque.
We visited Industri Tenun Patuh, a women’s center, located in Sukarara Weaving Village (Central Lombok). From Google AI: “It is a prominent cooperative and showroom specializing in traditional Sasak Tenun Ikat and Songket. Visitors can watch local women demonstrate hand-weaving techniques on traditional looms, offering an authentic cultural experience and a place to purchase handmade textiles.“
There were four women hand-weaving textiles with different, very complex patterns. Very labor-intensive and detailed work. The results were fabulous, resulting in many different garment types and accessories. Each piece of cloth took several weeks or months to create, depending on the complexity of the patterns and size.
Rice is the most common crop grown in Lombock. We passed by many, many fields. The rice is laid out on tarps to dry in the sun and then transported using small trucks. Note: Cheryl took the first four images. I grabbed the last two off the web as we missed getting our own photos.
Cheryl: Photo Impressions of Lombok: We were immediately struck by the all the mosques – they are everywhere, with some being simple, open air structures and others have more elaborate architecture and colors. Shops tended to be small and neighborhood-based. Scooters are the main mode of transportation and are numerous. And, the drivers weave in and out of lanes without hesitation, often times within inches of other scooters, cars or trucks. I found it stressful to watch with my American-eyes. It seemed dangerous (and indeed it is – thousands of people die every year due to roadway accidents) and maybe half of the drivers didn’t wear helmets or protective clothing/shoes. Even the little children sitting in the arms of their parents. The last photo in the collection below is the entry into the women’s center, celebrating a place for women to pursue and teach their cultural heritage of weaving and to support economic development efforts where women can sell their cloth to support their families.
On a somber note, much of the island’s poverty level is very high, meaning many structures are in a state of disrepair. There is trash, particularly plastic, everywhere. Any vacant lot, most streams, and waterways are filled with rubbish. Very sad to see and so very different than many of the locations we have visited to this point during our cruise.
Much of the crew greeted us when we returned to the ship. Marcel, the hotel manager, was first. Chef Alastair was the music DJ. A very fun and unique way to board. The second image is a video. Viking makes the trip fun with dance parties, unique meal events, special entertainment, and lots of positivity.
Enrichment: Bali – Part of the Dutch East Indies. Learn how Dutch colonial rule shaped the island’s history, culture, and its people – Michael Barnett.
Founded in 2000 BC by Austronesian settlers from Taiwan. The island adopted Hinduism from India via trade and is still the most common religion in Bali.
Very early, the island adopted Subak: “Subak is the water management (irrigation) system for the paddy fields on the island of Bali, Indonesia. It was developed in the 9th century. For the Balinese, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plant’s roots, but water is used to construct a complex, pulsed artificial ecosystem that is at the same time autonomous and interdependent.” The technique promotes balance, sharing, and co-existence.
The Majapahit empire ruled for 180 years and still continues to have a large impact on Balinese culture.
The Dutch, specifically the Dutch East India Company, had a semi-colonial presence for 400 years. The Dutch were more motivated by trading profits than by replacing the local governments.
Tourism became a major part of the economy starting in 1970. This has both pros and cons as tourists produce significant income but also leave a lot of waste and tax the local infrastructure.
Cheryl and I both grabbed some great photos as the ship was leaving port.
More images and videos can be found here.
As is always the case, the images and any videos in this posting are best viewed on the web page.