Snorkeling, Cycling and Culinary

It's our second day here, and it's snorkeling time. Even I woke up a little late, still, breakfast with a cup of Lombok coffee and veggies omelette is a must :D 

SNORKELING

We gathered up at snorkel booth with another travelers. It takes about 5 minutes walking (or less) from Intan Inn. They provide fins, snorkel masks, life jackets, and Narmada mineral water. Ready and geared up, jump on the boat, and off to our first spot, Gili Meno.

Heading to Gili Meno

Put your fins on

It was an easy snorkeling. Water was shallow, beautiful view of corals and creatures, although I got stung everywhere. No jellyfish there, they said it was plankton?? Hmm... not sure. 

   

Second snorkeling spot was still in Gili Meno, and this time we watched turtles. Water was pretty deep and I got panicked hahaha... I never swim with snorkel mask and fins. So they pulled me to boat and I tried to get myself together. Amateur!! -_-"

Once I've relaxed, I tried once more, because it's something I don't want to miss. This time I wore life jacket :D

Even water was a little murky, it was really fun to see turtles, too bad we didn't get a chance to take a pic of them. They're so cute, swimming by moving their legs near corals like bird flying. 

Last snorkeling spot was Gili Air, we went there after had our meals. It was like late lunch but I didn't feel hungry at all actually. 

Kiss kiss kiss

With fellow travelers from Malaysia

CYCLING & CULINARY

We arrived back to Gili Trawangan about 3 or 4 pm, cleaned up ourselves, and rent some bicycles from Intan Inn crew. They charged us maybe about IDR 50,000.-/bicycle, and we started to explore the street along the beach, waiting for sunset, watching travelers shopping for tonight's beach party, sometimes stopping by to see the natural beauty of this place. 

Cidomo

 Something you should know, Gili Trawangan don't allow any car or motor bike around. Only bicycle and cart pulled by a horse, they call it "Cidomo" (CIkar, DOkar, MObil).

You don't have to worry to get food. There are cafe and restaurants available on the side of the street. They sell many kinds of FnB. Western, Indian, Italian cuisine, with various price. Depends on which cafe you want to hang in. If you like ice cream, there are also some booths sell Gili Gelato with Italian flag icon on it :D 

Or if you'd like to taste traditional local food, usually they sell it while riding bicycle, or a simple cart. But I gotta warn you, they taste really spicy and hot. Nasi Puyung, soto, bakso (meatball), sauteed veggies, fish with yellow gravy broth, pelecing, urap, etc. The unique thing is, I live in Bandung-West Java, and had taste meals from another cities in East and Central Java. We have same ingredients of meals. Take an example, Urap. Urap is like steamed salad. Consist of steamed sprouts, green beans, long beans, spinach, fresh cucumber, basil, and roasted shredded coconut on top. But all of them, taste different. Java basil is fragrant and taste tangy. Lombok basil has different fragrant, not too tangy, and little minty. 

Some local foods

Since spicy sambal here is symbol of power and strength, don't get shocked, almost all local meals will give you strong kick. For example, Pelecing. Aww man... The lady suggested me to taste the seasoning first. Pelecing is steamed spinach or Indonesian kale (kangkung), seasoned with this amazing super spicy kicking a** sambal. Just imagine fire... with teeth. Woooh!! I think we'll go with Indian cuisine and end it up with Lombok coffee in Intan Inn cafe. 

Pesona - Indian Resto

Pesona - Indian resto

Intan Inn Cafe, enjoying live acoustic & Lombok coffee