I took a shuttle bus from Ubud to the east coast and then a four-hour ferryboat to the island of Lombok. Immediately different than Bali… gone were the numerous Hindu temples, people making offerings to spirits, and the Balinese attire that had grown so familiar to me… in it’s place were Muslim Mosques with blaring Islamic music and women wearing veils, at first I was nervous wondering how I would be received as an American in a 90% Muslim area after all that is currently taking place. After touring Lombok by shuttle bus I took another boat to get to Gilli Trawangan one of three small islands off the coast of Lombok. Arriving I was pleased to see pristine white sand beaches and clean clear water. It reminds me a lot of my next destination Boracay, in the Philippines, as there are no cars, or motorbikes just a coastal footpath with horse drawn carriages, restaurants, bars, and cottages. I looked at three different accommodation choices before arriving at my final destination. My goal an animal/spider free sleeping area, I found it in a place, which was nothing special with the exception of plaster walls and a clean western bathroom. Nirvana, for $50,000 Rupiah. I paired my economical accommodation choice by paying an equal amount to the nicest hotel on the island for daily poolside guest privileges. Once again however, I found myself attached to a local at my accommodation by an unseverable umbilical cord. I don’t know how I do it but I end up trapped in a cat and mouse game wherever I go. My shadow in this case is a very nice guy that wants to chaperone me everywhere I go on the Island… and once again he is oblivious to my lack of romantic interest. Actually I find it impossible to be alone on this island… at dinner each of the restaurant staff takes their turn joining me at my table for dinner and discussion… locals walk up and sit down at my table… I answer the normal questions… I’m from California… they sing the obligatory Californication or Hotel California tune. All of this aside… I appreciate the friendliness of the people and no one seems to harbor any ill will for my being an American… quite the opposite… as I walk down the path they call out “Hi American, join us, stay for dinner, have a seat”… “Where are you going?”… “I’ll join you”. The local girls are very small and slim so the locals like my fuller curvy figure and they call out “sexy bum” as I walk by, they also like my curly wild hair, which they seem to have a universal description for (noodle hair) which they say with a smile as if it is a great compliment. There are lots of couples here so it would be a better place to visit with a friend. The World Cup is going on… so all of the fun outdoor bars have the soccer games up night and day on the outdoor screens and TVs that would normally be playing music or illegal movies.
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