‘Me and My Best Friend Moment’ - A DREAM CAME TRUE; A PROMISE WAS FULFILLED

Visiting a friend of mine living in Mataram, Lombok

It would be a very wonderful joy if I could visit one of my best friends living in Mataram, Lombok. Since almost 8 years ago when I was about to leave the town where we studied, for working in a different city, we planned that someday we would meet each other in her place of origin. She is very, very kind-hearted and helpful. She helped me when I was running out of my monthly living cost, together chased the counselor of my graduating paper, talked about personal matters each other and did silly things, such as being late for final examination just because of taking long queue in the bank to take balance of Kuliah Kerja Nyata fees amounted less than fifty thousand Rupiah only in order to buy things we were dreaming. Therefore, I can imagine how it will be a beautiful moment for us if finally we make our dreams come true; even if only sitting together for a cup of coffee or tea and listening each other more about our recent life from heart to heart.

16.08.06

There’s no special thing today – one day before the 61th Independence Day of our country. I went to the office as usual and did the same tasks every morning: checking office emails, browsing internet to find information requested by my boss, reading current news on-line, and of course, checking my personal mails. As I opened my inbox, I found an email from www.sahabatnestle.co.id/perfectmate among emails from my friends, mailing lists, and promotions. I thought that the email from Coffee-Mate was merely usual promotion. I clicked the website address mentioned and soon I saw a new window. And suddenly I remembered that I had ever saw this ad in Cosmopolitan magazine and that I sent a short essay though I was not sure when I sent it via email. Without guessing further about the result of this promotion, I only clicked on the button ‘promo’ for the 2nd round. Then, upon clicking the ‘winner’ I saw several names of the winners, and oh my God, one of them is my name. It was really a surprise. I couldn’t believe it. Swear! I was worried I misread the ads. I spelled the ads letter by letter. But indeed, my name was there. I won the first prize to Lombok. One return ticket Jakarta-Mataram, accommodation during in Lombok for 2, and dine-in voucher. Alhamdulillah. But I still asked myself ‘Am I dreaming’? Did I really win a prize of going to a place I have been dreaming for years – a dream comes true?

Because I was still hesitant, I decided to check with Cosmopolitan magazine. After contacting 108, I got the phone number and finally could reach Rani – the one who handled the promo held by Nestle Coffee-Mate and Cosmopolitan magazine. I won the prize!!!!

Then I began to plan the travel schedule. I sent an SMS to my friend for her availability during my visit there. I also let my mother know about this news. And I started browsing internet to find the places of interest to visit. Guess? Meru Temple, Narmadi and Suranadi Park, the Museum, centers of ethnic handicrafts, and definitely Senggigi Beach... I wish I could see Rinjani Mount, but it will not be likely possible because I will only have 3 days vacation.

17.08.06

Early morning I received a phone call from my friend, Eka. She confirmed that she and her big family would warmly welcome me there. Well, she had made a list of things I could bring with. Asinan Bogor hehehe…Okay, I will buy some for you and your family.

22.08.06

I went to Jakarta Downtown and had myself visit a bookstore to buy several reading books for Eka’s five years old boy. Hopefully, he will like it.

24.08.06

Dwidaya Tour and Travel contacted me and we started arranged my trip. I planned to depart from Soekarno-Hatta Airport on 8 September 2006 at 10.00. Frankly speaking, this will be the first time I fly with this airline. So far when I flew, I used Merpati, such as when I visited my city of birth in Belinyu, Bangka in 2004 – just 24 years after I moved to Java. I hope that the flight won’t be late as I had experienced L.

It usually takes around 2 hours from Jakarta to Mataram. Upon arrival, I will have a tour to Sasak village. It sounds terrific. Then I will spend the night in Jayakarta Hotel Lombok. Actually, I was offered Holiday Inn Resort Lombok, but I decided to choose Jayakarta because the latter is nearer to Selaparang Airport and closer to Mataram city where Eka lives so that it is easier for Eka’s younger brother to pick me up from the hotel to their house. Besides, it is also near Senggigi Beach. I really hope that I can witness the beautiful sunset there with Mount Agung and Bali in the background.

For the second day tour, the travel agent offered me 2 kinds of tours. Gili Air Tour or Ethnic Tour. And I prefer the latter. Gili Air with snorkeling perhaps will be very refreshing, but I cannot swim very well L. Moreover, I don’t think I will enjoy it with maximum if there are no my close friends or family. So I find ethnic tour will be more suitable for me. I can visit the shell and pearls crafts, weaving and wooden handicrafts.

06.09.06

I took the return airplane ticket + hotel voucher + inbound tour voucher in Jakarta, just before visiting Korea Product Show in Shangri-La.

07.09.06

Preparing all things I had to bring with me to Lombok. Leaving the office at 16:00 on time for Bogor to buy ‘Roti Unyil’ and ‘Asinan Bogor’ for Eka and her family. Getting back home around 20:00. Thanks God, no traffic jam.

08.09.06

Woke up early as usual. Preparing myself for the trip. I took Angkutan Cicadas-Kampung Rambutan at 06:30 and arrived at the bus terminal around 07:30. I got on the Damri shuttle bus Kampung Rambutan – Soekarno Hatta Airport around 07:35. The bus left for the airport 5 minutes later. Everything went well until heavy traffic congestion happened, starting from Taman Mini Toll to Cawang. Oh my God! I was very, very worried if I would miss the plane. And guess! In the Airport toll gate, the driver stopped his bus only for distributing the bus ticket. Did he aware that the clock kept on ticking. This really tested my patience. I got off the bus at 09:40 while the boarding time is usually half an hour before the flight schedule. I rushed into the check in desk and the officer said that the boarding was just nearly completed. She was not sure that I still could be on-board. ‘Mam, please, one seat only’. And what made thing worse was that I am unfamiliar with the airport area, where I should give the boarding pass, from what gate I should enter hiks…So, I just asked anyone whom I thought they knew how I could get onto the plane as fast as possible. It was silly, I knew. But who care? I did not know them, and they did not know me, either hehehe…

Having known the entrance gate, I rushed along the corridor while I was imagining a scene in ‘Home Alone 1’ movie hehehe…

Finding my seat and leaning my back against it made me feel relief and my adrenalin soon dropped.

No special things happened during on-board except that I was just aware that the plane would make transit in Yogyakarta for 30 minutes after 50 minutes flight from Jakarta – Jogja.

It took only an hour and 6 minutes to fly from Yogyakarta (JOG) to Ampenan (AMI) Mataram. Getting off the plane, I could breath fresher air than Jakarta. It was the first time for me to step my feet on Lombok Island.

A tour guide of Lombok Paradise picked me up and we directly started the tour instead of checking in to the hotel because I wanted to save time. We sopped by at Eka’s house to deliver roti unyil and asinan bogor. Then, efore we started the tour, we had a lunch; the menu was ayam taliwang (grilled hot hen) and plecing kangkung (sauteed water spinach with hot chilli sauce). If Dora had joined the lunch, she would have said ‘delicioso!’

There were three places of interest I visited. The first one was Pura Lingsar or Lingsar Temple. The name was derived from ‘ling’ which means sprinkle and ‘sar’ which means water. It is the oldest and holiest temple in Lombok, owned by both Hindus and Moslem Waktu Telu (praying 3 times a day instead of 5 times a day). It is located 7 kilometers west of Narmada. It was built in 1714 and rebuilt in 1878 to symbolize harmony and unity between the Hindu Balinese and Moslem Sasak population of the area, especially those who adhere to Lombok’s unique Wektu Telu school of Islam.

The Balinese temple is built on higher ground, behind the Moslem section in the compound. In the lower yard is a spring in which pilgrims in the temple yard stage a mock battle between Hindus and Moslems, in which both parties hurl ketupat (rice wrapped in leaves) at each other. The Pujawali festival is also celebrated here in November or December, just before the mock battle.
To respect each other, within radius of 2 kilometers Moslems are not allowed to bring cows while Hindus are also not allowed to bring pigs.
Seemingly this temple is lack of preservation. Several statues lost their ‘heads’ and villagers believe that the renovation needs special ceremonies.
The second place I visited was Taman Narmada or the Gardens of Narmada. This was built in 1805 by the raja of Mataram, Anak Gede Karangasem. The name was derived from ‘nar’ and ‘mada’ which mean ‘water’ and ‘sacred’. It referred to the holy river in India and was the replica of Gunung Rinjani and its crater lake, made for the raja when he became too old to claim the real volcano to make his offering to the gods. Cynically, commentators claim that he built the lake here to lure local women to bathe while he sat in his pavilion and watched. That was what flashed in my mind when I was seeing from a traditional building located higher than the pool. The springs have never been dry even in severe dry season. People surrounding this area also believe that drinking the water from the sacred spring (one of the springs) can make someone staying young. The local guide offered me the water, but I do not believe in such superstition.

From Taman Narmada, we visited the shell and pearls handicrafts in Pagutan. The metal part is either made of silver or stainless steel with varied range of pearls sizes and colors in form of bracelet, ring, necklace, brooch, etc.

Finally I checked in to the Holiday Inn in Senggigi Beach, around 40 kilometers from Mataram. I was surprised because before my departure, I already asked the travel agent to book a room in Jayakarta Hotel because the it is nearer to Eka’s house so that we could drive around Mataram city at night, just after my tour. Anyhow, I soon found out that the travel agent in Lombok was able to book Jayakarta Hotel for the 2nd day. So, I found it great to stay at 2 different hotels. As I arrived at Holiday Inn around 17:30, I thought I could see a beautiful sunset in Senggigi, but unfortunately the sky was cloudy. So, I decided to have a walk along the beach in the next morning.

In the evening Eka called me informing that she would come to see me at the hotel. We talked about our friends and family. She also brought her two sons.

09.09.06

Before having breakfast, I strolled along the beach. The wind was very cool, but I really enjoyed it. There were still a few of people doing the same thing I did.

For the 2nd day of tour, we visited 5 places. First, we went to Banyumulek, the center of earthenware/pottery. The village is situated about 10 kilometers to the South of Lombok's capital city of Mataram. There are many home industries traditionally producing the varied kinds of earthenware for many purposes, i.e. preparation and serving of food and ceremonies connected with village life. Other materials are also used, such as coins, grass, rattan, banana leaves and eggshell as ornaments on the earthenware. The products are also exported. Pots are embellished by burnished decoration, in which the contrast between burnished and unburnished areas can be exploited to create pattern.

The next destination was Sukarara (read: Sukerare) village, a center of traditional hand weaving. It takes 2-4 weeks to weave a cloth subject to the difficulty and design which they learn by heart. So, the production is like home industry. Many use natural coloring agents, such as yellow from turmeric and blue from indigo plant.

It is a custom there that no girl is allowed to marry until she can weave well. It is said that this custom aims at preventing girls from marriage at very young age.

From Sukarara, we went to Sade, a traditional Sasak village. According to the local guide, around 700 persons inhabit this village. The marriage happens inside their big family because they cannot afford the expensive brideprice if they took girls outside their village. Their jobs are farmers with only once a year harvest. When they do not grow paddy, they also weave. Since the harvest happens only once a year due to poor irrigation in this region, they build a lumbung or lumbuk – later people call lombok – a place to store their paddy; not only for one family, but for 4-6 families.

As for houses, the floors are soil with 3 rooms only. One room is special for giving birth – if not used, then just for keeping firewood, one room serves as a bedroom for girls and also as kitchen, and the other room serves as a bedroom for parents and boys. If the house is too small for a family, then the boys can build another small houses for themselves. The roof is made of grass (tall, coarse grass) and it is durable until 7-10 years. The door is low. The wall is made of bamboo plaits. Especially for the floor, they usually mow it with buffaloes’ manure every 4-6 months and then dry the floor. Oops! Can you imagine? I visited a house which had just been mowed 4 days before. And it just looked like soil. No smell of the manure at all.

By the way, there is a story behind why they build a parents room in the lower place near to the main door. They have a particular process of marriage. In other cultures, perhaps the most polite way of asking a girl to the parents is by visiting the parents and politely asking them or in short, making a proposal or an engagement. In Sasak, they have ‘merarik’ which means kidnap a girl at night. Even though it is called kidnapped, usually the girl has known the man, and agreed to married. And there are several rules applied to this process. First, kidnapping process should not be done by the man alone. He should ask other persons to join. Kidnapping at daytime is not allowed; it should be executed in the evening instead. The girl usually has made appointment with the man when he will do ‘merarik’ so that she can prepare. If the man does not follow the rules, there will be punishment and the process is considered as not valid. Once the man succeed kidnapping the girl, then he will report to his village head – not the girl’s village head, and delegates will come to the girl’s parents for negotiation, such as how much the bride price. If the parents agree, the wedding ceremony will take place.

Having visited the traditional Sasak village, we went to the south to Kuta (read: kute) Beach. It takes approximately an hour and half to get there from Mataram. This beach is very famous for the great waves which are very good for surfing. The shore is clean white sand. The water color looks greenish blue. This is the place where Mandalika’s Festival takes place, when Sasak people gather at the sea side each evening around in search of the fluorescent “Nyale” worms who appear for only a day or two and then disappear for another 12 months.

It is related with the legend of Putri Nyale or Denda Mandalika. Local legend contends that these water-dwelling sea worms are the manifestation of the fabled Princess Mandalika, the “Putri Nyale” or “Princess of Light” who, it is told, sacrificed her happiness and her life so that the people of Lombok might live in peace. In the tale known to most children on the island, the beautiful and kind princess placed peace and harmony among her people above all else. Therefore, when faced with having to make a choice between one of three princely suitors and perhaps creating jealousy and hatred among the subjects of the three kingdoms of Lombok, the Princess fled to Mandalika mountain where she leapt into the sea while proclaiming her love for her people.
When the men of the island also leapt into the ocean to save their beloved princess, they found only thousands of the unusual fluorescent worms. Princess Mandalika is believed by many to still dwell in Lombok’s seas from where, once each year, she reaffirms her love for the people of Lombok when she appears in the form of the aquatic glowworms.
The worms are gathered and used as a valuable fertilizer on local crops. Some are even fried and eaten by those desiring the blessing of the birth of a child.
(legend story is taken from http://www.balidiscovery.com/update/update178.htm

Last destination of 2nd day tour was Pura Meru. It was built in 1720 during the reign of King Anak Agung Made and dedicated to the Hindu unity on Lombok. It is located between Mataram and Cakranegara. There are 3 temples representing 3 gods of Hindus. The highest temple has 11 meru as the roofs, while the other two have 9 meru. Believe it or you count by yourself. Around the yard, there are 33 small Meru shrines for 33 delegates around the regions in Lombok during religious ceremony.

In order to respect one of his wives from Sasak who was a Moslem, he also built a mosque near the temple.

The second day ethnic tour ended. I checked in to Jayakarta Hotel which as I said it is nearer to Eka’s house as we would go around the city in the evening. Great! The hotel is in Meninting Beach, Senggigi. Once again, I tried to ‘catch’ the sunset, but still I was unlucky.

Eka and her family picked me up around 19:30 and we had a dinner in one of the restaurants selling ayam taliwang, plecing kangkung, beberok terung, and nila bakar. Again, delicioso! Not only because of the food taste, but also our togetherness hiks hiks…

10.09.06

The travel agent picked me up at the Jayakarta Hotel and took me to Eka’s house. So, it was the time I was introduced to her big family. We went shopping for gifts and souvenirs to bring with me for my friends and neighbours. We had lunch together before we left for the airport. It only took around 10 minutes from her house. Luckily, the flight schedule of her father coming from Jogja was just before my schedule. So, I had a chance to meet him there. As I had to be on-board soon, we bid adieu hiks hiks…

I arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport at 16:30. Breathing the air of Jakarta awakened me to the reality hehehe…

Going back home to Gunung Putri by DAMRI and finally reached my home around 19:00. My sweet, sweet home, much less luxurious compared to those 4-tar hotels, but always feels good to be at my own home.

Distributing gifts and souvenirs to my neighbours and felt happy to see them happily receiving those small things. Perhaps memories are more valuable than their nominal prices.

So, what will be other places to dream of? Let my imagination wander…

I enjoyed the vacation very much!!!

Thanks to:
Allah:
You gave me this chance, You console me. I must always keep faith in You; that You will never let me be in the whole darkness and sadness because You will always lead me to find the way out.

My boss:
For having bought the Cosmopolitan magazine. Guess! I could not have had the chance if I had not read it (and of course, even though I had read it, I would not have got it unless I had tried hehehe)

Ms. Rani of Cosmopolitan magazine and Mr. Willy of Dwidaya Tour and Travel:
For arranging my tour