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Day 6: Senaru - Senggigi Beach - Bali - Bersakih |
After breakfast at Pondok Senaru, we left at about 0905 heading for Senggigi
Beach in a Jeep provided by Suma. The journey from Senaru to Senggigi took
about 2 hours. When we arrived at the
Senggigi Beach Hotel, the security was
tight as there was an Asean Senior Officials' Meeting being held from 10th-14th
September at the hotel. After settling into our rooms, we splitted to have our
own lunch, and I went to the main road outside the hotel. A chinese grocery
store selling cheap souvenir t-shirts was at the road junction along with many
restaurants further down the road.
In the afternoon, I learnt from the girls that they had booked their next day
trip to island hopping and I was not invited. I felt sad as I always thought
that we came as a team. I spent the rest of the afternoon wondering what I
should do the next day. At about 1700, I decided to go to Bali to climb Gunung
Agung on my own, and bought myself a map of Lombok and Bali at the hotel
souvenir shop. I knew I had to hurry as the ferry ride from Lombok to Bali
alone would take 4 hours. I boarded a taxi at 1745 and arrived at the sea port
of Lembar 1 hour later. The RP54,000 meter fare that I paid was more then the
flat fee of RP40,000 that the cab driver asked initially, but I wasn't
complaining as he was really helpful. The ferry ticket was RP15,000 + RP1,000
port tax. After another hour of waiting aboard the ferry, it finally departed
at 2000.
At about 0015 I arrived at Padang Bai, the sea port on Bali island. As it was already very late, the choice of transportation was rather limited, and after some looking around I managed to get a van to drive me up to Bersakih. The initial fare agreed upon was RP90,000, but after arriving at Bersakih they wanted more, and it was settled at RP110,000. It was about 0200 at Bersakih, and the whole place was almost picth black and completed deserted. Luckily there was a police post there, and after waking up the elderly policeman, I was led to a homestay nearby. The owner had a son that works as a guide, and he wanted RP350,000 for the guide and boarding fee. I tried bargaining but he wouldn't barge. I knew he was taking advantage of the situation, but I gave in eventually as I needed the sleep to prepare for next morning's trek. I slept at about 0300.
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Day 7: Bersakih - Gunung Agung - Lombok - Senggigi Beach |
Gunung Agung: 3142m AMSL, active volcano
Geographic Location: Bali, Indonesia
Team member: David
Guide: Komang
| 0630 | The weather was bad when I woke up, it was raining last night and was the morning was foggy. My guide, Komang Dujawan, a 21 year old young man who had just finished high school, arrived shortly. He was worried as if it rains, the trail would be too slippery for us to go up. |
| 0715 |
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| 1245 |
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| 1635 |
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| 1915 | Reached Padang Bai, but there was no ferry. |
| 2100 | Finally boarded a ferry, but it is not leaving. |
| 2230 | The ferry finally departed after 1.5 hours of waiting. |
| 0245 | Arrived at Lembar. The ride from Lembar back to the hotel cost RP70,000. |
| 0455 | I was back in my room at Senggigi Beach Hotel. |
The fog seemed to have cleared up slightly, and so we began our trek.
We went pass numerous small lanes beside the sacred temples of Bersakih that
led us to the back of the village. From there on it was jungle trail all the
way up. The trail was made of loose volcanic ashes and screes and was quite
slippery even when dry. As we needed to complete the trek and return before
sun down, we took no rest except stopping occasionally for a breather.
At about two third up our journey the jungle came to an end, and after
scrambling through the gaps of some rocks, we were above the tree line. The
terrain transformed into alphine desert covered with volcanic screes, and we
found ourselves walking along an upward ridge.
We reached the summit. Although many publications citing the height of Agung
to be 3142m AMSL, others said it is now 3014m after the 1963 eruption. My
uncalibrated Casio altimeter reported a height closer to the later at 3005m.
Originally hoping to see Gunung Rinjani from the summit, I was left disappointed
as it was very misty at the summit. According to the guide books, the view is
generally better in the morning before the clouds risen. If you are planning
to climb Agung, please note that there are religious events in April and no one
is permitted to climb the mountain during that time.
We took a 30 minutes lunch break before starting our descent. Slightly more then
3 hours later, we were back at the Bersakih village. As I was slightly ahead of
schedule, I visited the local handicraft shop and took some pictures of the
hindu temples from the outside, as the temples are off limit to tourists. After
returning to the homestay, I took a cold shower and had dinner before taking the
return transport to Padang Bai. The chartered transport cost me another
RP150,000.
I woke up at about 1100. As our flight was at 1800, I took my time to enjoy the beach, bought some t-shirts and ikan bakah (grilled fish) from the hawkers at the hotel beach for lunch. The ikan was delicious!
Copyright © David Wong. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior permission from the author. To email me, remove the "_spamaway" from the following address: kalohimal_spamaway@yahoo.com.sg