Friday, March 15, 2024 – Photo of the Day – Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia

Where in the World Are We?

In Lembar, Lombok, Indonesia, it is in the South Pacific Ocean.

LEMBAR, LOMBOK, INDONESIA
HOME TO THE SECOND HIGHEST VOLCANO AND AN AMAZING, UNIQUE WILDLIFE

An island of startling contradictions and contrasts Lombok exudes an aura of the staid and the rural a genteel way of
life in a quiet backwater. Located to the east and across a deep strait from its illustrious neighbor Bali the island of
Lombok offers unique culture beautiful landscapes and a far less frenetic pressured atmosphere than Bali.

However savvy travelers agree that Lombok’s calm existence may soon come to an end as it is fast becoming the new
“in place” after Bali. The island was once ruled by a series of Sasak princes who spent their time fending off successive
invasions from Sumbawanese and Makassarese attackers. In 1740 the Balinese established a stronghold here and
imposed their culture on the Sasaks. Later Lombok came under Dutch rule until the country achieved independence.

The western part of the almost circular island is well irrigated by mountain streams and artesian springs. Here
Balinese and Sasaks have sculpted handsome rice terraces Hindu temples vie for attention with glistening white
mosques rising from picturesque rural villages. More dramatic is the southern coast with beautiful sandy bays set
between rocky outcrops.

Most of Lombok’s attractions are concentrated in the western district of the island within a nine-mile radius of the
capital Mataram. Members of Lombok’s polyglot population – Sasak Balinese Chinese and Arab – continue their laidback
traditional ways.

NARMADA ROYAL PARK
The Narmada Royal Park & Temple, built in 1727 by the King of Mataram Lombok, Anak Agung Ngurah Karangasem, is the site of the Pakelem Ceremony held every full-moon between October and November. In addition to the ceremony, Narmada Royal Park is also used as a resting place of the royal family during the dry season.

SIGHTS

Lembar Beach
Gili Mas
Cakranegara Town
Mayura Water Palace
NTB Museum
Sayang Sayang Art Market

Today’s Excursion – Journey through the Royal Park

We discovered the splendid beauty and sights of the ‘Brother Island of Bali’ during this picturesque, half-day sightseeing excursion to Lombok.
Gili Mas, Lombok, and Narmada Royal Park & Temple
We visited the Narmada Royal Park & Temple, built in 1727 by the King of Mataram Lombok, Anak Agung Ngurah Karangasem, as the site of the Pakelem Ceremony held every full-moon between October and November. In addition to the ceremony, Narmada Royal Park is also used as a resting place of the royal family during the dry season.

Lingsar Temple
Lombok’s most important religious site, the Lingsar Temple was built in 1714 by Balinese Hindus when they first visited
Lombok; however, the Lingsar Temple is not a purely Hindu temple. It represents a blending of the Hindu tradition with Wektu
Telu, a religion practiced by the Sasak people, natives of Lombok. The Lingsar temple is famous for a pool of water in the
Wektu Telu area, which is sacred to the deity of Wisnu.

Sesela Art Market, Free Time and Shopping
This local art market was built as a hub for Lombok Island residents and craftsmen to display and sell their crafts. The market consists of small stores selling such handicrafts as wooden, rattan, cane and bamboo products, along with antiques and traditional woven cloth (ikat).

TONIGHT’S SHOW – SONGS WE LOVE TO SING

Steve and Mike Foenander present exquisite renditions of classic jazz standards up to new and exciting arrangements of contemporary songs. With precision harmonies that can only be achieved by brothers, Mike and Steve bring their own brand
of humour to the show. Think Frank Sinatra meets Michael Buble or Tony Bennett meets Jamie Cullum. Best friends and brothers, Steve and Mike love their audience and use every last breath to bring back the best in popular music and leave the audience wanting more.

Mike and Steve Foenander enter stage right like the seasoned performers they are, there’s no doubting the skill and pizzazz these brothers have; something that comes only from many years spent performing on stage. Mike possesses a strong, punchy voice, whereas Steve has more smooth undertones; different as their vocal approaches are, together – in unison or in harmony – their voices make for the perfect musical combination.