I had been preparing for the trek to Mt. Rinjani for a while. Zaidah and I went for a hike to McRitchie Reservoir and I was climbing the 15 flights of stairs to the flat I have been sharing with a bunch of Filipinos. But it was the jogging that ruined my knee. After that, I’d been anxious about the trip. Would I be able to make it to the Summit?
The hike was not very difficult, given that we had about three days to be back at the base. However, my knee gave up on me at the end of the first day. The next morning was the climb to the summit, the most difficult part of the climb because of the ash on the ground, which pulls you back every few steps you go ahead. The two German teenagers in my group were the fastest of the climbers and I was one of the slowest. Fortunately, I had an excuse. I spent no more than 10 minutes at the summit as it was freezing. Climbing down was twice as difficult. By lunch we were by the hot springs and there are few things I have awaited more. I was hoping that some magical minerals in the spring would cure my knee, but alas.
Another stretch of climb after lunch and we were at the camping site, which was beautiful. Unfortunately, the place was also littered with faeces. Not all the tour companies set up a temporary toilet, and mostly the human to toilet ratio is poor. So, I am also guilty of not carrying a mini shovel to bury my shit.
Once I was back in the village of Senaru, I took up a better room at the homestay. Mr. Adi and his family were very friendly. Being the festive month of Ramadan, I was even offered some home-made snacks. The place reminded me of my village. Even the long journey from the airport was like travelling from Bagdogra to Pedong. As we slowly ascended to the higher grounds and felt the cold breeze hit the face, I knew I was going to stay here for more than I’d planned to.
I spent the last two days in Kuta, Bali. Funky Monkeys was just the kind of hostel I liked. Run by locals with just the right decibel of noise and enough guests in their thirties. Tea/coffee and pancake batter on the house anytime of the day or night. At night, I went to Sky Garden with a few people from the hostel. The buffet was one of the best I’ve ever had. For less than 15 USD, it was a steal. One of the Argentinian guys with us owned a "love" hotel back home and grew his own weed. He tried scoring after the party but was given some dry leaves of a common plant. Unfortunate.
The next day I got a tattoo on my forearm, had a terrible foot massage, picked up a gift for Zaidah, and then made my way to the airport. It was an excellent trip.
Another stretch of climb after lunch and we were at the camping site, which was beautiful. Unfortunately, the place was also littered with faeces. Not all the tour companies set up a temporary toilet, and mostly the human to toilet ratio is poor. So, I am also guilty of not carrying a mini shovel to bury my shit. Once I was back in the village of Senaru, I took up a better room at the homestay. Mr. Adi and his family were very friendly. Being the festive month of Ramadan, I was even offered some home-made snacks. The place reminded me of my village. Even the long journey from the airport was like travelling from Bagdogra to Pedong. As we slowly ascended to the higher grounds and felt the cold breeze hit the face, I knew I was going to stay here for more than I’d planned to.
I spent the last two days in Kuta, Bali. Funky Monkeys was just the kind of hostel I liked. Run by locals with just the right decibel of noise and enough guests in their thirties. Tea/coffee and pancake batter on the house anytime of the day or night. At night, I went to Sky Garden with a few people from the hostel. The buffet was one of the best I’ve ever had. For less than 15 USD, it was a steal. One of the Argentinian guys with us owned a "love" hotel back home and grew his own weed. He tried scoring after the party but was given some dry leaves of a common plant. Unfortunate.
The next day I got a tattoo on my forearm, had a terrible foot massage, picked up a gift for Zaidah, and then made my way to the airport. It was an excellent trip.
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