Harmony in Lombok, Republished

Finally... I got my Lombok features story published.
Here is the link: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/24/lombok.html

With many disputes between religions and races in Indonesia lately, it seems like the national Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) slogan has been ripped off.

Bali's Mount Agung
Through Trawangan Rocks

My adventure in Lombok shows that there is still hope to keep the spirit alive.

Lombok is an island across the strait from Bali, dwelled by Sasak and Balinese. 

Locals and foreigners rub along very well in Gili Trawangan. It is a gili (Sasak’s word of small island) with most population among the other two Lombok’s north west gilis. Around an hour driving north from Lombok’s capital Mataram, you will get to Bangsal, a small harbour to jump off to Gili Trawangan.

The island’s natives, especially those who work in bars, resorts and hostels, speak not only quite good conversational English, but also French, Italian, Japanese, and Korean. This welcoming attitude of Trawangan people invites foreign sponsors investing there in alliance with locals. For instance “Tir Na Nog”, an Irish sports bar owned not only by an Irish, but also a local entrepreneur.


Scenery is not the only drawcard of the island. It seems like many foreign tourists, mostly female, are beguiled by the charm of the islanders. A neighborhood called Kampung Bule (foreigners’ village) is where those captivated tourists, mostly European and Japanese, reside and raise a family. Here you may find blond kids speaking Sasak instead of English.

Without a doubt, football is a people sport. The first ever Gili Trawangan Football Championship in March 2011 drew together locals and foreigners as players and supporters. Ahead of time I thought it would be improperly held. Then I saw players wearing jersey and football shoes, a referee and two linesmen in uniform, a game commentator, so therefore I knew I was wrong. They even played 2 x 45 minutes like a world cup game.

Dipping Her Body Into Trawangan Water

Gili Trawangan is a widely recognized holiday destination for its exquisite beach. White sand, clear and three colours water, enhanced with eclectic underwater, make your snorkel, surf or sunbath experience feel so right. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island too, thus you can enjoy the fresh air and have a fun yet healthy holiday.

The name “Trawangan” is derived from the word terowongan (tunnel), since there is a historical cave tunnel in the island. The tunnel was set up by Indonesian forced labor to be used as a quarter for Japanese army in the World War II. 

From the gloomy history of Gili Trawangan, the island has turned into a paradise now. It holds at least three parties a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night. If you visit the island mid-month when the moon is in its full round shape, local youth throw a Full Moon Party where all local DJs are brought together, plus a fireball man. 

Partying is a new Trawangan culture. In 1999, investors of leisure business invited Italian DJ Roberto. Ever since locals learned from him, and now the island has eight local DJs. You don’t have to bring your urban party look to party in Gili Trawangan. Only some rules applied: no fighting, no gambling, no prostitutes and enjoy your cheap drinks!

Harmonious life also belongs to Moslems and Hindus in Lingsar Temple, as they worship together there. Even on a big day like Pujawali (worship day of walisanga / the nine ancient Moslem’s disseminators) and Tupat War (to ask prosperity and fertility), both believers celebrate together. To get to this place, you need an hour driving east from Mataram.The Islamic belief breeding there is called Wektu Telu (three times) as they do the prayer only three times instead of normal Moslem’s five times prayers a day. According to the guide, this school is an imperfect form of Islam, which holds still Sasak’s animism.

Lingsar is derived from the word Ling means sound and Sar means water. The temple is indeed never out of flowing water sounds. A pool named Pesiraman (shower pool) pours the water from Mount Rinjani’s spring, which is believed to have a healing power. In order to shower there, you must put on white fabric and wear flowers. 

Kemalik Pool

Only steps away you can find a mystical pool called kemalik (shrine). The pool is guarded by Indonesia’s Garuda bird statue. A myth has it that a total of nine mystical tunas live there. People often throw a coin with the Garuda image into the pool to ask for a life partner. While if you throw an egg, a pawang (diviner) may invite a one meter tuna out from nowhere. 

These two pools are located in a holy area, thus you need to put a yellow loincloth on before entering. 

Welcoming at the temple’s entrance are the twin pools. These pools come up with exactly the same size, ornaments, and material. 
Afore-time they were used by twin princesses Kosala and Kosali to bath.

Local Delicacy of Plecing Kangkung and Taliwang Chicken

TRAVEL TO LOMBOK

There are several ways to get to Lombok from Bali: airplane, speed boat, or the budget style I did, public ferry. However, I suggest you to go with a package shuttle bus and ferry since public transport is not widely available in Lombok. Crossing with a ferry takes you around four hours.

It is easy to find accommodation there. From Rp 60,000 (US$6) per night hostel to a million rupiah one is available. A simple tip is to arrive early so that you have options. If you are finding it hard, the people there will help you find a place to stay, including letting you stay overnight in their house, just like my friend did.

Fifteen Minutes with Cesc

I will never forget these fifteen minutes given to interview the Spanish national Cesc Fabregas last Wednesday, 22nd June 2011. Along with four others journalists, we had a very fun fifteen minutes talk, and it only took fifteen minutes for me to know that this world-class football player possesses a very nice character. His face showed exhaustion, yet his smile didn't wear off. I can also conclude that Cesc is a good boy, very humble indeed.

Here is a piece of my story published by the media I represented:
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/06/23/barcelona-me-best-place-be-fabregas.html

Wearing Indonesian Batik Scarf
courtesy by Matheos V. Messakh

From these fifteen minutes conversation, there are several quotations of Francesc Fabregas that I find interesting:

"Being on the streets for many hours, that's how I improved."

"Discipline is something that I always had in me."

"When I was six year old and I had the game for the next day, my mom wanted to take me to McDonald then I said: no mom, give me a salad, give me a fish, I need protein for tomorrow."

"My friends are very important for me, because I  know them since they were very little, since school, and I have the same friends."

"Life is always about making decision, making the right one is not always easy. You'll never know what is going to be the best thing for you so you have to imagine what could happen in both ways, and hear what your heart says. It can go wrong as well, but at least you've done what you thought it was the best for you."

"I like many footballs and I try to learn from the best teams."

"I love kids so much. It's important for me because they are the future. The future of football, the future of football."

"When I was eight I used to play with ten. When I was ten I used to play with twelve. I was always been a little bit more advance."

Journalist: You don't want to go home to Barcelona?
Cesc: Yes I will go on holiday.

Journalist: You look gorgeous everyday. Please describe you fashion style in three words.
Cesc: Can I think about it first and let you know later. I really don't know what to say, it's difficult.

"Barcelona for me is the best place to be. All my family and friends are there, and it is a nice way to disconnect from football... I live a little bit away in a small town and it's fantastic to live there."

*)Cesc was in Indonesia for a product promotion event where he is chosen to be the ambassador.