Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile
I had difficulties deciding to rent a car with driver to explore some parts of Lombok because it was expensive doing it on my own. Luckily, there were two Germans who were in the hostel who wanted to do the same. I came up to them and asked if I could join them, I got used to asking total strangers if they had the same plans all because I wanted to save money, and maybe we might become friends after.
The road trip to the falls was quite long, but the rout was scenic. Lombok didn't have the droves of tourists that its more famous counterpart (Bali) experiences. The serpentine rounds zigzagged around hills, mountains and the beautiful countryside. Even the biggest city, Mataram, wasn't that big compared to Jakarta or even Kuta in Bali. Things were a lot less commercialized, which was a plus for me.
Two of the destinations we went to were famous waterfalls in Lombok, which are Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile. Honestly, I wasn't sure which one was which, but they were both beautiful.
The first one we went to was easy to get to (that rhymed, yes!). The short trek through the forest was a breeze and the reward was this spectacular waterfall. There were a handful of people coming and going, and showering at the foot of the falls.
After a short and slightly more strenuous trek, we arrived at one of the most spectacular waterfalls I've seen since Asik-Asik Falls in Cotabato.
There was predictably more people here since there is a swimming area and better opportunities for photographs.
The water was cool and as you got closer, you will also get wetter, even if you don't plan on swimming.
There were several other waterfalls in Lombok, these were the only two we decided to visit. Traveling with random people is quite an experience, especially for a frequent solo traveler like myself. We got to know more about each other and they got to know more about the Philippines as well.
*Our group of three paid IDR 250,000 each for the whole day car tour which included ticket prices and guide for the waterfalls. We booked it through the hostel; if you plan to do the same thing, there are a lot of agencies in Senggigi that pretty much offer the same things with slightly differing rates depending on how well you bargain.
