Happy New Year 2019

02.01.2019

In an international cozy gathering, we celebrated the new year with guitar music in our homestay in Bajawa.

From Labuan Bajo, we took a minibus to Ruteng, which took about 4 hours (115 km). Ruteng is located at an altitude of about 1000m, so the temperatures are slightly milder. We were warmly welcomed in our homestay with homemade pastries. In the homestays, it is common for guests to have free tea, coffee, and drinking water available.

Unfortunately, we are currently having some bad luck with the weather...⛈️ Since the city of Ruteng was not really inviting, we continued our journey to Bajawa the next morning. Again, a 4-hour drive for 150 km. This place is also located in the mountains of Central Lombok, but somehow the atmosphere here is more pleasant. Everything is within walking distance here, and the people are super friendly and clearly enjoying the few tourists here, and we with them... no comparison to Labuan Bajo.

Around Bajawa, there are several smaller volcano craters, waterfalls, traditional villages, and hot springs. We took advantage of a break in the rain and went for a short hike to see Lake Wawomudha. The trail passed by cow pastures, which reminded us a little bit of alpine meadows, and through jungle-like bamboo forests. The sight of a dead snake (a substantial specimen) on our way up stopped our ascent. Luise refused to go any further. So, we didn't see the crater lake... but the journey is the destination 😊. The day was probably too short for the hot springs. Today, we literally had to hunt for food. Due to New Year's Day, almost everything here was closed. It is probably the only day of the year in Indonesia where almost everything is closed... at least in less touristy areas. For now, an instant noodle soup had to suffice, which we could find in a small shop (or makeshift stall) nearby.

It started pouring again, but we are sitting dry and the last fireworks are being set off on the street.

We wish you all a happy new year and stay healthy 👋😊

Never try, never know