Lombok Day Trip - Pura Lingsar (Temple)

Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Thu 28 Oct 2010 04:04
 
Thursday 28th October
 
As we climbed higher into the mountains passing through rural villages we came across this river, Kali Babak. There were dozens of men collecting the sand and rock from the bottom of the river to be purchased to use in constructing buildings. The sand is piled onto floating rubber rings, then transferred to the shore before adding it to the piles lining the road. What a laborious job - all by hand!
 
  
 
Working in the dirty river
 
  
 
The river walls were rugged and sharp as the path was caused by an earthquake........Rice drying at the side of the road
 
  
 
Piles of sand and grit
 
 
Our next stop was a Hindu temple, Pura Lingsar, nestled up in the forest where we were required to hire sarongs in order to enter as it is necessary for you to cover your ankles. Normally your shoulders too but the guard allowed Amy to remove her cardigan as it was far too hot. I think it is the muslim temples where it's absolutely necessary. The guard showed us around and tried to entice the holy eels from their lair with hard boiled eggs.
 
The large temple is the holiest in Lombok. Built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ngurah, and nestled beautifully in the lush rice fields, it's multidenominational, with a temple for Balinese Hindus and one for followers of Lombok's mystical take on Islam, the Wektu Telu religion.
 
   
 
Team photo..........Family photo
 
  
 
Enticing the eels..............Ornate door
 
  
 
Cheeky monkeys pinching the offerings to the gods......the one on the left even managed a whole bunch of bananas
 
  
 
A family praying...............The largest shrine
 
  
 
Collecting holy water in their cans.....................The whole temple
 
 
Time to go..........over the road for lunch
 
There were probably 10 or more of these Warungs, a street side restaurant, although I think restaurant is a bit too posh a title for these places. Each had ladies sat outside cooking 'Sate' or 'Satay' as we know it. This is the good thing about being with Indonesians, as had we organised our own tour, we'd probably never have eaten here. The menu wasn't too complex, it's either beef or chicken sate but we confused things and had a mixture which was served with rice wrapped in palm leaves. It was delicious - a perfect lunch break!
 
  
 
  
 
Cooking the sate.............eating the sate
 
 
Public toilet incase you need it...............I think I'll pass!