Departure is at 8.30 from your hotel. We will see the following things on the way:
This market is the largest traditional market in the city and offers a variety of products such as fashion items, vegetables and many types of spices for traditional Indonesian dishes or the local Sasak cuisine. Continue to the next destination, Taman Narmada Park. This is the largest Hindu temple in the city, built in 1724 by Anak Agung Karangasem from Bali. As the most important temple for Hindus in Bali, Balinese make pilgrimages here to honour their ancestors. The park also serves as a miniature of the sacred mountain Mount Rinjani for the Balinese, while for the locals it is a place where they make a living from the tourism industry.”
The next destination is a visit to the Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls in Rinjani National Park. They are located on the southern slope of Mount Rinjani and offer hiking opportunities in the national park as well as the opportunity to bathe in the Benang Kelambu waterfall.
We visit the traditional village of Sukarara in the south. Sukarara is known for its intricate and beautifully woven fabrics, which are an essential part of Lombok's identity. Just half an hour's drive from Mataram, the village lies in the heart of Lombok. It specialises in songket, an intricately patterned fabric that is embellished by weaving in gold or silver threads. These threads stand out from the other colours and create a shimmering effect. The motifs of the songket are varied; some show floral or chicken motifs, each with its own meaning. The woven items are made of cotton fabric, silver threads, nylon and silk. The dyes come from natural sources such as lead betel, bark, turmeric or tamarind. Weaving is traditionally done by hand and many locals spend their days practising this art. Various products such as clothing, tablecloths, blankets, scarves and fabrics can be made. Visitors also have the opportunity to learn how to weave for themselves and learn more about the complexity and processes involved. Most of the woven fabrics are home-made and offered for sale in many souvenir stores.
Finally, pottery is on the programme, where you will get to know pottery here on Lombok.
Return to the hotel.