So on the boat over to Lombok we decided to look at the map and decide what we wanted to do. 5 minutes gone, and we had decided to rent a car for 10 days and try and tackle the roads - which we hadn't seen yet - along with not damaging the car. After a night on the 27th in Senggigi, roughly 10 minutes into our journey, I (head driver) had already headed into two lanes of one way traffic! Which gave Matt and Tim alot to laugh about.

Our aim was to try and drive around the whole island using the coastal road and the roads close to the Rinjani mountain, one of the highest in Indonesia.

We first went to the south western peninsular and drove to the furthest tip called Banko- Banko which was incredible. We stayed at a really nice place which had this two young puppies (the ones in the picture) that Tim was obsessed with. We got a local fishing boat out to one of the islands and made a day of the quiet island and the reef.

We then drove to the south central part of Lombok called Kuta Lombok on the 30th. This was less quiet and not that incredible. It was nice to stay closer to a beach and some bars but it was nothing special compared to anything in Thailand.

The next stop was further east at Gurepuk. This was nicer and we decided to give one of the fishing trips ago. So at 6am in the morning we set out to catch some Mahi-Mahi or Barracuda. After 4 hours we had only had two bites, and didn't catch anything! It was a laugh though and saw some of the southern coastline.
Matt and I then decided to try surfing on the off shore break at Gurepuk. It was weird having to get a boat out to a surf spot but was nicer waves than Kuta in Bali. This was where I decided I much prefer snowboarding seeing as you can just sit on a chair to get to the fun bit!

Our seventh on the 2nd was in a really small village called Sapit which was right on the slop of the volcano Rinjani. We had to drive up some meandering roads that were probably more pot holes than road, to the small villages which grow and harvest tobacco.

Today wad probably one of the best. We decided to check out some spring fed swimming pools recommended by a travel book we had found. What we didn't realise was the book was two years old and the pool was empty. The next stop was some hot springs which was supposedly a 2km walk from the car park. After 4km we got to the hot spring which had the strongest smell of sulphur/ egg ever! It was a nice walk and also gave birth to what has to be the greatest practical joke ever.... played on me! I think I'll have to explain it in person to give it justice.
We then left there to go on what has to be the best stretch of road I've ever seen. It was a winding road to the top of the Sembalun valley with a pack of Macaques (classic grey monkeys) ever 100m. Even though they looked like they wanted to jump into the car, they were cool to watch! We then got to the top which had an incredible view. Right the way down the valley where you could see the flat flood plain where they grew garlic, tobacco and peppers. And amazing drive through the valley seeing all the villages at their daily business or harvesting or building.

I'm not writing this at the north east of Lombok in a town called Labuhan Pandanus where we're staying tonight (the 3rd) before we go fishing an snorkelling on three small uninhabited islands just of the North East shores.

Loving the freedom of the car which has meant we can literally go anywhere we decided as opposed to being restricted by the same tourist bus routes. So far, the car has stayed in good condition! We've got 4 nights left with the car to get round the north of the island and hand it back before we go to the North Western Gili islands.