Today proved disappointing as the snorkeling I was so eager to attempt failed to materialize. The experts at Dream Divers straight up told us the snorkeling in Singgigi is bunk and that we'd be best served on the Gili Islands. We took to the beach instead for a lazy day in the sun. The ocean was flat and a bit cold. Chuck and I alternated between swimming and watching our gear on shore. The white sand was littered with the decimated remains of sea shells, some peculiar specimens yielding fortuitous breakage that revealed aesthetic spiral structure within. I collected a few samples as keep sakes to remember my time on Lombok.
Hawkers of useless swag accost us on the streets of Singgigi. One guy is selling a rice farmer's hat, akin to the one worn by Raiden from Mortal Kombat (oh, yeah, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout.) I've always desired such a garment but could never find one of desirable proportions. I was able to haggle it down to under half his asking price, again by simply walking away from the conversation. Much to my chagrin I found the same item in the grocery store for 20,000rp (about $2) less. I'm feeling a bit the chump. Later more haggling ensued, yielding a necklace with pendant carved from bone and a woven bracelet bearing black fresh water pearls. Cheap trinkets. Fly, none-the-less.
The most positive development of the day manifested in the form of a promising vacation package. Tomorrow we are to be picked up at our hotel and driven to the base camp of Gunung Rinjani. We are to ascend until dusk, make camp at crater's rim and proceed the next day. Camp at lake shore, swim and relax, early to bed for night hike to Rinjani's peak. Pictures at dawn (praying for clear skies) and long haul back to base camp. Ride to harbor for fast boat to Gili Trawangan. On our own for a day and a half before fast boat to Benoa Harbor in Bali. Hotel in Kuta, fly to JakeTown early morning after. With the few remaining days we'll have a chance to visit Pulau Seribu (Thousand Islands), but we'll burn that bridge when we come to it like the pack of raving bandits we are! Hya!
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