Kuta Lombok to Flores, Lembata, Solor and return.

[merantau]

Day 22 (cont)
After leaving Kuil Bao Ang Gong my next port of call was Bungin Island reached by a northerly turn off just west of Alas.

Bungin is a community of Bugis fisher folk. It is one of the most densely populated spots on the planet.

A five minute ride takes you to a tee intersection where you turn right. A short while later you round a bend and are greeted by the island and the Causeway that connects it to the mainland.

There are 3300 people living on Bungin. If someone wants to build a house they have to collect the Coral, rock and landfill to extend the island.

The people are super friendly. Fishing and services that support fishing are the major economic activities on the island.

 

[merantau]

After leaving Bungin Island, I made my way to Homestay Agal on the Western edge of Alas city to meet an old friend, Agnes. She manages this family run business which provides excellent rooms and a good breakfast. Agnes has open her own cafe on the premises. I had an excellent coffee and a plate of pisang goreng Krispy - crispy, fried bananas - dressed with chocolate sauce and grated cheese - sensational!

Back on the bike, I pulled up at the Alfamart in Poto Tano port, 30 minutes later. What follows are photos taken on the crossing to Pelabuhan Kayangan in east Lombok.

 

[merantau]

Day 22 (cont)
When we arrived at Pelabuhan Kayangan I could see immediately that we had a couple of ferries ahead of us. We would have to wait our turn - but for how long?

It turned out to be about forty minutes. I tossed around the idea of spending the night in a nearby homestay, but opted instead to try and make it to Kuta before the curtain came down on the day.

So, I rode up the exit ramp and took off with intent. I made excellent progress, taking no risks but not hanging back either.
I made it to the turnoff at Pringabaya and took a left on the road to Labuhan Haji.

A police check in Labuhan Haji robbed me of another five minutes. Then I got lost and had to retrace my steps for about 7 km. Kuta before dark was looking less likely by the minute.

I pressed on battling high-beam blindness, the origin of which can be directly connected to the almost blanket ignorance of the headlight dip switch, which seems to clothe both Indonesian drivers and riders.
My safest move was to stick behind a car or truck, so that's what I did.

I rolled through the home gate at 7.15 pm. It was a very enjoyable trip and great to know that I have lived to ride another day.