On my last day in Mika, I want to go to the green stones waterfall (Rombok Ece) again. After teaching the year 12 English class, I asked one of them, Dara, if she would like to go to Lombok (I had heard the name from little kids, so they can't roll their 'r' s quite yet). She is confused. Lombok? (As in Pulau Lombok?)
Yes.
Eh?
Oooh...ok, Rombok!
Rombok means waterfall in the local language, Dayak.
While Lombok means the island Lombok, to the east of Bali.
According to her, there is another bigger waterfall at about more than an hour's walk from the school. The walk would takes us into the palm oil plantations and into a small stretch of jungle by the stream. "Oh, that sounds exciting!" I said. So we made an appointment to go there after lunch.
Well, I thought it was going to be fine and dandy, but apparently the teachers didn't think so. The kids technically can't go out of the school compound during the month before their final examination, and I can't go out unaccompanied. I stood in front of them for a while and kinda grinned, "It's going to be fine... they're grown up already!" Finally the let up on the note that we should return should I feel that the walk is too strenuous. At that time I was thinking: What could be more strenuous than that Cinque Terre walk uphill for 4 hours! Besides, Ithaca is uphill, day in and day out. It should be fine... except, should anything happen to them... I can't imagine what the consequences would be.
And so we went. We prayed before we set off.
At first it was nerve-wracking to cross the road... there is no light and the traffic is fast. Then there's a long stretch of villagey road. then finally... we got to the shadier plantations area.
It's quite scenic I must say... with the ferns growing on the pillar-like palms, and it's star-shaped fronds shading over us. Except... the heat was quite something. My friends was very kind to take my bag for me and held up the umbrella =P (me being the city bum)
Seems that the guys are more fond of the umbrella than the girls. It's the same umbrella that I've been dragging around Europe and Australia for the past 6 months! =D
Some people used broad leaves as substitute for umbrellas.
This is the stream above the waterfall.
One and a quarter hours later... we have arrived!
Needless to say, it was LOADS of fun splashing.
Hope to see you again!
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