Again, a misunderstanding, we were thinking we might be
going out on Monday with Agus, , had a text from Yeni saying did we want to go
out with Agus, text back yes please, when and heard nothing else, then today
another text asking if we were available today and Agus came and picked us up
just after 1pm. We had a great afternoon, saw some of the better parts of
Mataram, a temple and Namardah Gardens, had a really authentic lunch out in the
country somewhere north of Mataram, a vegetable satay mix called pacel which
was really nice followed by dodols, a sort of fruit roll in a toffe looking
package and then the piece de resistance – a Peresean Tournament! We were
escorted to our VIP seats (the only seats) in a cordoned off area to one side
of the stage. Peresean is a kind of martial art with long sticks and rectangular
shields where the contestants proceed to try and hit each other with the
sticks. However, they make it really theatrical with music, a very enthusiastic
commentator. The ref, the seconds and the contestants all assume poses, posture
and dance as well as try and knock 6 bells out of each other. It was fun to
watch and certainly nothing we would ever have found on our own despite the
2000+ people who did find it. I mean, who has even heard of Peresean?
We are now going to a Gili tomorrow and hopefully snorkel
then dinner with Sukini on Saturday, plus Agus has said he will take us to the
airport on Monday at 4 in the morning! How lucky can you get?
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