Hello to all

[merantau]

Greetings to all from Kuta, Lombok quite a convenient place from which to pursue my passion - motorcycle touring in Nusa Tenggara Barat and Nusa Tenggara Timor or to give them their more prosaic sounding name - the south-east islands.

For those of you who don't know this part of Indonesia it has: good roads, few people (relatively speaking), friendly locals stunning scenery, great food, deserted beaches, verdant forests and some tremendous off-road adventures as well - what's not to like!

I'm 64 years and feel like I'm in the prime of life. I've had bikes all my life. My first big trip was in 1973 when I rode a CB450 DOHC Honda to London. Started in Singapore, then up to Thailand, back to Penang, ferry to Madras, then overland to Istanbul, on to Calais and ferry to Folkeston. Ten months on the road and a lifetime of memories.

My current bike is a KLX150 which I'm really happy with. I'm a minimalist so travel with very little gear apart from tools a camera and a change of clothes. I don't wear any fancy gear which is an added incentive to make sure I stay upright. I've had the same riding shirt for six years. It has these secret, velcro sealed pockets under the armpits for my phone and camera. It's the best shirt I've ever had. I ride wearing shorts and running shoes and the shirt. I'm a bit of a fatalist about the road but I'm also super aware of the two Golden Rules: 'Expect the Unexpected' and 'Live in the Now' Best Wishes for open roads, blue skies, and a view to die for around every bend. Merantau

 

[KTMphil]

You've really done some miles! Really enjoying the Indonesia reports, please keep them coming, great reading for us all.

 

[2wheels]

Welcome Merantau.

 

[merantau]

You're welcome fellas. I'm back in Oz next week but will be back in Lombok next April. If you're going to be in the area let me know. Am really impressed by the spirit of adventure that pervades this site. The photos and routes being taken in Thai, Lao, Vietnam and now Myanmar are just the most. If Myanmar opens right up, I'll be hot footing it over to do the Stillwell Road from Lashio to the Indian border. That would be a dream trip. My first ride on a bike was in 1954 - pillion on a Sunbeam 500 that a mate of my old man's had just ridden out from the UK. Two years on the road, he was. Untold adventures I'm sure. He was 57 years old when he did the trip. Probably one of the few people ever to make it down the Stillwell Road post WW2 as Burma closed its borders at end of '54.

 

[2wheels]

Hope to catch up with you soon Merantau.
Maybe Chiang Mai, maybe Lombok.

 

[Lone Rider]

A bit belated welcome to the forum - been only once to Bali and Lombok although I lived for 8 years in Indonesia quite some time ago (1978-1986). Must admit that these 8 years were happy years and I am still toying with the idea of relocating from Thailand to either Laos or another country and Indonesia is very high on the list of "others".

 

[merantau]

Thanks for the welcome. This forum has such a lot of useful info and people doing great things. Big thank you to those who set it up and keep it rolling. There are a lot of islands to choose from if you do finally settle on Indonesia! Any motorcyclists passing through Lombok next year in the months May - Sept are welcome to drop in and enjoy our hospitality if we are around. Would love to showcase some great rides and great scenery

 

[2wheels]

Any motorcyclists passing through Lombok next year in the months May - Sept are welcome to drop in and enjoy our hospitality if we are around.

Thanks Merantau; I'm certainly interested.
(Before the Great Aussie Tourist Rush !)