REMOVING GALLSTONES NATURALLY

Gallstones may not be everyone’s concern but may lead to cancer. We all have them (big or small, many or few). “Cancer is never the 1st illness. There are a lot of other problems leading to cancer. I came across some materials stating that people with cancer usually had stones,” said Dr Lee of China.

One symptom of gallstones is a feeling of bloatedness after a heavy meal as if you can’t digest the food. If it gets more serious, you feel pain in the liver area.”

Dr Lee offers the apple juice treatment which is good for those with a weak liver. Liver and gallbladder are closely linked.

1) Drink 1 glass (250ml) 100% apple juice 4 times a day for 5 days. 1 glass at breakfast, 1 glass at lunch, 1 glass at dinner & 1 glass before going to bed. It softens the gallstones. Eat normally.

2) On the 6th day, skip dinner. At 6pm, take a teaspoon of Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) with a glass of warm water. At 8 PM, repeat the same for purging purpose. It helps to flush out all solid stuff. It also opens the gallbladder ducts. At 10 PM, drink half a glass of olive oil mixed with half a glass of lemon juice. The oil lubricates the stones to ease their passage. Lemon juice helps to extract the stones out from gallbladder ducts.

Soon you will purge again. This time you can find greenish stuff floating in your toilet bowl, if you have gallstones. “You may want to count them. I have had people who passed out 40, 50 or up to 100 stones.” as told by Dr Lee. “Even if you don’t have any symptoms of gallstones, you still might have some. It’s always good to give your gall bladder a clean-up every now and then.”

by Dr Lai Chiu-Nan

this island is like tropical entertainment paradise LOMBOK

Heiya! After one semester filled with college assignments, papers, exams, and projects, finally the time has come for semester break! Woo hoo :D One month with exactly nothing to do…. Anyway on this posting and several postings later I’m gonna write about the trip I did last June-August to Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo, and Flores. But let’s just skip the Bali part shall we? It was the usual trip to Tanah Lot, Kuta, Ubud, Bedugul, Dreamland, Monkey Forest, etc.

Gili Terawangan
Anyway, we started the trip in Gili Terawangan, pretty much I didn’t do anything on my third time there *nyombong*. I just lay down under the sunny sunglight, blue sky, on the beach with crystal blue water, wind blowing gently, The Zahir on my lap (my favourite one of Coelho’s) and….. some bules with their bikinis and their perut yang tumpah ruah. Other times I just walked along the shoreline with my friends . Well as far as I can see, the island has developed with more hostels/motels/cottages, bars, and restaurants.

 More tourists ofcourse. My first time there I guess it was around 8 or 9 years ago and it was still like a pure private island. My second time there was 4 years ago, with more hotels and restaurants, bars, even mini cinema cafe. And now it has grown pretty developed. But apart from all the expensive restaurants, it’s not that hard to find cheap food here. They still have a spot for food stalls. And what I like from these islands is that motorbikes and cars are still not allowed on the road. You’ll find lots of bicycles for rent, or ‘delman’ along the pavements. That’s why the air is still fresh and unpolluted! :D But for you guys who are looking for a serene, tranquil place with less crowd then I wont recommend this island for you. At night you’ll hear the boom-boom-bass from the nearest bar and the crowd never sleeps until dawn. But last time I went there it was on late July during Ramadhan and all the noise stopped at 12. But during other months, this island is like tropical entertainment paradise, perfect for those who are seeking for a spot to meet up and hang around with other fellow travelers.

Lombok Airport to improve regional economic progress

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The new Lombok International Airport (BIL) in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is believed to be a driving force for both the national and regional economic progress.

The much awaited airport which has been in operation since October 1, 2011 was 20 days later dedicated by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Thursday.

On the occasion the head of state expressed optimism that the presence of the brand new aerodrome could improve economic progress in West Nusa Tenggara.


After delivering as short opening message, the head of state struck a drum and then signed an inscription to mark the inauguration of BIL, located at Tanak Awu village in Central Lombok district.

The airport inauguration ceremony was also enlivened with `Gendang Beleq Rembak` traditional dance and art performance.

President Yudhoyono after dedicating to airport also took a few minutes of his time to review its facilities and then planted a tembesi tree at the side of the 551.8-hectare aerodrome.

"Following the presence of this airport for the development of international tourism in this province, we hope the economy of the local people will get increasing," President Yudhoyono said.

In the company of First Lady Ani Yudhoyono, the head of state also said that to make the airport more competitive, its instruments and infrastructures should be immediately completed.

He also called for the improvement of safety and security factor at and around the airport, in addition to making its surrounding area green and lush.

"Make this airport surrounding area green and beautiful as soon as possible," the president said as he handed 10,000 trembesi trees to be planted around the airport.

Meanwhile, Governor Zainul Majdi reported that the mega project of BIL cost Rp 945.8 billion ($108 million) with PT Angkasa Pura-I shouldering Rp795.8 billion, West Nusa Tenggara provincial government Rp110 billion, and Central Lombok district government Rp40 billion.

According to the governor, the new Lombok airport has the runway of 2,750 meters and is capable to accommodate wide-body high capacity Airbus 330, Boeing 767 airliners as well as smaller aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus 319-320.

"We are proud and happy that the much awaited dedication of the airport by President Yudhoyono is finally realized today," the governor said.

Therefore he expressed hope that expressed hope that the new Lombok International Airport would help improve the economy of local community, especially those living around the airport.

On the occasion, the newly inaugurated Transportation Minister Mangindaan said he believed that the new Lombok International Airport would serve as one of the gateways for international community, especially foreign tourists.

"We believe this new airport will be the driving force of both the national and regional economic progress," the transportation minister said.

Magindaan said West Nusa Tenggara indeed required a new airport as it was driven by rapid economic growth and increased traffic movements, including tourism sector in the province.

"The new airport in Lombok is a gateway for foreign tourists movement in West Nusa Tenggara," Magindaan said, adding that the Lombok International Airport would replace Selaparang Airport in Mataram.

Although BIL has been in operation since October 1, 2011, and dedicated by President Yudhoyono on October 20, the safety and security problem at and around the airport was still in public spotlight.

Since the new international airport is located in Lombok Tengah District, district head Suhaili said he would encourage the local people to support the operation of the airport and to ensure security and stability around it.

"I will certainly continue to encourage the local people to help ensure security and stability around the new airport to make its operation a success," Suhaili said in Central Lombok recently.

He made the statement to counter the view of certain parties who have expressed misgivings about security around Lombok International Airport.

Suhaili asserted the security at and around the airport should absolutely be ensured because it will have a direct impact on regional development.

"We fully realize it, and that we will continue to maintain and ensure the security around the airport in an effort to take positive benefit from its existence," Suhaili noted.

Meanwhile, Central Lombok Deputy District Head Lalu Normal Suzana said that since the operation of BIL, many of prospective passengers and airport visitors have been complaining about the lack of security condition.

He noted that Central Lombok district government would continue to make every effort to address various issues of security problems around and at the airport but it should be very careful in order to avoid new problems from happening.

"In spite of the problems, we will continue to keep the airport activities running smoothly," Lalu Normal said.

Therefore he called on Central Lombok district government authority to continue to raise public awareness about maintaining security around the new airport.

"We continue to raise the awareness of people living around the newly-opened airport to maintain and ensure security," Lalu Normal noted.

Besides unscrupulous thuggery by the surrounding communities, feverish actions along the access road to the airport are still happening.

In connection with the security situation which has yet to be conducive at and around the airport, he said the local authority should try to make surrounding communities aware of the importance of the new international airport at their area.

He admitted that the security guarantee around the airport should absolutely be improved for all parties because it would have a direct impact on the progress of surrounding villages.

"We realize it, and will continue to strive to take the positive benefits of the new international airport. There is `multiplier effect` from the presence of such a big airport and that the people have to support it from various aspects," he said.

The Indonesian government is actively promoting both Lombok and neighboring Sumbawa in the province as Indonesia`s number two tourism destinations after Bali.
(Uu.O001/ H-NG)

Harmony in Lombok

  

Paradise on earth: A tourist dips her body into the water after sunbathing in Gili Trawangan.

With many disputes between religions and races in Indonesia lately, it seems like the national Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) slogan has been ripped off.

My adventure in Lombok shows that there is still hope to keep the spirit alive.

Lombok is an island across the strait from Bali, dwelled by Sasak and Balinese.

Locals and foreigners rub along very well in Gili Trawangan. It is a gili (Sasak’s word of small island) with most population among the other two Lombok’s north west gilis. Around an hour driving north from Lombok’s capital Mataram, you will get to Bangsal, a small harbour to jump off to Gili Trawangan.

The island’s natives, especially those who work in bars, resorts and hostels, speak not only quite good conversational English, but also French, Italian, Japanese, and Korean. This welcoming attitude of Trawangan people invites foreign sponsors investing there in alliance with locals. For instance “Tir Na Nog”, an Irish sports bar owned not only by an Irish, but also a local entrepreneur.

Scenery is not the only drawcard of the island. It seems like many foreign tourists, mostly female, are beguiled by the charm of the islanders. A neighborhood called Kampung Bule (foreigners’ village) is where those captivated tourists, mostly European and Japanese, reside and raise a family. Here you may find blond kids speaking Sasak instead of English.

Without a doubt, football is a people sport. The first ever Gili Trawangan Football Championship in March 2011 drew together locals and foreigners as players and supporters. Ahead of time I thought it would be improperly held. Then I saw players wearing jersey and football shoes, a referee and two linesmen in uniform, a game commentator, so therefore I knew I was wrong. They even played 2 x 45 minutes like a world cup game.

Gili Trawangan is a widely recognized holiday destination for its exquisite beach. White sand, clear and three colours water, enhanced with eclectic underwater, make your snorkel, surf or sunbath experience feel so right. Motor vehicles are not allowed on the island too, thus you can enjoy the fresh air and have a fun yet healthy holiday.

The name “Trawangan” is derived from the word terowongan (tunnel), since there is a historical cave tunnel in the island. The tunnel was set up by Indonesian forced labor to be used as a quarter for Japanese army in the World War II.

From the gloomy history of Gili Trawangan, the island has turned into a paradise now. It holds at least three parties a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night. If you visit the island mid-month when the moon is in its full round shape, local youth throw a Full Moon Party where all local DJs are brought together, plus a fireball man.

Partying is a new Trawangan culture. In 1999, investors of leisure business invited Italian DJ Roberto. Ever since locals learned from him, and now the island has eight local DJs. You don’t have to bring your urban party look to party in Gili Trawangan. Only some rules applied: no fighting, no gambling, no prostitutes and enjoy your cheap drinks!

Harmonious life also belongs to Moslems and Hindus in Lingsar Temple, as they worship together there. Even on a big day like Pujawali (worship day of walisanga / the nine ancient Moslem’s disseminators) and Tupat War (to ask prosperity and fertility), both believers celebrate together. To get to this place, you need an hour driving east from Mataram.

Sacred pool: A mystical pool called “kemalik” (shrine) which is guarded by Indonesia’s Garuda bird statue in Gili Trawangan, Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. People often throw a coin with the Garuda image into the pool to ask for a life partner.The Islamic belief breeding there is called Wektu Telu (three times) as they do the prayer only three times instead of normal Moslem’s five times prayers a day. According to the guide, this school is an imperfect form of Islam, which holds still Sasak’s animism.

Lingsar is derived from the word Ling means sound and Sar means water. The temple is indeed never out of flowing water sounds. A pool named Pesiraman (shower pool) pours the water from Mount Rinjani’s spring, which is believed to have a healing power. In order to shower there, you must put on white fabric and wear flowers.

Only steps away you can find a mystical pool called kemalik (shrine). The pool is guarded by Indonesia’s Garuda bird statue. A myth has it that a total of nine mystical tunas live there. People often throw a coin with the Garuda image into the pool to ask for a life partner. While if you throw an egg, a pawang (diviner) may invite a one meter tuna out from nowhere.

These two pools are located in a holy area, thus you need to put a yellow loincloth on before entering.

Welcoming at the temple’s entrance are the twin pools. These pools come up with exactly the same size, ornaments, and material.

Afore-time they were used by twin princesses Kosala and Kosali to bath.
TRAVEL TO LOMBOK

There are several ways to get to Lombok from Bali: airplane, speed boat, or the budget style I did, public ferry. However, I suggest you to go with a package shuttle bus and ferry since public transport is not widely available in Lombok. Crossing with a ferry takes you around four hours.

It is easy to find accommodation there. From Rp 60,000 (US$6) per night hostel to a million rupiah one is available. A simple tip is to arrive early so that you have options. If you are finding it hard, the people there will help you find a place to stay, including letting you stay overnight in their house, just like my friend did

Lombok gets its good name back

Pariama Hutasoit, Contributor, Senggigi, Lombok
Lombok has always been compared to Bali, as though it is the beautiful but neglected step-sister, the Cinderella of the Indonesian travel world.
Travel brochures breathlessly describe it as ""the way Bali used to be"", or ""From Lombok, we can see Bali, but from Bali we cannot see Lombok"", a reference to how the minority Hindu population on the island has also built some magnificent temples.
In a sense it does a disservice to this island, with its own unique attractions, because it has been forced to live in the shadow of its neighbor about 50 kilometers west.
Today, Lombok, once seemingly destined to rival Bali as the place to go in eastern Indonesia, has dealt with its own problems.
Lombok Island is home to the Sasak people, whose ancestors migrated to Lombok from the fallen Hindu Majapahit Empire of East Java at the end of the 14th century. Their language, ancient script, art, song and dance show their link with the Hindu/Buddhism cultures that dominated much of Indonesia before the arrival of Islam.
Distinct in language, dress and custom from their Balinese neighbors to the west and the Sumbawanese to the east, the Sasak are linked by history and culture to the ancient civilization of Java. Although strong followers of the Muslim faith, their arts are unique to them.
The Islamic Sasaks, most of whom are farmers, mingle harmoniously with Balinese Hindus in a mix that enhances the island's cultural and traditional attractions. Most of Sasak people of Lombok follow a brand of Islamic orthodoxy professed by traditional teacher, which is known as ""Tuan Guru"".
Others follow the syncretism tradition of ""Wetu Telu"". Instead of praying five times a day as a Muslim usually does, they pray only three times a day, and have a cosmology influenced by Hinduism. There is even a temple in Lingsar where people from Hindu and Islamic traditions meet for common prayer.
The Lombok Strait is one of the most important lines of geographical division in the world. This turbulent strait, that separates the island from Lombok, that Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913), the esteemed English naturalist, drew what has become known in evolutionary science as The Wallace Line or Wallace's Line.
This line marks the center of a transition and evolutionary zone where the lands, flora and fauna of subtropical Southeast Asia make a sudden and quite dramatic transition into the earth, plants and animals typical of Australasia.
In Bali we have barbets, fruit-thrushes and woodpeckers; on passing over to Lombok these are seen no more, but we have an abundance of cockatoos, honeysuckers and brush-turkeys, which are equally unknown in Bali, or any island further west.
The strait here is 15 miles wide, so that we may pass in only two hours from great division of the earth to another, differing as essentially in their animal life as Europe does from America.
This island, which measures about 80 kilometers north to south and about 70 kilometers east to west, is also a much drier and tougher island than generally verdant Bali. This is what led Lombok Island to its own name in the Sasak language: ""Bumi Gora"" meaning ""The Dry Farmland"".
The uniqueness and strategic location of Lombok has provided it with an advantageous position in the development of local tourism. Since 1986, the government of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) emphasized tourism as the main priority of development, particularly on Lombok.
At the same time, the growth of NTB tourism underwent rapid development, averaging about 30 percent in the period 1986-1996. In 1989 the government identified 15 potential areas to be developed in NTB, nine on Lombok Island -- Sire, Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, Senggigi, Suranadi, Gili Gede, Kuta, Seger -- and six on Sumbawa Island.
All the plans started to come asunder when the economic crisis and unrest hit the country. The situation worsened when a riot broke out on Jan. 17, 2000, in Mataram and West Lombok after a religious rally.
Overnight, Lombok became tarred with the stigma of an ""unsafe"" tourist destination, a place to travel at your own risk. Several embassies issued travel warnings, and the one from Japan remains in effect.
Visitor numbers plummeted. In 1997 there 245,049 foreign visitors, which fell to 168,727 in 1998, 144,953 in 1999 and 126,364 in 2000.
The fallout from the World Trade Center attacks in September 2001 led to the threat of a ""sweep"" of foreigners in Indonesia if the U.S. attacked Afghanistan in its search for Osama bin Laden.
The NTB authorities, knowing the potential for another blow to tourism, did their utmost to reassure visitors and potential tourists, particularly in major markets like Germany, that they would assure their safety.
NTB Governor Harun Al Rasyid recently stated that the decline of tourist development caused great hardship to the economy of the province, since the sector is the second biggest employer after agriculture but carries higher economic value. It has also led to the expansion of other industries, such as handicrafts.
""Nowadays, Lombok is safe enough and there is no reason to be scared to go to this island,"" he said.
""After the tragedy (2000 riots), we then contacted the traditional teachers to give an explanation. The community and the teachers stated their deep regret about the tragedy and they realized that it brought lots of disadvantages. Therefore, we are optimistic that tourism in NTB will be promising in the future.""
After years when hotel occupancy rates crashed, there is also hope from that sector that visitors are on their way back.
""I'm reasonably optimistic. I am very confident, and we just need some time,"" general manager of Novotel Corolia Lombok, Stephane Fagez, said.

Two nights in Lombok

White sand beaches, bright blue skies, traditional architecture and local delicacies are what you expect from this island.
 
white sand and fewer tourists.(JP/Tifa Asrianti)
Transquility: Kuta beach of Lombok offers 
Are you imagining Bali? Perhaps you should start thinking about Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara as an island that offers different adventures with the same beautiful attractions that Bali does.

Lombok is different from Bali. It has a different type of beach, a different language and, of course, different cuisine for you to savor.

Recently, I had a chance to travel around the northern and southern parts of Lombok. The reliability of public transport in Lombok is as poor as it is in Bali, so be prepared to rent a motorcycle or a car for long trips, especially if visiting remote places is included in your itinerary.

As for a fun short trip around the city of Mataram and Senggigi, you can take a cidomo, a small horse-drawn cart, a traditional yet environmentally friendly form of public transportation.

On my first day, I visited Narmada Park in Narmada district, a popular tourist destination. King Mataram Lombok, Anak Agung Ngurah Karang Asem, built the park in 1727, hoping to recreate Mount Rinjani in miniature.

A number of pools and a Hindu temple were built in the park, but the most interesting part of the site is probably the Youth Fountain.

The Youth Fountain is nothing like the one in the Pirates of the Caribbean. It is a strong stream of flowing water located in a small hut that is guarded by a Hindu priest.

People in Lombok believe that the water has essential minerals that are good for your body and – believe it or not – keep you young. Local wisdom forbids women who are menstruating from entering the hut.

The priest prayed for a while as we sat on the high floor. After finishing the prayer, he allowed two of us to go down the small fountain, pray shortly, wash our faces and drink a glass of water.

The water was cold and fresh, washing away all the thirst that previously struck me before entering the hut.

Pristine: Selong Belanak beach seen from a hill nearby reveals a refreshing azure water and greeneries. (JP/Tifa Asrianti)We went to northern Lombok on our second day, leaving our hotel in Senggigi. After passing Kekait village, we went through a narrow and hilly road, going to the top of a hill to reach a tourist spot called Puncak Pusuk (Pusuk Point) in Pemenang village, known for its scenery and wild monkeys. The area has two mountains, Pusu, to the east and Duduk, to the west.

We climbed many stairs to reach the top of the place and enjoyed beautiful natural scenery while eating durian, drinking local coffee and eating boiled melinjo (oats) and sweet potatoes.

Durian can be as expensive as Rp 75,000 (US$8.20) or as cheap as Rp 25,000, depending on the season. The best time to visit Pusuk to enjoy durian is between June and August.

After passing Pemenang, the road was flat. We enjoyed mountainous scenery and peanut fields on our right and the blue sea and coconut trees to our left.

The small road along the way was quiet and smooth as there were not many vehicles. We passed several small villages, including Kayangan and Bayan. The houses had modern architecture that was very different from the traditional houses of Lombok.

However, every house had a bale bengong or gazebo where people would sit, talk, watch their children or dry their clothes.

Our main destination was Pondok Senaru (Senaru cottage), a hilltop restaurant. We were excited because we thought we could enjoy Sindang Gile waterfall as the main scenery. The restaurant was nice, and had two ways for diners to enjoy their food — tables and gazebos.

We ate in two big gazebos in the backyard. Adi, our waiter, asked whether we would eat Sasak style, which was called begibung, in which three people would sit around and eat together.

The Sasak are the indigenous people of Lombok. Adi said Sasak women usually wore sarongs while men sported sapuk small head cloths.

“A sapuk is worn in order to give good and orderly impression,” he said.
Men with sapuk. JP/Indah Setiawati
We ate traditional food from Lombok: plecing kangkung (water spinach and bean sprouts with chili sauce), sate lilit and ayam taliwang (spicy grilled chicken).

The Sindang Gile waterfall might be a majestic 50-meter high waterfall, but it turned out that it was located too far away from the restaurant. It appeared like a small stream of water going out from the hills.

On the way back to Senggigi, we dropped by Sira beach. The beach was surrounded by coconut trees and did not look appealing as green leaves and seaweed were scattered around during low tide.

However, numerous local people got their hands dirty by walking on the beach, hunting for something, picking it up and putting them in plastic bags.

Suberiah, a local woman who had just came back from the beach, said people were ngeremis, or collecting clams to cook.

“They are delicious. I usually boil them with a pinch of salt and some ingredients for our family dinner,” she said while proudly showing a small black plastic bag full of clams.

We headed to Malimbu cliff, a highland area near Senggigi, to watch the sunset and eat grilled corn. The sunset was especially awesome as we could see majestic Mount Agung in Bali and the three small famous Gili islands.

On our third day, we went to the southern part of Lombok, visiting only one main destination – Kuta Beach, famous for its grainy white sand and clear blue skies.

The children who sold souvenirs were annoying as they tailed us around, but the beauty of the beach satisfied us.

Three days were not enough to enjoy Lombok, which offered Mount Rinjani and other destinations to explore. At least, those few days assured me that Lombok was an island worth a visit.

How to reach Mataram in Lombok:

Selaparang airport in Mataram handles international arrivals and offers visas on arrival. Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air and Batavia Air have direct flights from Jakarta to Mataram, while Merpati Nusantara, Trans Nusa and Wings Air have direct flights from Denpasar to Mataram. Silk Air also offers a direct flight from Singapore to Mataram.

Accommodation:

There are many hotels and resorts in Senggigi. Low-cost hostels are available in the capital city of Mataram.

President To Meet Malaysian PM In Lombok Oct 20

Mataram (Antara Bali) - The West Nusatenggara (NTB) provincial government has started preparing the venue and other matters of a meeting scheduled to take place between President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and  Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak next October 20 in Lombok Island.

"We have begun making all the necessary preparations because we have received official confirmation that the special meeting between the Indonesian and Malaysian leaders is to be held in Lombok Island on Ocober 20,"  H Lalu Moh Faozal, spokesman of the NTB provincial administration, said here Thursday.

The Malaysian premier was expected to arrive at Lombok Island by a special plane straight from Kuala Lumpur at noon on Thursday (Oct 20) and his meeting with the Indonesian president would be held in the evening of the same day. Najib would return to Malaysia the next day, Friday.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would be in Lombok Island  October 19-21. Apart from meeting Najib, Yudhoyono would also attend to other matters in Lombok Island.

He would officially inaugurate Mataram's new airport named Lombok International Airport (BIL) which started operating last October 1, and officiate at a groundbreaking ceremony for NTB's newest tourism project,  the Manadalika Resort.

Faozal said the special meeting with the Malaysian premier would staged at the Novtel Hotel in the Mandalika Resort, Central Lombok district, about 70 km south of Mataram but only 30 km from Lombok International Airport.(*)