Saifana, An Organic Farm in Deserted Area of North Lombok

SAIFANA ORGANIC FARM: AN OASIS IN  DRY LAND OF NORTH OF LOMBOK

I found this small haven when I had a visit to Sambik Elen Village, one of the targeted villages for the Recovery Program of Comunity Infrastructure and Livelihood. The Head of Village, Mr Nuriadi recommended this place as accommodation for our assessment team. I look for the information about this village on their website in https://www.saifana-lombok.com/. I finally get in touch with William, the son-in-law of the owner of the guest stay, Sophie and Sutikno. 

Me with Pak Sutikno, owner of Saifana, comes from Malang with a background working in humanitarian and development intl agencies

There were 8 of us in the team, yet due to fully occupied, we only got 2 rooms. Some of the staff have to sleep in Berugak, a traditional open-air structure made from woods or bamboo to relax. The bungalow room that we got the same with the others, they are made from bamboo and a traditional look-alike house. 

Safira Bungalow

The bungalow is using a solar panel for its electricity, which is only operated from 6 PM to 6 AM. There is no air conditioner inside the room, but it is airy since there are plenty of windows that are opened for the fresh air. Inside the bungalow, the bathroom is quite large with a shower, seated toilet, and sink. There are handwash soap, shampoo, and body wash that are available in the bathroom. What I love most is the scent of the body wash with hints of vanilla and musk. The bedding is completed with the mosquito net, yet there are no mosquitos inside the room. 

I was lucky enough that our bungalow is across the meeting venue or reading spot. You can find a lot of storybooks and game boards in this spot. I came here bringing my laptop and has a quiet and silence environment that enables me to focus on my works.

In the morning, I had the opportunity to stroll around the guesthouse. they are right in naming this place as an organic farm because most of their land is planted with a different kind of consummate plants, such as veggies (spinach, celery, chili, etc), fruits (tomato, etc), flowers (frangipani, rosella, etc). They use these plants as ingredients for their foods and some are being processed, packaged, and sold to the guest, like jams and cashew nut. When we stayed there, we had pancakes that served with homemade jams (rosella, pineapple, peanuts, and marmalade?), pandan roll, and fried rice for the breakfasts that were served with teas and their homemade coffee (expresso and coffee latte). Their coffees have low acidity but the taste just made you want to order more :) because they are subtle, and smooth with no bitter after taste. 

Assessment Team of UNDP with Mademoiselle Sophie e Monsier Sutikno

Besides our open dining room space, there are some beach sofas that are provided with a white big screen. I assume they have a movie night program. In some spots, they put signboards with wise words and English-Indonesia Vocabulary Lists. 

In overall, I found that it was satisfying to stay in this place, it would also a good place to stay a night or two with your kids and family. The cost for a night is IDR 350,000 or around 35 USD, include breakfast. Mr Sutikno and his family is not just a humanist, but also environment activist and agronomist. It is proven through its weekly trash-collecting program in supporting the NTB Government Program on Zero Waste. Salute for Mr Sutikno and his family in preserving the environment in North Lombok area.  I would give 8,5/9 out of 10 for this guest house.

Bayan Trash Hero Program of Saifana