Lombok Indonesia

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Lombok The Hidden Paradise Indonesia
Lombok Island is only a short ferry ride from Bali around 3 hours.
 The island lies across the straits from Bali and quickly reached by 
ferry or plane. Many say that Lombok is like Bali long time ago.Lombok Island is only a short ferry ride from Bali around 3 hours. The island lies across the straits from Bali and quickly reached by ferry or plane. Many say that Lombok is like Bali long time ago. Lombok Island is a tropical paradise with magnificent view stretches from natural beach, excellent diving and snorkeling off the three coral ringed, great crater with High Mountain and traditional native village, ancient temples and palaces
Lombok is about three-quarter the size of Bali and is estimated to have approximately 3 million inhabitants making it slightly more densely populated than Bali. Traveling in Lombok is much more relaxed than Bali but once you get out the main of tourist sections, it is not as well maintained. In Lombok you can found traditional vehicles that called Cidomo (horse drawn cart)
Mataram and the Dutch influenced Ampenan are bustling little town, approximately 90% of the population is Sasak with the majority of the remaining 10% claiming Balinese lineage. The Sasaks are Moslem there are still evidence of Hindu and Wetu Telu an animistic faith that has incorporated some aspects of Islam into its practice.
The Sasaks people are much more conservative by culture than and not as open as their more famous Balinese neighbors and fare poorly in comparison. This may be due in part to the lack of interaction with visitors but whatever reason pay no mind the more you learn about Lombok, the more you’ll appreciate the people and the friendlier the seem to become. People in Lombok are not as inclusive by nature as the Balinese and it takes more time to get to know them. Be respectful.

Gilli Air, Gili Meno and Gili TrawanganThe Geography of Lombok Island 

Lombok is Indonesia's new in destination with more than 100,000 foreign tourist annually. Lombok's area and population 4.740 square kilometers and 2.3 million people- are both just slightly smaller than Bali's. Some 85.000 Balinese live in west Lombok, decendants of 18th  century invaders. Lombok's Balinese maintain a network of temples and rituals.
But the native of Lombok's the Sasaks are muslims, and their art and religius life are quite disticnt. One group hold to a mixture of religion and culture calles Islam Watu Telu "Three Times Islam"  The island. about 80 kilometers north-south and 70 km east-west, is dominated by Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia highest volcanoe and the second highest point in the archipelago. Lombok is famous for its ikat cloth, pottery and basket weaving. Most foreign visitor come to the west coast beach resort of Senggigi, the "three Gilis" with some discovering Kuta Beach and Ekas bay to the south. A well-maintained road connect Lombok's three district: west Central and East. The rainy season is October to March. 

Lombok Places of Attractions
Senggigi beach LombokSenggigi Beach. north from Ampenan, the road rises over gentle hills and then drop down to the coast at along . curved beach, with a panoramic view of splendid coconut groves and colorful catamarans. Fishermen set out at sunset in a long line, ther lamps forming a beatiful display.

From Lembar ferry terminal, Mabua charter minibuses run to Senggigi, and bemos along Saleh Sungkar road in Ampenan charge a modest fare. Rows of hotels grow by the month along the 20 kilometers from Batubolong to Pamenang.
 
Simple accomdations mingle with luxury resorts; the center of the area is always crowded and further north it is more pleasant and peaceful. Senggigi Beach hotel is the oldest luxury hotel with Senggigi Palace Hotel to the south, and Park Royal Hotel, Holiday Inn and Patra Jasa Hotel further north. The Oberoi Hotel is located at Oberoi Beach.
Pura Batubolong, The "Holed Stone" is a Balinese temple atop sea cliffs next to Senggigi, Offering good view of Bali's Mt Agung at Sunset. The Gilis island LombokGili Islands. Three islands (gili in Sasak) off the northwest coast rate with Senggigi as Lombok's most popular tourist destination, with a wonderful view of Mt Rinjani to the east. From July to September, lots of tourist come for the white sandy beaches. Inexpensive bungalows and clear waters for snorkelling.

Bugis migrants from South Sulawesi have intermariried with local Sasaks and their main activities are coconut growing, fishing and cattle raising. Take a public minibus from Mataram 20 kilometers northwards to Pemenang. Along the road, Sidemen is famous for red palm sugar. the road drops down to Pamenang pas bands of monkeys expecting handouts. A 1,5 km road leads to Bangsal harbour, accesed by public bemos or by hired car. From Bangsal passanger boat run from early morning to late afternoon. A charter boat takes 20-45 mins to look at all three islands.  Travel agencies and diving centers organize all-in snorkelling day tours. In the high season it is almost impossible to get a room after 10 am.

Bungalows on stils have simple bamboo furniture, dining facilities, mosquito nets and toilets are available. Gili Islands, western tourism is the industry name for an archipelago of three small islands - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air - just off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia. The islands are a popular destination for Western tourists looking for a remote island experience. Each island has several resorts very small, usually consisting of a small collection of huts for tourists, and a restaurant. Most local inhabitants live on Trawangan in a Township stretching along its east side just Inland (which is also where most recent development is taking place).

Automobiles and motorized traffic are prohibited on the islands by local Ordinance, so the preferred method of transportation is bicycle or the horse-drawn carriage called a Cidomo. Diving in and around the Gilis is also popular due to the Abundance of fish life and coral formations attractive. The name "Gili Islands" is a misnomer, because Gili simply means "small island" in Sasak. As a result most of the islands around the coast of Lombok Gili have in their names, although confusion is averted by referring (in Indonesia) to the other around the Lombok Gilis coast by their proper names only. Gilli Air, Gili Meno and Gili TrawanganGili Air 1000 people mostly live in the south of this 100+ ha island. the waters are crystal clear, but snorkelling is marred by limited fish and seasonal stinging jellyfish.

Best sunbathing and snorkelling area are next to Boroang Scuba shop. At the reef;s edge the coral slopes down to the 14-20 meter bottom. The west coast is barren, although you might see a school of Napeoleon wrasse. The island has a small bare bones clinic Gili Meno Only few people live here and there are the fewest losmen as well, Just island from the west coasth is a large salt lake. The best snorkelling is off the northeast coast. famous for blue corral and clouds of colorful fish. Gili Trawangan Gili Trawangan is the largest of the three small islands or dyke located at the northwest Lombok. Trawangan is also the only dike that height above sea level is significant. With a length of 3 km and 2 km wide, Trawangan population of about 800 inhabitants. Among the three Gillis, Trawangan has facilities for tourists of the most diverse; shop "Tir Na Nog" claiming that Trawangan is the smallest island in the world is his Irish bar. The most densely populated parts of the island's east. Trawangan has nuances of "party" more than Gili Meno and Gili Air, because of the many parties all night every night of the show rotated by some places the crowd. Popular activities conducted in Trawangan tourists are scuba diving (with PADI certified), snorkeling (in the northeast coast), play like, and surfing. There are also several places for tourists learn to ride around the island.

On Gili Trawangan (as well as in two other earthen), there are no motor vehicles, because it is not permitted by local regulations. A common means of transportation are bicycles (rented by locals to tourists) and Cidomo, a simple horse-drawn carriage common in Lombok. To travel to and from the third gillis, people usually use motorized boats and speedboat. History of Gili Trawangan Gili Trawangan island was formerly been made prisoners. At that time, because all the prisons are full, a king who was ruling throwing 350 people to the Sasak rebel island. Only around the year 1970 the population visited the island of Sulawesi, which later settled here

Lombok's Gili islands make the perfect getaway
Gillis LombokIt is said that if you want to know what Bali was like 20 years ago, then you should go to Lombok.
Much more laid back than its larger sister 45 km to the west, Lombok is a great antidote to the commercial excesses of Bali, where on some beaches at least, there now seem to be more hawkers than tourists and a moment's peace is as rare as a reasonably priced can of soda.


Many travelers visiting Lombok for the first time head for the wonderful Gili islands -- three coral ringed islands off the northwest coast of Lombok. Here there are dazzling white sand beaches that outdo Bali, with crystal clear aquamarine waters to boot.

The furthest of the islands from the mainland, Gili Trawangan, is also the largest of the three. Even so, it still takes less than three hours to walk around the whole island.
In a wise move, the authorities have taken the decision to ban cars and motorcycles from the islands, thus making for a much more relaxing stay. Instead there are cidomo -- a sort of horse and carriage. Although quite inexpensive to get around in, make sure you bargain before you accept the ride else you may be overcharged. Bicycles are also available for rent at around Rp 30,000 per day, but the going can get tough as the tracks around the island are very sandy in parts.

While Gili Trawangan has picked up the reputation of being something of a party island, you will be sorely disappointed if you come here expecting Goa style beach raves. In fact, despite a few low-key ""parties"" which are occasionally held by divers congregating at the Blue Marlin dive center, Gili Trawangan is so laid back it is virtually horizontal. And long may it remain that way.

There are plenty of inexpensive accommodations and eateries on Gili Trawangan, especially in the main strip toward the south of the island. Here you can find cozy bars and romantic candlelit restaurants, some of which have slightly raised dining areas where you can eat your meal at leisure as you stretch out your legs and rest on soft cushions.

Besides the usual Western fare, gado gado (vegetables in peanut sauce) and nasi goreng (fried rice) are also on the menu. For those unable to shut themselves off from the outside world, access to the World Wide Web is possible at the ubiquitous Internet cafes that have now set up shop.

Most of the accommodations on the island are of the simple bamboo hut variety, but better quality places to stay are springing up all the time, complete with hot water, air conditioning and satellite TV. But be warned: if you have sensitive skin and do not relish the prospect of seawater showers (fresh water is a rare commodity here and has to be brought in from mainland Lombok), your only option may be to stay at the island's upmarket resort hotel, Hotel Vila Ombak. 
 
If it is solitude you are looking for, then head to the north of the island, where you are unlikely to be troubled by anyone. Days can pass by very quickly here as you relax in a hammock strung between two palm trees swaying in the gentle sea breeze.

The three Gili islands are still excellent for snorkeling despite the devastation wreaked by the El Nino weather phenomenon in 1998. Some 90 percent of the hard corals around the islands down to 20 meters suffered badly at the time from bleaching and are still recovering.

While you can snorkel directly from the beach, a good deal is to join the daily snorkeling tour at the very reasonable rate of Rp 35,000 per person. As the boat has a glass bottom, those unable to snorkel, such as young kids, can also have the opportunity to see a wide array of beautiful multicolored tropical fish and, if lucky, even the odd turtle. A tip here: bring your own snorkeling gear as the quality of the stuff available for hire leaves much to be desired. 

When you need a break from the snorkeling, the sugary white beaches are a perfect place for relaxation and sunbathing. The few hawkers that ply their trade here are much less aggressive than in Bali, and when they realize you don't want what they are selling they quickly get the message. If the blazing tropical sun becomes too much to bear, shelter can be found under the palm trees that conveniently line the beaches.

If the weather is good -- which it usually is -- beautiful red sunsets can be seen, with the sun setting in the west over Mount Agung, Bali. Either head for Gili Trawangan's northern coast else climb the island's 100-meter-high hill (going up here is the only time you are likely to venture into the island's interior during your stay). 
As for Gili Air and Gili Meno, they are even quieter than Gili Trawangan. Accommodations and restaurants are basic, but then that's part of the charm. If you need more facilities, it's more convenient to stay on Gili Trawangan and make day trips to these two islands. 

Lombok Landmarks and Museums
Mataram is the capital of West of Nusatenggara Province with its famous landmark, Pura Meru Temple in Cakranegara city. Another of Balinese origin is the famous Taman Narmada, the place to worship Shiwa. Narmada is historical place that use to be a palace fo Anak Agung Gede Ngurah, one of Balinese King which was built in 1805. here you see the miniature of mount Rinjani and Segara Anak Lake with a holy temple of the top. You can see another temple like Pura Lingsar and Pura Suranadi

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