Indonesia. What to see on the island of Lombok
– an ideal place for a secluded holiday and exciting diving.
Lombok is called the little brother of Bali. Until recently, tourists came from there mainly on excursions. After the opening of the international airport, getting to Lombok became much easier and the number of vacationers increased significantly. Tourist infrastructure is gradually developing. Compared to Bali, there are much fewer tourists here, but the holiday is more calm, secluded and exotic.
Lombok is located in the Malay Archipelago and administratively belongs to Indonesia. Lombok is located between two islands - to the west of it is the island. Bali, from the east - the island of Sumbawa in Indonesia. Lombok is slightly smaller in area than Bali. The population of the island is 3 million inhabitants, the capital is Mataram.
How to get there
A few years ago, it was possible to get to Lombok only from the island of Bali. After the discovery of the international Airport Bandara International Lombok, tourists have the opportunity to use direct international flights connecting Lombok with Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Domestic flights The airport accepts flights from the islands of Java and Bali.
There are up to eight flights a day from Bali to Lombok, but it is extremely difficult to buy tickets online in advance. Therefore, it is better to purchase them in Bali at the airport or travel agency. The flight takes 25 minutes. From the new airport Shuttle Buses go to the city of Mataram and to the resort of Senggigi. A taxi ride is much more comfortable, but will cost five times more. All official taxis are equipped with meters. Boarding a taxi is carried out after paying a service fee at the airport ticket office.
You can also get to the island from Bali by ferry. Compared to air travel, the ferry option is almost 10 times cheaper. Ferries depart around the clock every hour, the journey time is about five hours. At bad weather flights are cancelled. Ferries run from Padang Bai pier (Bali) to Lembar pier (Lombok). From Lembar you can take a taxi to Mataram or Senggigi.
The best way to get around the island is by minibus taxis, which are called Bemo here. On such passenger buses You can also make intercity trips for a small fee. It is possible to rent this transport, which is beneficial for tourists traveling in a group. An ordinary taxi will cost more and cannot be found everywhere. In tourist areas, it is common to rent a car or motorcycle.
general information
The northeastern part of the island is mountainous and is home to the Rinjani volcano. The south is dominated by limestone plateaus, covered in places by hills. There are very beautiful landscapes here - deserted roads run through green hills, clean beaches, quiet bays. Tourist infrastructure is developed in the western part of the island - in the area of the Senggigi resort, where beach holiday, and on south coast– in Kuta (not to be confused with the Kuta resort in Bali), a favorite place for surfers. In general, Lombok is more suitable for lovers of wild tourism. By car or bike you can travel along deserted roads, visiting secluded exotic places.
Senggigi is a resort town located along the coastal route. There are all possibilities for relaxation - hotels, expensive and cheap, cafes, restaurants. The main entertainment here is a relaxing holiday on the beach, massage, snorkeling.
Kuta Beach is attractive for surfing. Although there are few hotels and only a few cafes, there is a surf school and rental of surfing equipment. Many tourists rent a scooter to get around the resort. The largest hotel in Kuta is Novotel, which has 2 restaurants, a spa center, an indoor beach, and outdoor swimming pools.
Weather
The climate on the island of Lombok is tropical and hot throughout the year. Tourist season continues year-round, but its peak occurs from March to August. The rainy season lasts from October to April. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in December and January. The driest months are July and August. The average annual air temperature is 28-29 °C, water temperature is 27-30 °C. In the northern mountainous regions it is noticeably colder than on the coast.
Attractions
The island of Lombok has plenty of attractions, both natural and man-made. Although they are quite modest, they have not yet been promoted, “untapped” by numerous tourist groups. You can get to local attractions by taxi or rented transport. The most convenient and cheap option– join one of group excursions. If you decide to travel on your own, you can order an experienced guide from a travel agency.
Mount Rinjani volcano is the most significant landmark of the island. Not many people can boast that they have visited the crater of a volcano. When in Lambok, it's hard to resist traveling to Mt. Although it has gentle slopes, the height is quite impressive - 3726 m, so the climb takes a whole day. Anyone can master it healthy person, but traveling alone is not recommended.
Volcano Rinjani
Trekking group trips with porters and a guide are organized for two to three days. By paying $100–200, tourists receive accompanying persons, food, tents, and sleeping bags. In the crater of the volcano there is a huge lake where you can swim. Having rested and admired unique species those who wish to climb highest point mountains.
Gili Islands – another attraction located near the coast of Lombok. Three of them - Meno, Air and Trawangan - are the most popular. The tourist infrastructure here is quite developed: there are hotels of different price categories and several diving clubs.
Gili Islands
Holidays on the Gili Islands are a great opportunity to sunbathe on clean sandy beaches or go snorkeling and diving. The largest of them is Trawangan , most populated by tourists, it is a party place. Lovers of diving among corals come here.
On about. Meno , on the contrary, it is quiet and calm. There are hotels here, but not very many, and all entertainment is concentrated only on their territory. The beaches are beautiful and clean, but there are fragments of coral in the water. Meno – appropriate place for people who want to be in solitude on a deserted island.
Eyre is the smallest and greenest of the three islands. There are many local residents, there are bars and restaurants. The shore and water are clean. Perfect place for those who want to sunbathe and swim, but boring for partygoers.
Narmada Water Park , built at the beginning of the 19th century by one of the local kings, it was used by members of the royal family for recreation. There is a Hindu temple, a swimming pool, springs clean water, lakes. The park is beautiful and cozy, the area is carefully cleaned.
Mayura Water Palace – witness to the history of the island. At the end of the 19th century, a fierce battle took place on the territory of the palace between the Balinese and the Dutch, as a result of which the palace was damaged. Statues, cannons, and altars installed around the lake remind local residents of distant battles for independence.
Pura Meru – Hindu temple built in 1720. Believers are invited to the ceremony by beating large drums located on its premises.
Pura Lingsar – a temple complex consisting of two temples - Hindu and Islamic.
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Northern part of Lombok island (black beaches)
The next cluster of hotels begins near the black beach after the village of Sambelia.
Near it there are two more islands of the Gili archipelago: Gili Awang and Gili Sulat, but there is no regular transport on them, you need to look for a boatman and pay him a lot of money.
There were no cafes in the area, so we ordered food from the homestay owners (the portions are huge and very cheap!).
Kuta Lombok and surrounding beaches
We spent the night in Kuta. Lombok has its own Kuta and she is too surfer resort, like Balinese Kuta, only there are many times fewer surfers here, and the atmosphere is much more calm and relaxed and prices are lower than in Bali.
Previously, booking.com had very few hotels in Kuta Lombok, you had to go to homestays and find out about room availability and prices, but now the situation has changed - there are already more than 500 offers for every taste and budget, from simple guesthouses to luxury resorts.
There are several near Kuta Lombok beaches. We were at low tide (it was 8 am), the water level dropped by three meters, a very interesting sight.
A local fisherman said that at 10 o'clock the water would rise. Please note that the fisherman from a remote village on a remote island speaks English :) In Kuta itself, the water rose already at 9.
In the city of Kuta Lombok, the beach is free, but on other beaches there are boys who demand 5,000 rupees for entry.
On Pantai Seger beach we drove back 50 meters and passed through the restaurant for free.
On Pantai Tanjung Ann beach They said that we would just have a look and weren’t going to swim, and they let us through. We took a few photos, on the way out they told us something about the photo, but we just left, no one rushed to catch up with us.
In principle, 5000 rupees is not a lot of money ($0.4), but it’s not at all clear what to pay for. There is garbage lying around, there are no toilets, showers or changing rooms, especially since the road leading to the beaches is broken.
At low tide the spectacle is surreal, the sea recedes 200-300 meters, and somewhere in the distance waves splash.
Interesting sand that looks like beads.
While the tide is low, people go catch fish with nets.
And finally, the panorama.
Tidal times vary; see surf-forecast.com for the current schedule and wave availability.
Lombok: how to get there
The distance between Bali and Lombok is only 35 km across the strait. There are 120 km between airports.
There are 3 ways to get from Bali to Lombok:
1. Speedboat. Fast, expensive, without a bike. Prices reach up to 1,200,000 rupees ($100) round trip for 1 passenger. During the auction, we were already offered 500,000 rupees ($42).
2. Ferry. Slow, very cheap, with a bike. We paid 125,000 rupees ($10) for the two of us plus the bike. A ticket for one foot passenger cost 40,000 rupees.
3. Airplane. Fast, comfortable, price from 13 dollars one way.
Ferry Bali-Lombok
Since Lombok Island is located east of Bali, ferries depart there from Padangbai Bay. In theory, they run around the clock every hour, in practice we were able to leave at 10 am, loading began around 9.30. Before this, some cargo ferries came and went.
Some of the bikes arrive first and cluster closer to the walls and in all sorts of niches. The rest of the space is taken up by trucks, cars, buses, etc. Our bike got a little scratched in transit, so it's best to park it as close to the wall as possible, ideally in some kind of alcove, because trucks and buses pack very tightly. At the end of loading, more bikes move into the vacated space.
At the entrance to the port of Padangbai, our documents for the bike and license were checked. At the exit from Padangbai, everyone was checked, and we were told to go.
In principle, in Lombok there are no such traffic jams as in Bali, so it will be convenient there even with a car.
Before leaving for the ferry, crowds of merchants, musicians, and beggars filter in, but then it becomes freer.
It's better to sit outside. The speed is such that there is no wind, there is a shadow. And they smoke inside: (Some ferries have a room for lying down. There is a conditionally soft and conditionally clean floor and smoking is prohibited, but it is difficult to find a place, you need to immediately run to take it.
On the ferry we met a Spanish girl from Barcelona who lives and works at . We practiced Spanish with her :)
The rolling was slight and only in a few areas. You can work on your laptop or read. There are no sockets.
We drove for almost 5 hours. That is, if you want to catch the boats to Gili from this ferry (the last one is at 17), then you need to go straight away, without lunch in a cafe and long-term photographing of the landscapes. The return trip took the same amount of time, but then we hung out in Padangbai Bay for 1.5 hours, waiting for something.
Some food and water are sold on the ferry, but 3-4 times more expensive than in stores. Considering that everyone around is chewing something, it’s impossible not to get hungry.
First ferry. Not ours, eh!
We're first in line. The moped is still clean and doesn’t know where we’ll go with it. We too, there are only route outlines :)
The truck was almost propped up on the roof of the ferry. And to squeeze through to the door leading to the deck, you need to crawl through the gap between the truck with green bananas (on the left) and the wall. If someone fat didn’t have time to get through before the cars and buses were loaded, then at least ride in the hold.
Already launched faster and more comfortable ferries from Bali to Lombok.
See schedules and ticket prices at. There are also reviews from tourists and ratings of carriers.
Flights to Lombok
A flight from Denpasar Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS, Bali) to Lombok takes only 20-30 minutes and costs from $13 one way.
To find cheap flights, I usually compare prices using several aggregators. They all have the same principle - they search for tickets in the databases of hundreds of airlines, but their databases may differ, so the price will be better in one or the other - check everything at once.
- - incredibly flexible search, and there is a guarantee of a connection, even if you are flying low-cost airlines and the first flight is delayed!
- - best prices for tickets from Russia and Kazakhstan, convenient calendar low prices.
- - there are people here good prices for tickets from Ukraine.
By the way, KIWI gives 20 euro coupons for air tickets to new users, but they can only be received by email. If anyone needs it, I can send you an invitation.
Get 20€ on kiwi.com ➜Calendar of low prices for air tickets:
Transport around the island
Lombok by motorcycle/moped
We brought our bike to Lombok from Bali by ferry, but you can also rent it locally: at the airport, Senggigi or Kuta.
Motorcycle travel insurance
Regular policies do not cover motorcycles and mopeds. Separate sports insurance is required. The best option- this is to buy an insurance policy from for active days - this is international insurance, it is issued online, even if you are already traveling, and covers motorcycle riding.
Car rental in Lombok
There is almost no traffic in Lombok, there are no traffic jams, the traffic is relaxed, the locals drive normally, so it should be fine here even by car. There are a lot of trucks and horse-drawn vehicles. The roads are sometimes excellent (70%), sometimes full of potholes or even off-road.
Sights of Lombok island on the map
Here's the map interesting places Lombok
For orientation in Lombok, maps.me and osmand maps work well; in both applications you can download maps and then use them offline.
Where to stay: accommodation in Lombok
IN Lately A lot of hotels, hotels, hostels, homestays, etc. have been built on the island of Lombok. The owners have already realized that renting out housing via the Internet is profitable, and have registered their offers on booking.com. Previously, you had to go around the villages and ask around, especially in non-tourist places.
🛌 There are also more than 100 offers on the island: these include rooms and entire villas. You can find unique offers such as an overwater bungalow or a tree house or a villa with an infinity pool.
If you haven't signed up for Airbnb yet:
Theoretically, you can put up a tent on some uncrowded beach. There are few buildings as dense as in Bali; the locals are quite peaceful and calm.
Excursions
Viator - a travel agency on TripAdvisor - offers: trips around the island by car or bicycle, trekking through the jungle and to the Rinjani volcano, snorkeling on the Gili Islands, and getting to know the local culture of Sasak.
When to go to Lombok: seasons and weather
High season in Lombok is July and August when it’s dry and it’s time for vacation. During these months it is better to book everything in advance.
Transition season - from May to June and September. The weather is mostly dry and there are no crowds in Gili and Kut.
Low season, also known as the rainy season - October-April. It may be rainy and trekking to Gunung Rijani is not possible ( national park closes), but the best surfing in Lombok is during these months.
We were on the island of Lombok in November, there was no rain, and no crowds either.
Lombok or Bali?
These two are perfect different islands, it’s hard to choose between them :) It has its own special atmosphere, many attractions and activities, but also more people. Lombok is like Bali in miniature, everything is more relaxed here.
Bottom line: our review of the holiday on the island of Lombok
If you have time in Indonesia, and everyone has already looked at Bali, then Lombok is definitely worth going to. He is different and interesting in his own way. It is best to rent a motorcycle and ride around the island yourself.
Our trip to the island of Lombok took a total of one busy week: 2 days on ferries, 2 days on, 3 days on Lombok.
You can also hang out on the beaches of the west coast, or learn to surf in Kuta, or go hiking at the Gunung Rinjani volcano, visit villages with folk crafts, and travel to other bays of the southern coast.
If you want more privacy, then consider, or.
If you want a larger tropical island, then , or in Thailand, will suit you.
In the northern part of Lombok rises the huge volcano Gunung Rinjani, the second largest in Indonesia. Most people live here on a fertile plain at the foot of the mountain range. The south of the island is hilly and arid, covered in low, harsh vegetation, and its eroded valleys resemble some Australian landscapes.
Having studied the plants and animals of Indonesia, the 19th century naturalist. Alfred Wallace divided it into two parts: the western, relating to South-East Asia, and eastern, which is geographically adjacent to Australia and Oceania. He drew the dividing line right through the Lombok Strait, showing that Bali and Lombok belong to different geographical zones. Although this division is not indisputable, its basis - the “Wallace Line” - is still recognized.
For many years, Lombok served as home to the Sasaks, who once came here from Asia through Java and Bali. It is known that they were animists - they animated everything that surrounded them. When Islam entered the island (partly from Bali), part of the population accepted it, but in its own version, Vektu Telu, which retained significant influence of animism. Now the majority of the island's inhabitants profess Islam to one degree or another. Traveling around Lombok, you will notice many exotic mosques, with domes and fancy arcades, as well as a considerable number of young women in headscarves and specially cut dresses.
Bali's first attempts at intervention began in the 18th century. After some time, most of Lombok was governed from Balinese Karangasem. Later, the Balinese province of Lombok became independent and even tried to subjugate Karangasem. The animistic-Hindu beliefs of the Balinese and the animistic-Muslim religion of the Sasaks were not always in conflict; there was much in common between them. Nowadays, most people from Bali live in the west of Lombok and influence the development of local trade and tourism.
At the end of the 19th century. The Dutch, taking advantage of the differences between the Balinese and the Sasaks, joined the latter and then established complete control over them. After World War II, at the end of the Japanese occupation of Lombok, the Dutch short term returned to the island, but as soon as Indonesia declared independence, they left it again.
People
Lombok, named after a local variety of chili pepper, is also called the “Island of a Thousand Mosques”. Indeed, the Hindus who came here in the 16th century from Balinese Karangsem settled only on west coast and number only 100 thousand people. The vast majority of the population - over two million - are Sasaks who profess Islam. They are divided into two groups: Vetu Tulu (Wetu Tulu)- almost pagans living in the mountains and observing only some Islamic and Hindu rituals, and Vetulima (Wetu Lima)- real orthodox Sunnis.
They all speak Sasak and Bahasa, and many understand Balinese and Sumbawa. English is spoken only at the most popular resorts.
Where to go in Lombok
What you'll love about Lombok is the leisurely, relaxing pace of life, clean beaches and natural, untouched beauty. Visitors to the island appreciate the tranquil country roads, where water buffalo roam with their calves, hens run with their chicks and the unexpected blue of the ocean, dotted with the points of sails, opens up. Most tourists stay in hotels near Senggigi Beach or several remote islands Gili, but there is also one in the south of Lombok good beaches, suitable for snorkeling.
There are several on the island worthy of attention temples, palaces and others historical places, but its rich culture is not conspicuous, not on display. The coexistence of Sasak and Balinese-Hindu traditions means that there are always some ceremonies taking place here, information about which can be obtained from your hotel.
Some villages specialize in certain crafts: basketry, weaving, pottery or wood carving. To experience village life, it's best to rent a car or motorbike and take a day trip through the charming countryside. It is worth checking out the opening times of the markets; in many towns and villages they open in the mornings once or twice a week. The roads outside the city limits are clear, and pony-drawn carts still predominate among vehicles. (chidomo).
Ampenan, Mataram and Chakranegara
Planes land at Selaparang Airport, located on northern border The capital of Lombok is the city of Mataram. Slow ferries from Bali dock at Lembar Port, 10 km to the south.
Not long ago the old port of Ampenan, administrative center Mataram and the commercial area of Chakranegara were completely separate from each other. Now it is an urban conglomerate, home to a quarter of a million people. They are united by a long, wide street that ends in Sveta, the city's central transport hub.
The port area of Ampenan is already crumbling and almost unused; the narrow streets of the old town are much busier. The majority of the population are descendants of Arab traders and can be seen in the well-kept mosques, where they gather for prayer amid the shouts of the muezzins.
South of the center, in Jalan Banjar Tilar Negara, is the Nusa Tenggara Barat Museum (Tue-Sun 7.00-14.00, entrance fee). There you can get acquainted with the culture of the island and its nature.
Mataram, the capital of Nusa Tenggara Barat province, is home to a number of government offices; the tree-lined streets are full of rich houses. On the way to the temple, located on the top of Mount Gunung Peng Song, 6 km to the south, you will be greeted by groups of monkeys waiting for handouts.
Lombok's commercial center Chakranegara, or simply Chakra, grew up around the palace of the Balinese rajahs. From all the royal buildings to today Only the water palace of Mayura, which formerly housed halls for receptions and court hearings, has survived. The palace stands in the middle of the lake; You can approach it along a paved road guarded by cannons. Here in 1894 the Balinese won a short-lived victory over Dutch troops. A few weeks after this triumph, everything changed and the Dutch continued their conquest of the island.
Across the street stands Pura Meru, the largest temple in Lombok, built in 1720. Its three meru shrines are dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. A huge wooden drum in the outer courtyard announces the start of celebrations and ceremonies to the Hindu community. In the east, the transport hub of Sveta is crowded with buses (bemo) and pony-drawn carts (chidomo). The largest market in Lombok is noisy here.
Near the capital
The hillside gardens and lake at Narmada, 10 km east of Chakranegara, were established in the 19th century. by order of one of the kings: they were supposed to remind him of the Gunung Rinjani volcano and the lake located in its crater (due to old age he could no longer visit them). Once another rectangular pool was added, the similarities were no longer so obvious.
In Lingsar, in the north of the Narmada, stands the ecumenical temple Pura Lingsar, designed to unite people of different religions. Its upper structure is intended for Hindus. There are big old sacred eels in the pool of the Vektu Telu temple, you need to feed them with sacrificial boiled eggs, which the merchants will sell you at the gate. In another building lies a stone brought from Gunung Rinjani, wrapped in white cloth and tied with a yellow sash. It is said to represent the spirits of the family. Chinese Taoists take a mirror with them to ward off evil spirits.
Suranadi Gardens, east of Lingsar, will also offer eggs for the inhabitants of the pond at the Temple of the Sacred Eels. You can also take a dip in the swimming pool fed by natural springs and stay for lunch at the old Dutch-built Suranadi Hotel.
Senggigi Beach and Gili Islands
Heading along the coast north of Ampenan, visit the Pura Setara water temple near the bright, colorful Chinese cemetery. Villagers gather next to it to pull fishing boats ashore and sort their catch. The vaulted Pura Batu Bolong stands on a rock just in front of Senggigi. The ancient Hindu shrine juts out into the sea, providing a beautiful vantage point from which to enjoy the sunset over the Lombok Strait.
The first place to stop is near Senggigi Beach, north of Batubolong. Sometimes the beach slopes down steeply and there may be rocks or a coral reef just below the surface of the water, so it is better to walk along it in rubber shoes rather than barefoot. The road north of Senggigi follows one of the most stunning coastlines in the Indonesian archipelago. Sometimes she climbs to the tops of cliffs, and then rushes down to the water itself. Tiny villages hide among the palm trees, and bright spots of sails flicker in the ocean distance.
Sometimes tours from Senggigi and transport from Mataram are directed not to the coast, but inland, along the windswept Pusuk Pass road. Two roads meet in Pemenang, one of them, a country road, leads to the small port of Bangsal, from where you can go to the three Gili Islands located in the distance (the word gili means "island"). The nearest one, Gili Air, lies about 3 km away, followed by Gili Meno, and then Gili Trawangan - it is not only the furthest, but also the largest of them, although it is only 2.5 km long.
White sand beaches and coral reefs have made the Gili extremely popular with divers, tourists and those looking for fun. The quietest of the islands is Gili Meno; here you can relax in numerous beach cafes and bamboo bungalows, without fear of the noise of cars, motorcycles and barking dogs disturbing the peace. But Gili Trawangan is famous for its noisy parties, and in general there is more entertainment here, including diving centers.
Boats traveling from Bangsal to the islands usually depart only when they are full of passengers (usually one boat accommodates 15-20 people). In July and August there is no long wait, but out of season it is better to pay for empty seats or hire a round-trip carrier (for a fairly low flat fee). Buy tickets in the main building, and not from traveling salesmen or in makeshift stalls: you can easily run into scammers there. Some major hotels on the Gili Islands provide speed boat transfers.
Mountain trekking
Gunung Rinjani, 3,726m high, is revered by both the Sasaks and Balinese, who make pilgrimages to its crater lake and hot springs. Every year many lovers come to this area mountain tourism; they begin their route from one of the villages at the foot of the volcano, south of Bayan (We recommend hiking during the dry season, from June to November).
The narrow road rises quickly from the center of Bayan to Batu Kok, leads to the nearby village of Senaru and ends there. There are guest houses along the road, some of them have a restaurant or cafe attached to them. (warung), and from the restaurant overlooking the valley you can see the reflections of the Sendang Gile Falls. In Rinjani you can hire a guide - either for one day or for a longer climb. The main attraction for tourists is the awe-inspiring crater with its beautiful crescent-shaped lake. To reach it you will need a whole day of tiring trekking. The depth of the crater is 600 m; descending its steep, slippery slope will take several more hours. Plan on the expedition to last three or even four days, especially if you want to climb to the top of Rinjani. Those who don't have as much time or energy can enjoy a half-hour walk through the valley and lunch at Senaru, next to the magnificent Sendang and Tin Kelep waterfalls.
South and East Lombok
As you leave the road leading through Lombok and head east of the Narmada, you will come across a cluster of handicraft villages. Loyok, for example, is famous throughout Indonesia for its bamboo baskets and mats. In nearby Rungkang, pitch-black pots of all sizes are made and then woven with thin, flexible rattan.
On the southern slope of Gunung Rinjani is Tetebatu, favorite place holiday for local residents, with an old hotel and a couple of apartments overlooking the green valleys. Here you can walk to a forest waterfall, accompanied by black monkeys who will chat, squeal and jump from branch to branch.
Labuhan-Lombok on east coast- this is a local “outback”; It’s hot and stuffy here, the impression is smoothed out only by the picturesque stilt houses. Freight and passenger ferries depart from Kayangan Terminal, 3 km from this village, heading to Sumbawa Island.
In Sukarar, south of Mataram, almost every home has an ancient loom for producing magnificent songket fabrics, which mix gold and silver threads with cotton. A little further south is Penujak, where world-famous ceramics are made for export.
Beleka, located east of the market town of Praia, specializes in complex weaving: making just one large table mat takes local craftswomen about a week. Further south, near Kuta itself, is Rambitan, a traditional Sasak settlement with bamboo-covered houses and tall barns for storing rice. There are always crowds of tourists and souvenir sellers. Sade is similar to him, but not as big. Note the bamboo-roofed mosques in both villages.
In the south, dry, low scrub hills lead you slowly through semi-desert before revealing one of Indonesia's most stunning coastlines. Kuta Beach with its snow-white coral sand is one of the most convenient places The surf spot, however, unlike its Balinese namesake, is largely empty. You can stay here in modest cottages; Some of them have restaurants.
U sandy beach Mandalika is located hotel-resort "Novotel Coralia Resort", stylized as traditional village Sasakov. This is the most best hotel in District. At the request of the guests, drivers can take them to one of the most beautiful secluded beaches located nearby.
The Sunday morning market in the village of Kuta is worth a visit: it is very crowded and interesting. Once a year, in February or March, for a few days after the second full moon, people gather on the beach near the Novotel to celebrate the Bau Nyale festival. The festival has a very ancient origins and passes into the night when millions of sea worms crawl out of the water to mate.
Trip around Lombok
Settling in Senggigi organized tours to Lombok's few cultural attractions and artisan villages. Some include visiting one of the Gili Islands for snorkeling or diving. Bemos travel from city to city, but rarely leave the densely populated central lowlands. They can be rented at a price that is approximately the same as the daily cost of renting a standard vehicle. On the ubiquitous chidomo (pony with a cart similar to a Balinese dokar) Convenient for short trips. Taxis outside of Senggigi must be booked in advance. You can rent a car in Senggigi and Mataram. You can also rent bicycles; they are good for traveling through the mountains during the dry season. (from June to October).
Accommodation
Most visitors to this island stay in and around Senggigi. A number of hotels are located in Kuta Beach and on the south coast. The Gili Islands have comfortable middle-class hotels, losmens, as well as luxury villas and hotels, the number of which is increasing.
In villages where there are no official places to stay overnight, but if you want to stay here, you need to introduce yourself to the elder: he will place you with one of the local families.
Kitchen
Lombok cuisine is no different from its Balinese neighbor. Except for one thing: this is a Muslim island and finding pork on the menu of restaurants outside the resorts is problematic. Alcohol is ubiquitous in tourist areas, mainly in the form of Bintang beer.
Crafts
Crafts in Lombok focus on producing household items that have natural beauty and functionality. Look at the exquisite wickerwork, be it mats, boxes, plates, bags or the popular rice barn models today. Wood carved and painted boxes for storing spices, tobacco, and jewelry are also very attractive. Simple products made of red clay are made in Penujak, and black pots woven with complex patterns are made in Rungkang.
How to get there
Selaparang International Airport ("Selaparang") in Mataram, two ferry crossings - that’s the whole limited set of connections between Lombok and the “mainland”, which usually means neighboring Bali.
Actually, air traffic with other countries is limited only to flights of Singapore's Silk Air with its inhumane 300 SGD one way and 490 SGD round trip from Singapore (approximately $190 and 300)- and this is a couple of months before the flight. A week before the desired date, the price tag skyrockets, and it is more logical to use flights of Air Asia and local airlines with a transfer in Denpasar. The Bali capital is very close - 15 minutes in the air on a Merpati plane (2-3 flights per day, $60). Those wishing to save money are offered flights on a Fokker airliner Trigana for $30 - an unforgettable experience in the style of a “chronicle of a dive bomber”!
Also, if you wish, you can fly directly to Surabaya and Yogyakarta on Citilink airlines. Tickets are sold at airport ticket offices and travel agencies. Arriving guests of the island are transported to cities and resorts by taxi. You should ignore the intrusive bombers, go out through the parking lot onto the road and catch blue taxis with a meter - a trip to Mataram will cost 6,000 - 7,000 Rp (3 km south).
The main western gate of Lombok is at Lembara (Lembar), where ferries from Bali's Padangbai land every hour and a half. The ticket is inexpensive - 15,000 Rp, but for vehicle you will have to pay extra, from 40,000 Rp for a motorbike to 225,000 Rp for a car. Passengers of buses, regular and charter, do not need to pay anything extra. Ferry tickets are sold at the ticket office; cunning port scammers claim that the ticket office is closed, but you shouldn’t believe them. Huge Pelni ferries from other Indonesian islands also dock at the port. Due to their deadly slow speed, they are rarely used by tourists. From Lembar to Mataram you can travel by motorbike along beautiful road for 25,000 Rp or by taxi.
Those wishing to continue their journey east to the Nusa Tenggara Islands (Sumbawa - Komodo - Flores) use the eastern port of Kayangan (Kayagan) in Labuan Lombok (Labuhan Lombok), from where ferries to Sumbawa leave every hour (9,000 Rp, additional payment for transport). It is connected to Mataram by a good road and numerous buses departing from the city's Bertais bus station. ("Bertais") (2 hours).
In general, bus service starting from trans-island Jakarta - Sape (Sape) (Sumbawa Island) and ending with Regatta's daily tourist charters to all Bali resorts - the cheapest and most popular means of communication with the outside world. The easiest way to get there is from Denpasar (6 - 7 hours, 90,000 Rp) and Sumbawa Besar (Sumbawa Besar) (6 hours, 65,000 Rp). A trip from Jakarta will turn into an extreme 32 hours in a smoky bus for 300,000 Rp - very cheap, but incredibly angry.
Helpful information
The Tourist Office is located at Mataram, Lombok. Jalan Langka, 70, Tel: 0370-631-730. Useful maps and booklets, which, however, are not always available.
We also recommend the company "Bidy Tour" in Lombok (tel.: 0370-632-127; www.bidytour-lombok.com). Another reliable travel agency is “Perama Tours” (tel: 0370-693-007 in Lombok, 0361-751-551 in Bali; www.peramatour.com) offers a variety of excursions, as well as transfers throughout Lombok and Indonesia.
Solitude and Lombok are practically synonymous words. Tourist infrastructure is most developed in the western part of Senggigi Island. There, tourists will be able to engage in idleness and shopping with complete dedication. The island is famous for its pottery, silk and textiles with gold and silver thread, handcrafted by local artisans.
Excellent surfing can be found on the other side of the island, at the resort of Kuta (not to be confused with the resort of the same name in Bali).
How to get to Lombok
The island of Lombok can be reached in 2 and a half hours by comfortable express boats. By air you can get here in half an hour on the daily flight Bali - Lombok - Bali. You can fly to Lombok directly from Singapore or Jakarta.
Search for flights to Denpasar (the nearest airport to Lombok)
Rules of conduct and safety
If you decide to visit some remote rural areas on your own, it would be prudent to look for a local guide. Often the residents of such places do not know not only English, but also Indonesian, so it will be possible to communicate with them only in Sasak.
In addition, some places in Lombok have quite strict morals. If you plan to visit rural areas, religious sites or government offices, it is better to wear something more modest. For women traveling, it would be a good idea to have a pareo with you - you can throw it on if you decide to leave the beach for a while in just a swimsuit, and it also perfectly protects from the sun and wind.
Be careful with local alcohol. On the island, things are not particularly favorable for him, so if you think that you feel worse, it is better to consult a doctor just in case (however, if you feel slightly unwell the next morning, you probably do not need to go to the hospital).
Be sure to bring insect repellent with you. It is unlikely that you will be bitten by malaria mosquitoes if you relax on one of the popular resorts, but it’s still pretty sad to be itching until the very end of the trip because of one little mistake.
And, as for local traditions, in Lombok it is customary to take off your shoes when entering someone’s house (and even into the reception areas of some companies) and it is not customary to offer your left hand or pass something with your left hand to someone with whom you are not too close. Failure to comply with these two rules is considered very rude here.
Holidays on the island of Lombok
Shopping: shops
Pottery, silk and woven items with gold and silver thread, handcrafted by local craftsmen, are the main souvenirs from Lombok.
Beaches
The island's best beaches are in the Sendjigi area: they are wide, clean and with blessedly little sunbathing or steaming. A distinctive feature of the Lombok coast is the beaches with grains of sand the size of black peppercorns, gray-beige in color. A handful of such sand is another important souvenir that is taken away from Lombok.
Kitchen
The word "lombok" is translated from Indonesian as "chili pepper", however local kitchen mostly not as spicy as you might think.
One of the island's most popular dishes is called ayam taliwang. Locals cannot agree on which recipe should be considered authentic, but the most common variation of the dish is chicken in a rather spicy tomato sauce with lots of spices. Its taste can be both mild and very spicy, so it is better to check when you order.
One of the things you shouldn't miss when you're in Lombok is the local traditional massage.
The main food of the island's inhabitants and a mandatory item on the menu of any cafe is rice with various additives. In terms of the amount of rice consumed, the islanders are hardly much inferior to the Japanese, and the additives are quite varied. In addition to vegetables (this is a mandatory part of the program), nuts, fish, chicken, meat or tofu can be added to the rice, and as a seasoning you will probably be offered sambal sauce, which is based on ground red pepper.
Prices in restaurants and cafes in Lombok greatly depend on their location. Lunch at a restaurant in one of the popular resorts will be quite expensive, and the dishes offered there will be adapted to European cuisine. In other places you can find many small restaurants called warung, which are aimed more at local residents. If you are interested in traditional cuisine, they are exactly what you need.
Alcoholic drinks can be bought almost everywhere, but since the majority of Lombok's population is Muslim, some areas (particularly Praya) have a ban on the sale of alcohol in bars and restaurants. Plus, alcohol is heavily taxed throughout Indonesia - it's quite possible that a bottle of wine will end up being the most expensive item on your order.
Popular hotels in Lombok
Entertainment and attractions in Lombok
Here are held interesting excursions to Mount Rinjani, Sendang Gila Falls and Lake Danau Segara Anae. There are three nearby in the sea coral islands Gili: Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan, with snow-white beaches, bays with clear water and coral reefs. The nearest one is a 15-minute ferry ride away - an ideal place for picnics, diving and snorkeling. In addition, the island has several museum villages of the Lombok aborigines - the Sasaks.
One of the things you shouldn't miss when you're in Lombok is the local traditional massage. To do this, you don’t even need to go anywhere; you can get a massage right on the beach, to the relaxing sound of the waves. In addition to being extremely pleasant, this massage is believed to have an excellent therapeutic effect. It is still one of the main methods of treatment for many diseases among Sasak healers and is very popular among all segments of the island's population.
Another traditional entertainment on the island is fishing. There are many places where you can rent a boat with all the necessary equipment and go fishing in the sea - for a day or longer. It's very relaxing, but be careful - keep an eye on the weather forecast and don't swim too far.
And if you want more active rest- on the island you will find excellent cycling excursions, where you can stretch your muscles after lying on the beach and listening to the guide’s stories about local attractions.