Around Lombok Few
our Favorite Things
whether
you want to climb a mountain,
search for one of the longest barrels in
Indonesia or visit a deserted island,
Lombok has it all. From pink beaches to
fabulous under water world's to dazzling
heights and mystical waterfalls, grab a
guide or rent a car and go discovering one
of the most beautiful places on the earth.
For sheer visuals Lombok has few rivals,
sunsets with sea and mountain backdrops,
lands that play hide and seek in the mist
and some of the clearest water you'll ever
enjoy.
South Lombok
There are number of surf locations in
Lombok but south Lombok's waves are would
famous. Grupuk bay in Kuta, offers a
friendlier ride but super surfers head to
Bangko Bangko, otherwise known as a desert
point.
When the waves are happening, this is
considered one of the world's best lefts.
Accommodation in Kuta is fairly simple but
for those seeking white cotton sheets, air
conditioning, candle lit dinner and bit of
luxury, never fear, Novotel is there too.
Mount Rinjani
One of Indonesia's highest peaks; Rinjani
offers some great options for trekkers.
Whether you decide to go all the way, up
that is, or simply want a more leisurely
trek and a splash in one of the many
waterfalls in the area and a spot of local
culture, most of these trips start and
finish in the village of Senaru.
Local tour companies can escort you in
whichever style you choose. In the foot
hills of the area is an excellent golf
course that sits agreeably in the cooler
climes.
Golf
The other golf course, located near the
Oberoi Hotel in northwest Lombok is Kosaido
Golf Club.
 Set in a coconut groove and
overlooking the clear blue waters that
stretch between the mainland and the Gilis,
the course is beautifully laid out with
just enough challenges to shake off that
tropical languor.
Village Life
The traditional inhabitants of Lombok are
the Sasaks and for those who really want a
taste of local culture, rent a car or go
with a tour company and visit some of the
local villages. Many of the locals are now
recreating the Sasak houses, which feature
grass roves that reach towards the ground
on the both sides. Local pottery, basket
and textile weaving are among the local
crafts.
Mataram
Many visitors to Lombok overlook the local
capital but there are some highlights here
for the intrepid traveler. A good way to
spot the best food is to look for the
crowds. You will find some great seafood,
Chinese and Indonesia cafes as well as the
traditional mall rat favorites, Mc Donalds
and KFC.
Lombok is surprisingly home to some very
professional pearl companies, don't be
fooled by the street sellers into thinking
the local pearls are cheap imitations. Some
of the fresh water pearls are coming from
else where but if you have an eye you may
find a really beautiful example of the
south sea pearls that sell for thousands on
the world market. How good are you? Look
for colour (white is top), luster and shape
- the more round the pearl, the more
valuable.
The other thing worth seeking out are the
cotton batik sarongs that you will see
women on the island wearing in their daily
life. there are gorgeous colours, fabolous
pattern for both men and women and they
come with a lesson in local bargaining.
Art and Crafts
Weaving, Ikat making, pottery and stone
carving are the main arts you will discover
while travelling around the island.
Banyumulek
is the central village for traditional
pottery making. Still wood fired, the
terracotta clay is burnished to a glowing
coppery colour. It is also painted and
decorated. A long term project with with
New Zealand government has helped these
pottery makers to reach a wider market. The
village is still much as it always was and
visitors will be amazed at what can be
achieved by these simple production
methods.
The Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan is the largest of the 3
Gilis (small islands) off Lombok, easily
accessible from Bali by fast boat, ferry or
plane/car and speed boat. Untill as
recently as five years ago, Gili Trawangan
remain largely undiscovered except for
ardent scuba diver and surfers.
Accommodation was mainly backpacker type
Pondoks or the only 4 star resort on the
island, villa Ombak. How ever, much
development over the past 3 or 4 years has
resulted in small businesses and some of the
island's dive schools expanding their
business to include small bungalows and
restaurants. The B/H was the first resort
style accommodation offering the islands'
only 4 bed room villa with a fresh water
pool.
Villa Almarik, Kelapa Luxury Villa and Desa
Dunia Beda Resort also now provide 4 star
accommodation.
Gili Trawangan is known as the "Party
island" because 3 of the larger
establishments along the main beach front
hold a party one night a week untill 2 am.
There is also a monthly full moon party
organized by the locals and held on the
beach. Almost every type of cuisine is
available from local Indonesian,
 Balinese, Sumateran, Italian, Japanese, Indian and
Australian.
Sensational snorkelling, to challenge the
great barrier reef and fishing help while
away the days, or for the more adventurous,
all of the 2 Gili's offer wonderful
exciting, dive sites where you can
encounter giant sea turtles, Octopus,
Sharks, and plethora of other colourful and
exotic fish. For the less adventurous
viewing of the coral reef and ocean life
can been done by one of the many glass
bottom boats for hire.
There is also horse
riding at "The Stud" and motorized water
sports off the main beaches. There is no
Motorized transport on either of the Gilis
so it's either on foot, on bicycle or in
Cidomo (the local horse drawn buggy).
Gili Trawangan participates in one
of the areas largest and most successful
turtle conservation programs, releasing
100's of baby turtles once or twice a year
back into their natural habitat. Founding
for conservation program is voluntary but
most businesses make regular monthly
donations and some of larger businesses
provide support in the way of food, water
purification equipment and specialized
medicine.
Gili Meno is the least developed of
the 3 Gilis with no fresh water and limited
power supply from the mainland.
Accommodation there is mainly still quite
primitive. However, Gili Meno provides a
welcome escape from the comparative bustle
of Gili Trawangan and attracts lots of
honeymooners searching for some peace,
privacy and romance. Gili Meno is also home
to a bird park and zoo, a delight for
children and adults alike. The famous Meno
wall is a popular dive site with an endless
drop and frequent turtle sightings.
Gili Air is the smallest and
quaintest of the islands with white sand
beaches and beautiful snorkelling. The main
beach area is slowly being developed by the
locals and day trippers can enjoy delicious
local food in traditional bales on the
beach. For those wishing to spend more than
a day exploring this tiny island and
relaxing, The Gili Air Hotel is the
island's main hotel with bungalow style
accommodation and air
conditioned rooms.
There are also many other small bungalows
complexes to choose from, Gili Air also
participates in turtle conservation
program.
The islands are home to locals and workers
from Lombok, Sulawesi, Java and Bali with a
growing number of ex-pats from England,
Holland, Australia and England investing in
local business.
The islands are governed by elected chiefs
with one head of 3 islands reporting to
main council in Lombok and have recently
developed local councils responsible for
waste re cycling, educational support,
family support, business management,
building management and security.
Gili Meno
Percy's new villas are 2 bed luxury with
own pools and Bales. Gili Meno bird park
with basic accommodation. Blue Marlin
Diving excelent snorkeling and beautiful
sandy beaches. AC bungalows at Kontiki and
Nautilus, and an assortment of inexpensive
beach front accommodation.
Gili Air
3 star Gili Air hotel has been purchased
and the new Italian owners are embarking
on a complete refurb. villa Karang formerly
Gili Indah Hotel has new AC bungalows. Gili
Indah and Gita Gili for budget
accommodation.
Diving with Blue Marlin and Dream Divers.
Glass bottom boat, fishing and fantastic
snorkelling straight of the beach. Local
beach vendors for sarongs, pearls, wood
carvings, ikat and delicious pineapple and
mangoes.
Eat and drink at Zip bar and Gita Gili Bar
for great Pizzas and fresh local food.
Reggae party every Thursday evening.
Gili Trawangan
Party nights- Monday @ Blue Marlin,
Wednesday @ Irish Bar, Friday @ Rudy's and
full moon party on the beach every
month. Sunset deck for stunning Sunsets
around 5.30 with views to Bali and Mount
Agung.
Diving at Dive Indonesia, Big Bubble, Dream
Divers, Blue Marlin, Manta Dive, Trawangan
Dive, and Villa Ombak Diving Academy. Stud
Horse riding around the island and along
the beaches at Sunset. Fishing with local
boat hire and new beach house fishing boat
catch a snapper.
Water sports include wake boarding, water
skiing, Do nutting, reef surfing, canoeing
/ kayaking and snorkelling. Turtle
conservation / Bio Rock/local art market and
super market including Aldi and Melati.
Dinning
The beach house for beach front, fresh sea
food BBQ and pasta Bar, Scallywags for
Asian beach front fusion, Pesona for
authentic Indian, Villa Ombak for beach
front International cuisine, Irish bar for
Pizza and beef cuisine and Guinness Pie
Ryoshi for Japanese, coral beach for best
pizza Kikinova at front of art market for
best local Indonesian food, COCO's cafe for
budguettes, coffe and home made dissertates,
Horizontal for modern international food ad
great cocktails, Manta cafe for Mexican and
Pondok Kayangan for local fare.
The
article takes from Lombok Times
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