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Lombok, Indonesia

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Bau Nyale, a festival for hunting sea worms in LombokBau Nyale, a festival for hunting sea worms in Lombok
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bau_Nyale_festival.jpg
Author: Ken Miichi
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Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Lombok is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is located between Bali to the west and Sumbawa to the east, and separated from them by the Lombok Strait and Alas Strait respectively. Lombok is roughly 70 km across and has a total area of 4,725 sq km (1,825 sq miles).

View of Gunung Rinjani from Gili AirView of Gunung Rinjani from Gili Air
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gunung_Rinjani_from_Gili_Air_1.jpg
Author: Davenbelle
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Seeing the success of tourism in neighbouring Bali, Lombok is now working to develop its tourism potential. The island is pristine, with scenic seaside view, lovely waterfalls, and right at the centre of it all, the mighty Gunung Rinjani, the second tallest volcano in Indonesia.

Lombok is a lot of things that Bali is not. For one, it is predominantly Muslim, so much of the Balinese architecture is missing here. But not entirely, for about 100,000 Balinese Hindus live on the west coast of the island. The architecture of the native Sasak people is distinctly different, and can be seen from the construction of their mosques and lumbung (rice barns).

Visitors come to Lombok for a variety of reasons. Apart from the aforementioned beaches and volcano, it is a great destination for trekking, wind-surfing, diving, snorkelling and game-fishing. The loveliest beaches are on the eastern coast, where you can find sheltered coves and reefs of live corals.

Gili Islands off LombokGili Islands off Lombok
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gili_Islands_%26_Gunung_Rinjiani,_Lombok,_Indonesia.jpg
Author: Kok Leng Yeo
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Travel to Lombok

By Plane
You can fly to Lombok from Bali, arriving at Selaparang Airport (AMI) in Mataram, the main town. The flight takes just 20 minutes from Bali. The most reliable airline flying that route is Garuda, which also offers connections with Jakarta and Surabaya.

By Boat
Unless you have plenty of time to kill, this is not an option. The slow ferry from Padang Bai in Bali for Lembar in Lombok. The fare is Rp. 35,000 and the journey takes a full 24 hours. This transport is used mostly by the locals with only an occasional hardy tourist.

Travel within Lombok

The transportation in Lombok is the bemo - minivans modified to carry passengers. You can simply hail one as it passes by. Fares tend to fluctuate and is quite open for negotiation.

Picking fish on the beach at Kuta, LombokPicking fish on the beach at Kuta, Lombok
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Picking_fishes_@_Kuta_beach,_Lombok.jpg
Author: Tanti Ruwani
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Places of Interest in Lombok

  1. Lembar
    The main seaport for Lombok.
  2. Banyumulek
    A centre for the production of terracotta pots, Banyumulek is a village of wooden huts and thatched roofs.
  3. Sweta
    Site of Pura Lingsar, one of the oldest temple in Lombok built in 1714.
  4. Narmada
    19th century summer palace of the ruler of Lombok.
  5. Mataram
    Capital and largest city of West Nusa Tenggara.
  6. Senggigi
    Beach destination in Lombok.
  7. Gili Islands
    A set of three islands dotting the sea off Lombok like an elipsis.
  8. Tanjung
    Fishing village on the route towards the foothills of Gunung Rinjani.
  9. Senaru
    Site on the lower slope of Gunung Rinjani with a few simple guesthouses and restaurants. There are waterfalls nearby to explore.
  10. Gunung Rinjani National Park
    Destination for trekkers and nature lovers.
  11. Sembalun
    A quiet village surrounded by mountains where visitors can experience the fresh air and relaxed atmosphere of the countryside.
  12. Sapit
    Resort on the eastern slope of Gunung Rinjani. From here you can see Sunbawa across the strait.
  13. Labuhan Lombok
    Fishing village in a bay around a natural harbour.
  14. Pringgasela
    A village in the foothills of Gunung Rinjani.
  15. Tetebatu
    A hillstation resort with good views of Gunung Rinjani.
  16. Sukarara
    Village of songket textile weavers.
  17. Penujak
    One of the main pottery-making villages of Lombok.
  18. Rembitan and Sade
    Traditional Lombok villages where farming, rice-growing and cottage industries are practised.
  19. Kuta
    Same name as Kuta in Bali, but much less developed.
  20. Gerupuk
    Village on the edge of a long bay, where the people are mostly fishermen.
  21. Selong Blanak
    Fishing village in a tranquil bay between two rocky promontories.
  22. Tanjung Luar
    A minor port with inter-island ferry services.
  23. Bangko Bangko
    Site at the tip of the peninsula on the southwest corner of Lombok.

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