Begin in Ampenan’s former Dutch-era port, continue to Banyumulek for traditional pottery, and to Sukerare/Sukarara for hand-loomed songket you can try yourself. Explore Rambitan/Sade with thatched homes and rice-field views, then unwind at Kuta Beach for swimming or sun.
Lombok island is located east of Bali. Lombok geographically is almost the same size as Bali and, just as there are popular tourist areas on lombok, so Lombok offers a variety of destinations to suit different holidaymakers’ tastes. Tropical climate with warm and humid weather all year round. Temperature range from 21 Celsius to 32 Celsius. Wet season starts from November to May and dry season start from May-October. The best time to come is in the month of May when the weather is just perfect with bright daylight and green scenery.
Population is about 3.6 million. The local inhabitants of Lombok are called Sasaks who make up 70% of the population are the predominant group with Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese and other ethnics groups making up the rest. Bahasa Indonesia is the National Language, but English is widely spoken. Lombok has three main districts with three capital cities: Mataram in the west, Praya in central and Selong in east Lombok. The majority of commerce is in the capital city of Mataram in west Lombok. Islam is the majority religion, but all other religions are practiced freely. Every Friday around 12.30 noon, Muslims go to the mosques just like Christians go to church on Sunday. If you are planning on traveling around the island and visiting small villages it is more respectable to wear slacks or knee length shorts, a shirt with sleeves or a sarong. If you happened to be here during Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, please do not to eat, drink or smoke out in the open public during this month long fast. Even though the people don’t seem bothered in the common tourist areas like, Senggigi and the Gili islands, it is better to respect the people and not eat or smoke openly.
Wetu telu is an unique religion that that blends Islam – Animism and is only found in north Lombok. It roots stem from the village of Bayan in the north. The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, that takes place 1000 days after someone dies. The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. so the deceased will be pleased in heaven. Wetu Telu
Wetu telu is an unique religion that that blends Islam – Animism and is only found in north Lombok. It roots stem from the village of Bayan in the north. The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, that takes place 1000 days after someone dies. The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. so the deceased will be pleased in heaven.
When changing money there are many money changers in Lombok. The best rates are usually in Senggigi and kuta . Money changers prefer new, clean large bills and will accept smaller denominations at a lower rate. If you have traveler’s checks the rate will be less than bank notes. Be sure to count your money before you leave money changers. You can also check local banks but the rate is slightly lower than outside. Re-count the money in front of the money changer reception is a must, as usually there’s a quick tricky way how they can steal your money. A suggestion when changing money. If you plan on making small purchases be sure to carry small denominations with you because many sellers do not have change. The Rupiah come in denominations of 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000, in coin.
Don’t miss Lombok’s beautiful scenery. If you choose to rent a car drive yourself, you must have an International Driving License. Renting a car is a good alternative to get around Lombok, either self driving or with driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. (Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or dinner). If you are pleased with service, tip ( Rp. 50.000 minimum). If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all.
Lombok island is located east of Bali Indonesia and can be easily accessed by air or sea. Lombok is one of the popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and attracts travellers from all across the globe. Or lombok-map
it’s easy to get to Lombok from Bali and java- flight time is only 25 minutes. buy tickets direct from the airline counters at the domestic airports, or contact the agencies which handling the flight tickets.
Garuda Airlines. Lion airlines, air asia , batik air, now offers fast transfers on board a comfortable 737 jet with a flight time around 15 minutes. The flights operate every evening to connect with internationals arrivals and departures, www.garuda-indonesia.com
Lombok International Airport [ 1 and half hours drive from Senggigi and 40 minutes from the capital city of Mataram] has full visa on arrival facilities with efficient and fast Visa processing.
Garuda Arilines flies between Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Lombok everyday with a short stop over in Jakarta. www.garuda-indoneisa.com
European connections are easy via Jakarta in Java. Direct flight from Jakarta to Lombok are available everyday and are usually timed to connect with European flights. Lombok is easily accessible from Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, and Bali and as an important connection for travel to the Eastern islands of Indonesia, in particular Sumbawa, Komodo, and Flores.
Garuda Indonesia has direct flights between Lombok, Bali and Jakarta three times every day.
Lion Air has daily flights between Lombok, Jakarta and Surabaya.
Padang Bai harbor ( Bali ) provides the sea link between mainland Bali and Lombok. Lembar harbor ( Lombok ) is approximately 1 hour south direction of Senggigi. The crossing between the islands takes approx 4 – 5 hours.
Public Ferries depart every two hours for the sea voyage between Padangbai harbor and Lembar harbor will cost you Rp. 36.300 per person. Padang Bai harbour Phone: 0363 41849 / 41840 Lembar Harbour Phone: 0370 681209
There are numerous fast boat or Express boat services operating between Bali and Lombok. Most serve Gili Trawangan, for Gili islands and Teluk Kodek on mainland Lombok. The crossing between the islands can be treacherous in bad weather, so choose a reliable operators and avoid companies that prctice overloading in busy times.
Scoot Fast Cruises, cruise the triangle tropical islands with Super Scoot is a new express boat operating high speed catamaran from Sanur Bali to, Gili T, Gili Air and Lombok. The fast boat ticket availbale to book at Adventure Lombok Tour, price IDR 600.000/adult and IDR 500.000/children.
Gili Cat, an Australian built small fast fery depart from Padang Bai harbor on Bali at 09am everyday and travels to Gili Trawangan and Lombok, before making the return trip to Bali, departing Gili Trawangan at 11.30am, Lombok mainland pick up service and departures are daily from Teluk Kodek, arriving at Teluk Kodek at 10.30am and leaving at 12.15pm. Gili Cat has an shuttle service for free transfers between Padang Bai, Kuta Bali, and Sanur.
Blue Water Express, Operated by Blue Water Safaris, providing transfers between Bali and Gili Trawangan Blue Water Safari are operates two boats with 25 and 15 passangers capacities, departing from Benoa harbor in Bali everyday at 8am and from Gili Trawangan at 11am.
Island Gateway is a comfortable fast boat departing from Benoa harbor, Bali daily at 8am. The crossing takes around 2 hours, island gateway operates direct to Gili Trawangan and Teluk Kodek on Lombok. Departs Gili T 11.30am and Lombok 11.45am, transfers from Gili Air, Gili Meno, are available on request. Fares included free water and fruit juice, plus free transport to your hotel or villa.
The years leading up to 2010 has seen a rapid revival and promotion of tourism recovery in the tourism industry. The number of visitors has far surpassed the pre-2000 levels. All signs indicate the long-term trend will see a steady increase in the number of visitor arrivals. Both the local government and many residents recognize that tourism and services related to tourism will continue to be the major source of income for the island. The island’s natural beauty and the customary hospitality of its residents make it an obvious tourist destination. Lombok retains the allure of an undeveloped and natural environment. Tourism visits to this tropical island are increasing again as both international and local tourists are re-discovering the charms of Lombok. With this new interest comes the development of a number of boutique resorts on the island providing quality accommodation, food and drinks in near proximity to an relatively unspoiled countryside. The Indonesian government is actively promoting both Lombok and neighboring Sumbawa as Indonesia’s number two tourism destination after Bali. The President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Ministry of Cultural and Tourism and the regional Governor have made public statements supporting the development of Lombok as a tourism destination and setting a goal of 1 million visitors annually by the year 2012 for the combined destination of Lombok and Sumbawa. This has seen infrastructure improvements to the island including road upgrades and the construction of a much delayed new International airport in the islands south. – taken from wikipedia