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Lombok - Indonesia
Highlights: * Surfing * Snorkeling and scuba diving * Massage and Spa * Golf * Accommodation * Ferry to Lombok from Bali * Transportation
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Places of Interest in Lombok Other Indonesian locations
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Lombok is
one of the 13,000 islands of Indonesian,
the large island east of Bali only 70 miles away
with a population of over 2.5 million people.
The capital of Lombok is Mataram though this is not a huge tourist destination. The highlights of Lombok include Senggigi, Kuta Lombok, Gunung Rinjani, the Gili Islands and Chakranegara which has a few interesting temples. Close to Mataram is Senggigi Beach which has the most developed tourist infrastructure on Lombok with many hotels and beach resorts available.
The natives of Lombok, the Sasak people, call their island Bumi Gora meaning 'Dry Farmland' The name 'Lombok' is believed to have come from the fiery red chili peppers that are grown in the country side of Lombok. You will see in many locations these spread out over tarpaulins drying in the sun.
Mount Rinjani Volcano Lombok is home to one of the most impressive volcanoes in Indonesia, Mount Rinjani 3726m high, not just because it is Indonesia's second highest volcano but for it's scenery as well. Mount Rinjani is surrounded by a spectacular cobalt blue lake. It is a popular 3 day hike stretching from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the cobalt blue crater lake and then on to Sembulan Lawang. The trek has superb ocean and mountain views and the chance to spot barking deer, macaques and civets.
Mount Rinjani is found within the Gunung Rinjani National Park which covers 41,330 hectares. Chakranegara is the second largest city on Lombok, after Mataram. In Chakranegara is located the largest Hindu temple on Lombok, Meru temple. Off the northwest coast of Lombok are the Gili Islands including Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili is the Sasak word meaning small island. Snorkeling and scuba diving on Lombok There are a few good coral reefs close to Senggigi Beach though the best sites you'll need to arrange a boat trip to various locations around the Gili Islands. There are a few PADI certified dive operators in Senggigi Beach who can arrange these trips. Kuta in the south of Lombok have some excellent beaches as well for snorkeling. Though the best location of all in Lombok are the Gili islands.
There are some great spots to go surfing in Lombok with a good selection of waves for all types of surfers, beginners, intermediate and experts. The big bonus is the waves are not as crowded as you'll find in Bali. Many surfing spots in Indonesia are for experienced surfers though in Grupuk also spelt Gerupuk, South Lombok there are consistent 3 foot waves over a beach break so safe for learners. Just around from Grupuk is Ekas Bay which has both a inside right break and a long left hand which breaks further out in the bay.
Desert Point has a reef break for experienced surfers only. Senggigi Beach has both a left hand and right hand breaks. For a map of the good surf spots throughout Lombok check out Globalsurfers and Wannasurf. Also for general conditions of the surf check out the Lombok Network. Other good spots to learn to surf in Indonesia are: Pangandaran, West Java Air Manis Beach, West Sumatra There are a number of great Health Spa's for massage and beauty treatments. The Jayakarta Lombok Resort offer aroma therapy massage and cream baths. Puri Mas Resort and Spa also offer reasonably priced massage and beauty treatments.
Lombok Golf Kosaido Country Club is an 18 hole championship course located on Sira Bay on north-west coast of Lombok with views to Rinjani Volcano. Travel from Mataram takes 45 minutes. Green and caddy fees are around US$80. www.99bali.com/golf/lombokkosaido
Rinjani Golf Club is an 18 hole Par 72 gold course designed by Jack Nicklaus. 20 minutes away from Mataram in the Golong Hills, 500m above sea level. Green and caddy fees are around US$65.
For travel and golf packages contact the Lombok Network or KayuAyu Travel.
Lombok International Triathlon
The Lombok International Triathlon is being held on 11th October 2009 starting from Senggigi Beach. The race is a 1.8km swim, 55km cycle and a 12km run. For more information and registration: www.lomboktriathlon.com
Last updated 3rd January 2009 |
Senggigi Beach close to Mataram Getting to Lombok There are regular flights from Bali, Jakarta, Surabaya as well as direct flights from Singapore on Silk Air to Lombok.. Lion Air have regular flights between Denpasar in Bali and Mataram. There are also flights from Mataram to Jakarta, Surabaya and Sumbawa Besar the island east of Lombok. www.lionair.co.id Silk Air has direct flights between Singapore and Mataram. Flight time from Lombok to Singapore is around 2 hours 30 minutes. www.silkair.com Batavia Air has direct flights to Jakarta and Surabaya www.batavia-air.co.id Merpati Nusantara Airlines www.merpati.co.id Trigana Air www.trigana-air.com Mandala Airlines plan to start flights to Lombok soon. You can currently book flights from Lombok to Denpasar, Jakarta and Surabaya, the flights are operated by Trigana Air or www.mandalaair.com
There are regular ferry services that can be caught from Padangbai Bali to Lembar Lombok. A faster speedboat can be used which takes 2 hours and you have a choice to go to Lembar or directly to the Gili Islands. There are also fast boats that go from Nusa Lembongan directly to the Gili Islands. Public Ferries leave East Bali at Padang Bai and take 4 hours to go to Lembar Harbour Lombok. Sometimes once you arrive in Lembar Harbour you have to wait up to an hour before the boat can dock. A ticket costs 31,000Rp for the ferry ride from Padangbai to Lembar though you will need to go directly to the ferry port to buy this ticket. Travel offices in Padangbai charge 150,000Rp (US$15) one way economy to Lembar including a trip a mini-bus trip to Kuta or Sengiggi. Once you are on board you can pay and extra 11,000Rp to sit in the VIP cabin with nice comfortable chairs and big TV screen either playing really loud Indonesian music, sports or a latest release DVD. Be careful that some ticket sellers in Padangbai will try to charge you 300,000R0 or 350,000Rp for the trip telling you the boat goes to Sengiggi. The boat stops in Lembar and there are connecting cars that go to either Sengiggi or Kuta. BlueWater Express have a large speedboat which leaves the wharf in Benoa Bali everyday at 8am. Arrives in Teluk Kode in Lombok 2 hours later. www.bwsbali.com/gili-islands Mahi Mahi Fast Boat leave from Bali's Serangan Harbour in Sanur. Prices are 650,000Rp (US$65) one way. Bus transfers are available from other parts of Bali for 100,000Rp. www.gilifastboats.com Gili Cat have catamarans that leave Bali at Padang Bai in East Bali and arrive in Teluk Kode Lombok. Travel time 2 hours. Cost 660,000Rp (US$66) one way. Bounty Cruises offer luxury cruises around Bali and the Gilli Islands. www.balibountycruises.com Transportation Around Lombok Lombok is a relatively small island and just takes 2 hours to trip across the island. There are some local buses traveling between the main cities and towns though the best way to travel is with the cheap car services which are around 400,000Rp per day. Taxi service from Mataram Airport to the various places costs: Mataram to Senggigi 25 minutes 65,000Rp Mataram to Kuta Lombok 2 hours 200,000Rp Mataram to Senaru 2 hours 300,000Rp If you would like a reliable driver for the day or for just transfer to and from the airport. Per day is 400,000Rp. Or airport transfers for: Mataram to Senggigi 80,000Rp Mataram to Kuta Lombok 270,000Rp Mataram to Senaru 370,000Rp Mataram to Gili Islands 150,000Rp includes car transfer and boat to any of the Gili Islands. Boats only go to Gili Islands around 10.00am so needs to be an early flight for connections. You can contact call or SMS Toni directly on +62 819 1707 6014 or 0819 1707 6014 in Indonesia. This is a hand phone so if booking by SMS please provide your name, flight number, arrival time and destination. Accommodation/hotels on Lombok Below is a list of hotels for all budgets, including budget hotels, business hotels and beach resorts. Included are current 2009 prices and contact details: For Accommodation in the various areas of Lombok check out the individual Lombok accommodation pages with pictures, prices, contact details and hotel reviews submitted by travelers who contribute to these pages:
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