Beautiful Lombok

Beautiful Lombok

The Week Business magazine ( USA ) wrote , “ Indonesia will be the greatest tourism destination in the world “.It is a new paradise island called Lombok, which means “chili pepper” in Indonesia . But in the local language the native say, it also means “straight as a road” and, therefore, ”honest”. It is 1.774 square miles and 2.3 million lie some 50 miles east of the Indonesian archipelago’s most famous island, supremely beautiful yet sadly overdeveloped bali.

The island was first described in English by Alfred Russel Wallace, the great naturalist who shaped the theory of evolution with Charles Darwin. On Lombok you know how it was in the old days-not just the early 20th Century, but the 19th. The beauty of the landscape is relatively unspoilt – ideal countryside for trekking and those with an adventurous spirit.

Places of Interest  

West Lombok

Narmada Park

This magnificent park is situated ten kilometers east of Cakranegara Mataram on the main east to West Lombok highway.

The small hills and lake within this park replicate the land and crater lake at the top of Mt.Rinjani, Lombok ’s highest and most sacred mountain.

The beautiful tample of Narmada Park is dedicated to Shiva and named “ Pura Kalasa “ after a sacred river in India.

Lingsar

Lingsar is situated in the north of Narmada and has a Hindu temple which is widely regarded as the most sacred Hindu shrine in Lombok .This temple, built in 1714, is situated next to worshipping area , belonging to a sect practicing indigenous Animistic Belief or Animism.

The two differing religious groups combine their Animistic beliefs once a year as they joint together for a ceremony to welcome the beginning of the rainy season. The “ Topat War “ ceremony begins with each party worshipping in their respective temples. They then congregate outside and start throwing small packages of cooked rice wraped in coconut leaves, called “ketupat”, at each other.

Suranadi / Sesaot

Situated to the east of Narmada, Suranadi has one of the most holy Hindu temples in Lombok.

The temple’s relaxing surroundings include several springs and a pond full of fish. Suranadi itself boasts a natural park/forest area, which is home to a variety of birds whose tuneful melodies can be heard by visitors.

Senggigi

Situated ten kilometers north of Mataram , Senggigi is Lombok ’s oldest and most famous resort area.

A perfect place to relax, Senggigi boast a series of white sandy beaches and a save swimming area, which also provides some good waves for surfers, as well being home to a colorful reef which provides shelter to a variety of marine life and exquisitely shaped coral – a perfect place to snorkel. Senggigi caters to all wallets. Expensive restaurant and small cafes line the main street; accommodation ranging from luxury hotel to small, comfortable bungalows is available.

Gili Air, Gili Meno , Gili Trawangan

the Gili islands, as they are known collectively, are located some 20 kilometers north of Senggigi and within 30 to 60 minutes of the north west coast. Each island boast excellent beaches and diving tanks to extensive coral reefs that an circle each island. It is these coral reefs that are home to the blue coral-a coral said to grow in only two places in the world-the Caribbean and here, off the coast of Lombok.

Traditional boats (perahu) departing from Bangsal(north of malimbu) ferry passengers out to any of the islands.

Gili Trawangan which takes sixty minutes by boat mainly offers relatively cheap accommodation while Gili Air (only twenty fife minutes) offers the best range of accommodation.

Gili Meno (thirty five minutes) is the least developed or crowded of the islands and therefore is perfect for relaxing.

Pusuk – the monkey forrest

Situated in the hills to the east of malimbu, Pusuk has fantastic views as well as fascinating wildlife.

The forest here is home to many species of monkey, most of whom are not afraid to come close to visitors.

East Lombok

Loyok Central Handicraft

Situated about 38 Km from Mataram, Loyok and its surrounding area, is famous for the bamboo craft that it produces. Many local design are created by skilled craftsmen working studiously each day on an amazing array of products.

Tete Batu

Located further North along the road from Loyok, Tete Batu village is situated on the slopes of Mt.Rinjani, Lombok ’s highest mountain. The views of this awesome giant are breathtaking ; a swim in the local water is also breathtaking as it is very cold.

Sembalun Lawang

Situated on the cool Eastern slopes of Mt.Rinjani like a lost secret mountain hideaway, Sembalun Lawang which resides in the remains of a huge caldera, offers impressive views of the awesome mountain. Rinjani from Sembalun Lawang appears so close, you could touch it. From here the climb to the top is a lot closer.

Grave of Selaparang

It’s sacred grave of Selaparang King. This grave is located at Presak village, Pringgabaya. It’s about sixty-five kilometers from Mataram.

Central Lombok

Sukarara

This traditional village lies 28 Km south – east of Mataram has a bustling weaving industry which still employs the skill handed down from generation to generation. This traditionally trained villagers produce an exquisite array of fine woven cloths, using cotton, silk, or gold and silver to create their original design, for which Lombok is now famous.

Penujak

Further south from Sukarara, the village of Penujak is still less than an hour by car from Mataram. Villagers here are employ age – old skill in the creation of earthenware, produce in many appealing shapes and design. Experienced female potters pass down their skill to the next generation in a traditional ceremony called “turun temurun”.

Sade and Rambitan

The villages of Rambitan and sade are situated about nineteen kilometers South of Praya , the capital of Central Lombok . Despite catering to many visitors, this traditional Sasak villages still offer a glimpse of life as it must have once been especially the traditional thatched architectural design of the dwellings, with their soaring roofs. In their beautiful settings, surrounded by lush green rice fields, this villages also offer visitors the opportunity of trying their hand at weaving “gedogan” using simple looms.

Kuta Beach

On the ruggedly beautiful South coast, lies the impressive white sandy expanse of Kuta beach. The beach is a perfect place to wander, at low tide, among a plethora of shells, coral and other marine life. Accomodation with in the mid ring bracket to luxurious is found here, many of which line the main beach.

The people of Lombok call this pristine beach “Putri Nyale”. Every year on tenth month of the Sasak calender. (February or March), the “Bau Nyale” ceremony is held which local people join together at night to catch sea worms by torchlight, while eerily singing “Pantun” ( traditional poetry).

Tanjung A’an Beach

Pantai Tanjung A’an (A’an cape beach) is located on a cape on Lombok ’s South coast. It is a beautiful white shiny beach and is an ideal place to sunbathe, while admiring the surrounding beauty.

Mawun Beach

To the West of Kuta, this sheltered beach is located between two hills offering spectacular views and pristine white sand. It is an ideal place to swim or just relax on the beautiful beach.

North Lombok

Mount Rinjani and Segara Anak Lake

Standing at a majestic 3726 meters , Mt.Rinjani located in the north of Lombok, is the second highes peak in Indonesia .

For the people of Lombok-Sasak and Balinese alike – this mountain is sacred place where, at the summit, the holy gods live.

A large crater lake”Segara Anak”, located at 2,000 meters above sea level is the destination of many pilgrim, who make the annual trek up the steep slopes in order to place offerings to the god in the lake itself.

Within the breathtaking crater lake has appeared a new and active volcano called Mount Baru Jari. Nearby is a hot spring which is said to cure disease.

To climb such an impressive mountain is an unforgettable experiences. Starting points for such a trek can begin at Senaru in the North-this two or three days trek attacks Rinjani from the West and means a descent to the awesome crater lake before again climbing up and out and attempting to reach the summit. Alternatively, a more direct route to the summit(which misses out Segara Anak Lake ) can be reached from Sembalun, effectively this route attacking Rinjani from its eastern slopes.

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