ATTRACTION AND ACTIVITIES

source : The Lombok Guide Magazine

Getting around Lombok is easy by car or motorbike and you can hire these in all the main tourism area, with an International Drivers License. The roads are generally in good condition and traffic is light. Alternatively, hire a car and drive for exploring or take part in the tours and day trips offered by the many tour agencies on the island.

BEACHES

The whole island is surrounded by fantastic beaches, most of which are covered is clean white sand and fringes by coconut palms. Drive just north of Senggigi to Malimbu or Nipah and enjoy deserted beaches with fine snorkeling and swimming. The southwest coast  also has fine beaches, especially around Sekotong and Taun.

Visit the small island of Gili Nanggu for rustic accommodation and great snorkeling just off shore or stay at Secret Island Resort on Gili Gede to explore the twelve other undeveloped islands in the southwest. The beaches around Kuta are breathtaking beautiful. Visit Gerupuk for fantastic scenery, Kuta for long stretches of white sand and turquoise waters, or swim in the peaceful lagoon at Mawun.

DIVING

With so many beaches and small islands, Lombok offers a myriad of diving and snorkeling opportunities. The best known locations are around the Gili islands Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. Snorkelling is easy from the shore and all three islands are well served by professional dive operators who offer full PADI certification courses, day and night dives to the many sites around the Gilis, as well as specialized courses and live-aboard adventures to exotic locations. For the more adventurous, there is superb diving, around the islands off the southwest coast, as well as near Kuta on the south coast and the small uninhabited islands off the east coast.

SURFING

Lombok is becamoung a world-renown surfing destination among surf enthusiasts world-wide. Huge waves and challenging surf lure die-hards to Bangko-Bangko ( also known as Desert Point) on the south-westren tip of Lombok.

Kuta, on the south coast, is surf-central and has a range of accommodation and services catering specially to surfers.

Here you can hire a board, get board repairs and take surf lesson from professionals.

The waves at Gerupuk and Kuta offer a variety of challenges from beginners to sheer madness!

TREKKING

Much of the islands is still covered by natural rain forest and jungles, making Lombok ideal for ecotourism and adventures tours.

There are a number of spectacular waterfalls on the island which provide lovely trekking opportunities, whether travelling independently or as part of a tour. Sendang Gile on the slope of Mt Rinjani in the north is an easily accessible waterfall in a stunning jungle setting and popular with visitors.

Air Jeruk Manis, near Tetebatu is reached by walking through pretty rice fields and forest.

The awesome Beang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls, in central Lombok are located within a short trek of each other and make a perfect day trip for those who appreciate truly magical natural surroundings.

MOUNTAIN CLIMBING

Mt Rinjanji, Lombok’s famous volcano soars 3726m above sea level and is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, attracting thousands of trekkers and climbers annually. The huge crater near the top contains a beautiful lake, Danau Segara Anak ( Child of the Sea Lake ) and a smaller volcanic cone, Gunung Baru Jari, which was formed a couple of hundred years ago. There are a number of caves, small waterfalls and hot springs located around the volcano.

In 2004 Rinjani won the World Legacy Award and the volcano is recognized internationally  as an important eco-tourism destination. Two, three and four day treks on the volcano are offered by tour companies and trek organizers in all the main resort areas of Lombok.

HISTORIC SITES & TEMPLES

There are a number of interesting temples around the west coast, many of which are Hindu or ancient animist sites of worship.

Pura Lingsar is possibly the only palce in the world where Hindu and Moslems come together to pray and celebrate. Built around 1714, Pura Lingsar was originally based on the prevailing animist beliefs of the time, and come of the original animist statues remain today. Perang Topat, is an annual festival held at Lingsar and features a ritualized war with rice cakes, which also serve as an offering to the God.

Pura Narmada ( or Narmada Temples ), around 10 km east of Cakranegara in Naramada, was created circa 1805 as an replica of Gunung Rinjani and Segara Anak, the lake within Rinjani’s crater. The gardens at Narmada are beautifully maintained and surround the pools and lake.

Pura Suranadi, a complex of three temples located a few kilometers north of Narmada in Suranadi, is the oldest and holiest of the Balinese temples in Lombok, founded by the 16^th-century Javanese priest, Dahyang Niratha. Underground streams bubble up into restored baths, used for ritual bathing. Huge sacred eels live in the pools and streams here, and can sometimes be lured out with an offering of boiled eggs ( purchased at a nearby stall). To see a sacred eel is considered very lucky!

HANDICRAFT VILLAGES

Lombok is famous for its traditional earthenware pottery made from local clay with distinctive “Lombok primitive” designs. You can also purchase hand-woven sarongs and fabrics ( ikat).

Pringgasela in central Lombok is a small village which is steeped in tradition and is a major centre for weaving ikat. Visit the small houses and shops here to purchase traditionally woven, colourful fabrics.

Masbagik, close to Pringgasela, is amll pottery village. Wander the streets and small see the pottery being made in the small yards behind the simple homes here and purchase the wares for amazingly cheap prices.

Sukarara is 5 km to the west of Praya, heading south toward Kuta. This is a weaving village where quality ikat and traditional cloth is displayed and sold. Weavers work outside many of the shops, using antiquated “ back starp looms” to painstakingly produce works of art. Some of the larger pieces can take several months to weave, and collectors from around the world visit this village to purchase the balnkets, sarongs and cloth produced here.

Banyumulek, easily reached on the road south to Lembar Harbour, is an important centre for pottery on Lombok. The small village is packed with shops selling pottery produced in the area, as well as from the other main pottery-making villages such as Penujak and Masbagik. Lombok pottery, with its distinctive terracotta styles, has become famous internationally and is exported throughout the world.