About Lombok
Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, of volcanic origin. It is part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali in the West and Sumbawa to the East.
The Lombok Strait marks the passage of the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia that is known as the Wallace Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major biomes
The island's topography is dominated by the stratovolcano Mt. Rinjani, which rises to 3.726m (12.224ft), making it the third-highest in Indonesia. On its hillsides you will find green lush forest, rice-terraces and beautiful waterfalls.
The most developed center in the west is Senggigi, spread in a 30-kilomter strip along the coastal road north of Mataram, while divers congregate on the Gili Islands off the west coast.
The southern part of the island is a fertile plain where corn, coffee, tobacco and cotton grow. One of its popular destinations is Kuta, known for its untouched beaches and where surfing is considered some of the best in the world.
On the total area of 4.725km2 (1.825 sq mi) are living 2.950.105 (2005) people, 85% are Sasak, whose origins are thought to have migrated from Java in the first millennium BC. Since the Sasaks population practice Islam, the landscape is punctuated with mosques and minarets, in the traditional Sasak villages you can find the rural life of a unique culture.
Other residents include 10-15% Balinese, with the small remainder being Chinese, Arab, Javanese and Sumbawanese.
First known society on Lombok was the kingdom of Sasak, Selaprang. In 1674 the Dutch first visited Lombok and settled eastern most part of the island, leaving the western half to be ruled by a Hindu dynasty from Bali. The Sasaks chafed under Balinese rule, and a revolt in 1891 ended in 1894 with the annexation of the entire island to the Netherlands East Indies. Since the Declaration of Independence on 17th August 1945 Lombok is part of Indonesia.
Lombok appears to be on the verge of a tourist boom. With the commercialization of Bali over the past few years, and with the accompanying traffic and reduction in open, natural spaces, many tourists are discovering the charm of "Undiscovered" Lombok.
With this new interest comes the development of a number of posh boutique resorts, especially in the area around Senggigi, serving quality food and drinks, but just a stones throw away from rural, unspoiled countryside-much as Bali was decades ago.
Gili, in Sasak means "island". These three are clustered together just off the northwest coast of Lombok. Coral gardens abound in clear waters around the islands. Gili Air, the nearest island, can be reached in 10 to 15 minutes by outrigger boat from Bangsal harbour, near Pamenang.
 Senggigi, south of Bangsal, belongs to the most scenic and most popular beaches on the island of Lombok with good accommodation facilities. Coral gardens grow in the sea just off shore. |
Mount Rinjani, a 3.726 meter high active volcano, is one of the highest mountains in Indonesia. At the floor of the volcano's huge caldera is the sickle shaped crater lake Segara Anakan, surrounded by steep walls. The mountain is popular with hikers. Sembalun Bumbung and Sembalun Lawang are two traditional Sasak villages on the slopes of Rinjani.   |
A village on the slope of the mountain Batu Lante, 60 kilometers south of Sumbawa Besar, where the houses are built in traditional architectural style. |
Not active at present, the 2.820 meters high volcano Tambora. Infamous for its savage eruption on July 5 -July 15, 1815 where falling debris, hot gases and lava streams killed more than 12,000 people. Some 44,000 more perished of hunger in the aftermath of the explosion. The top, now a big caldera has two colored lakes. From the rim of the crater the view over the rest of the island, the sea, Mt. Rinjani, and the island of Lombok in the distance is breathtaking. The mountain occupies almost the entire Sanggar peninsula. |
Moyo Island, at the mouth of the Bay of Saleh, has a nature reserve with wild oxen, deer, wild boars and a great variety of bird species. Visits are best made during the dry season from June through August. |
The former palace of the Bima sultanate is now being turned into a museum. Daras village two kilometers from the town of Bima in eastern Sumbawa, is believed to have been the seat of the ancient Bima kingdom. |
Ship wrights still make sailboats the traditional way in this port town on Sumbawa's east coast. Sape is a convenient point of departure for trips to Komodo Island, home of the prehistoric Komodo lizards.   |
Other good beaches are found at Talolai and Hangawera north of Bima and Lunyuk on the south coast of Sumbawa. |
Beautiful beach with white sand located on the Indian Ocean. It is known for its big and long waves which is good for surfing. The beach surrounded by lovely panorama. The distance from Dompu is 37 km, it can be reached by car and has modest accommodation for visitors. |
A calm beach with white sand nicely located on the Bima bay with a beautiful small island called Pulau Kambing (island of goat). There are fish ponds and garoso trees (tropical fruit trees) along the beach. Local people spend here their holidays. |
Located 60 km from Bima and be reached by car. It has white sand and big waves, suitable for surfing.
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