Diving in Lombok

Lombok is not only recognized for its beautiful and exotic beaches, but also the beauty of underwater world. If you're diver, then coming to Lombok will give you some diving heaven spots.

From beginners level or experienced one, Lombok has everything that you can enjoy diving activities.

Here are some diving Areas :

• Gili Islands
  
  As one of the most popular touris't spot, Gili Island also known for its exotic diving sites.
  
  There is a well-known diving spot here name 'Shark Point'. You can dive to this place in the morning, and if you're lucky, you may meet with sharks (yes, but they're not the big dangerous one, this one is the harmless one).
  
  Another diving spot is 'Volkers Golf', which located about 500 metres on the east direction from Shark Point. This spot has golf course green-floor alike (from where the name Golf came from). If you visit this one, then you can expect to see some bigger sharks and also fish like Mackerel and Doctor fish.
  

• Senggigi
  
  The beach is beautiful and exotic, and here are some diving spots you can try.
  
  
  • Malimbu Cave
    Approximately 15 m slope down under, filled with rocks and sandy patches all in corals coverage. Stingrays often found here, enormous reef fishes and sometimes turtles. Deep down the shallower part, there are some caves, but these caves can only be visited with appropriate condition.
    
    
  • Nipah Slope
    It's about 60m long, down-way, with 25m width and full with beautiful corals. If you're lucky, you may find turtles and some white reef sharks. Many kinds of shrimps and crabs can also be found hidden between the corals.
    
    
  • Malimbu Slope
    Down way with 30m long, this stretched slope has bottom part full of numerous coral reefs. Here you can see sharks, barracudas, leaf fish, eagle rays, and many more.

Diving in Gili Island

• South Lombok
  
  • The Magnet
    This is an open sea pinnacle, coming up from around 80m deep level sea to the surface. In this diving spot, you can see a brigade of big fish : rainbow runner, tuna, barracuda, and mackerel. The hammerhead sharks also can be seen, of course if you're lucky. As it's only big fish and deeper diving level here, this will need an advance level of divers.
    
    
  • The Skull
    This diving spot come up from 40m below sea level to the surface and fully covered with soft corals. You'll got some big fish action here : mackerels, grey reef sharks, stingrays, tunas, black tips and more.
    

So many diving spots, right? Well, I can suggest that whether you're a good diver or not, or never tried diving before, you can try it here in Lombok. Rest assured that you'll find some magic on this beautiful Island.


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Image Source : http://www.lombokdiving.com

Gili Trawangan – The Exotic and Untouched Beach

After Senggigi Beach, one the popular tourist resorts in Lombok is the three islands surround Lombok island : Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Gili Meno. The largest, most popular and beautiful with white sand beach and green water sea is Gili Trawangan.

With only 7000 population in the island, it is 3 km long and 2 km wide. Among two other Gilis, Gili Trawangan has enormous facilities for tourists, even a pub claims that it's the smallest island in the world that has an Irish pub.

The eastern part of the island is the most crowded one. No motor vehicles are allowed in Gili, so for transportation, you can use rented bicycles, or Cidomo, a traditiona small horsedawn carriage. If you plan to go to Gilis, you can use motor boats or speedboats, that departed from Bangsal (local sea port near Gili), or even directly from Senggigi or Padang Bai (Bali).

The white sand beach in Gili Trawangan

People in Gili Trawangan has the origins from Sulawesi, and recognized as tough and brave fishermen. Before it's development, the island was covered with forest surrounding it, and some animals like deers, live on the forest's island.



The beach in Gili Trawangan considered one of the best in the world. Covered with white sand, you can go snorkelling or surfing to explore the beauty of Lombok underwater.


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Image source : petraintheworld.wordpress.com

Mount Rinjani – Hiking to the Top of Lombok Island

From deep down the sea, now I'll ask you to explore the high level : mountain. Not only Lombok recognized with its beauty for the beaches and underwater world, but its only mountain, Mount Rinjani, also great to explore and become one of the best Indonesia's National Park.

The primary access to Mount Rinjani is from Senaru (in the north part), and Sembalun Lawang (in the east part). The most popular Rinjani trekking route is start from Senaru, and then climb up to the crater rim, named Plawangan, then going a little bit down to the stunning crater lake, and finally to Sembalun Lawang. This trek route is the most popular, and one of the best trekking in South East Asia.


The main activities in Rinjani set on Senaru, where Rinjani Trek Centre located. Senaru also the most well-known point of start to hike. With good cooperation with another institutions (Tourism Industry, Local communities, and National Park), the Centre keep and protect Rinjani environment.

Popular Sightseeings

The Rinjani Park lies within the major transition zone (Wallacea) where South East Asia specias took evolution change into that what is also known as Australasia. Enormous type of plants and animals can be found here. But due to the rainforest cover, sometimes it's difficult to spot.

There are numerous colorful birds live in the forests inside the Park. The Park's most popular icon of the Park is the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, which can't be found in any other part of West of Lombok.


Rinjani Trek Centre

The center offers the whole information, displays, and other useful data for visitors on the trek, as well as the National Park's landmark, a little bit of Sasak culture explanation and activities available in Senaru.

Some information include park interpretation maps, village walks, and guidelines. Trek arrangements can be made here (including the customised one), cultural tours and store for local handicrafts products.

Park Fees

Fees are paid at the Rinjani Trek Centre. The fees is then accumulated for maintenance and management of the National Park, route, village attractions and other visitor facilities.

Guides and Porters

If you need assistance in walking up the trek, there are many licensed guides and porters that can make your hiking experience become easier. It takes about three days and two nights to trek from Senaru via the spectacular crater lake, Sembalun Lawang. If you want to explore the summit of Mt. Rinjani, you will need more time to do so.

All trek arrangements can be made and paid for at the Rinjani Trek Centre. If you think that you're better do the trekking without a guide, please ensure that you have basic knowledge of mountaineering , its safety, and well equipped.

Ready to trek to the top of the Lombok Island?

Cidomo – Lombok's Traditional Transportation

If you visit Lombok, you'll see one of the oldest transportation used by many people in the island. Usually the use this kind of transportation in traditional market, and or some popular tourist areas, like Gili Island and Senggigi. Especially in Gili Island, motor vehicles are not allowed to be used, thus Cidomo become the only one transportation vehicle.

It's called Cidomo, which stands for Cikar (Ci), Dokar (Do) and Mobil (Mobil), and simply described as small horse-drawn carriage. The tires used (two tires on the right and left side) is from used cars. There are hundreds cidomos operated around Mataram, and often used for people going to and from destinations that can only access by small roads.

The money you have to pay for taking cidomos varies on your destinations. One cidomo can have 4-5 passengers with similar or nearby destinations. You can negotiate the price with cidomo operator ('kusir' in Bahasa Indonesia) for the payment.

Although motor vehicles become more and more used by people in Lombok Island, Cidomo is still survive not only because it's environment friendly (it doesn't used any gasoline, etc), but by its need and loving by the local people. You should try one when you visit Lombok!

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Image Source : colloidfarl.blogspot.com

Kuta Beach - It's Even More Than Bali

Short Description

The landscape is spectacular, with cliffs and mountains to the coast, creating landscapes and awesome views and landscapes. The beaches are considered among the best in Indonesia, with pure white sand and blue-green water. As Kuta has some of the best surf spots in the world, the nature of most of the tourists are surfers.

Kuta also have a wide range of accommodations and restaurants, not only for backpackers, but also to higher level of travelers as well. Many travelers come to Kuta just read a book and relax on the beach, rent a bike, or have a short nap in the afternoon.

The village of Kuta offering everything you need for a traveler, such as towels, souvenir, clothing, tropical fruits and many more. But the nearest place to buy accommodation supplies and the book is on a trip to Praya. The city is also the closest place with a bank and ATMs to get local money.

Most of Kuta, the natural character is a picturesque fishing village. Local people who live in cluster housing (known as Kampung) and strongly influenced by tourism. Passengers can travel along dirt roads and ensure the normal operation of the day from the villagers. The food is cooked in the wood, the children are living a carefree life, playing on the beach, climb trees, etc. Although most do not speak English that often greets you on the terrace with a glass of local Lombok coffee.

Kuta is a surfing Mecca, the beach has world class reef, shore and point breaks along the coast. Personal transportation is the best transportation mode to access the surfing spots. You should pay thousands of Rupiahs for a local guy to keep the bike when you’re surfing, since there have been thefts in the south of Lombok.

Some Popular Kuta Surf Breaks

• Air Guling: Air Guling is a coast at the west part of Kuta. The break is just a paddle from the beach, and a sharp right turn, which may be too low during a major storm. Continue to the west of Kuta, we can see the mountain from the other side. If you climb a little, you just can see a very beautiful panoramic view of the beach!
  

• Seger Reef: The nearest break in the village of Kuta, the reef gives a good range and is excellent in heavy conditions. It is a very popular destination during the quarter, the tide this afternoon, especially after heavy rains during the rainy season. Walk past the Novotel hotel, turn right after the small bridge, turn right and continue until the road is sealed. Parking is free at last, with a small hill which viewers can get a spectacular view of the surroundings.
  

• Gerupuk: Breaking most popular Kuta. There are two breaks here, while others appear under appropriate conditions. You should hire boatman in the village for access to case (Rp 50.000 for 1 person face to Rp 25.000 to RP 20,000 each for 2-3 mm).
  
  
  Surfing at Gerupuk
  
  
  

  Ship to wait 2-3 hours for the tour. To come here, go east for 20 miles (approx 10-15 minutes), and pay parking fees Rp 1000.

We can guarantee that after visiting and doing surfing in Lombok's Kuta, you can say that it's more beautiful and natural compare to its sister Bali's Kuta.
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Image Source : http://wikitravel.org/en/Kuta_(Lombok)
Image Source : http://www.saltwater-dreaming.com

Senggigi - The Beautiful Beach Of Lombok

A Little Introduction

Senggigi, as one of tourist destination in Lombok, also considered as the most important beaches in Lombok Island. It is crossed by two lines along south west of Ampenan and continues north to the North Lombok.

Senggigi is situated on the west coast of Lombok, about 15-20 minutes north of the Nusa Tenggara Barat capital city , Mataram, and the airport Selaparang. You can go there by airport taxi, which costs around the cost of Rp 85,000.

If you plan to get more comfortable, some of the old pick-up hotel offers transportation to and from the airport. In the other hand, tourists also traveled from Bali prefer to take a fast ferry, all goes directly to at Senggigi and the Gili islands. Travel agents and can help with some normally require transportation.

Some Nice Tourist ‘s Spot

• Senggigi is the starting point for tourism activities in Lombok. Do not suffer from Mataram, as you can go to see many other places and returned to the same hotel every night. Provided with a private car and driver for your transportation, travel agents can arrange full day tour for you with only Rp. 350,000, or less if you join a group.
  

• Pura Batu Bolong, 7 miles to south direction of Senggigi. The Pura (a Hindu temple) size is small and located in panoramic location on a promontory with very nice view to Senggigi beach. It is named from two Indonesian words, 'batu' (rock), and 'bolong' (hole).
  
  
  
  The tip is an empty chair, which is a representation of Brahma, the God of Creation. Free admission to enter the pura, but had to "borrow" a Sash (Rp5, 000 pass) from one of the keeper. When you see sunset from here, it's very impressive and fantastic view.
  

• Kerandangan Beach. Kerangdangan is one of popular destination for Lombok people, especially on Sundays. People come to explore and socialize or sit on the beach or on the grass in the back of Warung. Some people often swim, then a snack 'sate' and others made by villagers.

Activities

Many activities centered around Senggigi. You can do snorkeling, diving, or hiking. If you love surfing, there are many shops around the are, however there are also better areas in Lombok for doing this. You can also enjoy traditional massage therapy provided by the local Sasak women on the beach.

To indulge yourself after doing half-day activities, many spa treatments also available around the beach to make your day perfect.driving in Senggigi.

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Image Source : http://wikitravel.org/en/Senggigi

Lombok Island in Short Description

Lombok is name of an island in the Province of West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. As part of the lesser Sunda Islands, with Lombok Bali strait divide it from the west and in the east part the Alas Strait, between it and Sumbawa.

Its shape is almost circular, with a "tail" in the southwest, about 70 kilometers and a total land area of about 4725 km ² (1.825 sq. miles). Its largest city, Mataram, is also administrative and government official office. In Bahasa Indonesia, the word Lombok has meanings as ‘chilly’, while in local Lombok language (Sasak), “Lombok” means straight.


Short Description

Lombok has many similarities in common (e.g. culture, language, and origins) with the near Bali Island, but less known and less frequently visited by foreigners. Efforts has been don’t to increase the visibility of tourists in many years before , and promoting itself as a "virgin Bali”. Most important tourism spot is Senggigi, spread in a strip of 10 kilometers along the coast road north of Mataram, while backpackers come together, off the west coast, in the Gili islands .

Other popular destinations include Kuta (obviously different from Bali's famous Kuta beach), where surfing is said to be one of the best in the world by leading surfing magazines. Kuta area is also well-recognized for its untouched, natural and beautiful beaches.


Culture

85% people living in Lombok is Sasak, culturally and linguistically closely related to the Balinese, but unlike the Bali’s Hindu, they are Muslim. A leading non-orthodox Islamic groups that exist only in Lombok is Wektu Telu ( "Three Prayers"), which as the name suggests pray only three times a day, rather than the required five times in the Quran.

Language

Sasak, a local language, is used by people in Lombok, as well as Bahasa Indonesia. English is widely used common in tourist areas.


Weather and Time

While Lombok has tropical weather, with characteristic of hot and humid, Lombok is more drier comparing to Bali, so that it’s very attractive option for the period October-December. Besides that, it also has rainy season, although it’s not come too often. Domestic and International tourists come to Lombok mostly from May to August.

Lombok Time Zone is GMT+08, similar with Bali and Makasar, described as WITA (Waktu Indonesia Tengah, or Indonesia Central Zone).

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