In the past if you asked anybody who had traveled extensiveley around Indonesia to give their impressions of Lombok, the answer would gone along the lines of, "Bali ten years ago" "glorious empty beaches," "laid back friendly people" and " a beautiful relaxed paradise island."
Anybody who had spent any time in Lombok, myself included, was incredulous about the events that took place in mid January this year and catapulted the island onto world stage. Image of terrified refugee, smoking churches together with tales of flight from armed gangs were swirled around the media to such an extent that the tourism industry literally died overnight.However nobody was more shocked than the people of Lombok who have lived harmoniously together for centuries and pride themselves on their acceptance of all cultures and ways of life.
Cases of unprovoked and seemingly well organised violence sparked by unknown "Provacateurs" have been rife in the past two years in Indonesia as the country continues to free itself from the shackles of the Soeharto regime and embrace a new and vibrant democracy. These are exciting and ground-breaking times but the struggle was never going to be easy. Thirty two years of entrenchment does not disappear overnight. Whoever was to blame for the Lombok violence, the people of the island are determined that the situation will never occur again. Ironnically the black days of January have brought the community closer together, something that was very evident at the recent cultural parade held in Mataram on March 4.
Representatives from all the major communities that coexist in Lombok put together a highly successful even which featured colorful parades and dances and ended in a communal vow that the peace would not disturbed again. To anybody visiting the island now the communal spirit is hard to ignore; the buildings destroyed by the few are being rebuilt by the many. The most important thing to all concerned is that peace has returned to the island, rendering it not only safe but a fascinating place for tourists to visit while on holiday in the area.
Getting to Lombok is easy from Bali. There are regular flights from Java on Garuda, a ferry services and two high speed catamarans, Mabua Express and Bounty Cruises, which leave daily from Benoa.
Among the island`s most popular attractions are the stunning beaches and clear water of the Gili Isles, speckled pearls in the ocean that have been attracting dive enthusiasts and travelling beach bums for decades. Devoid of traffic and roads, life on Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan and Gili Air is extremely laid back, the perfect escape for those tired of city life. The centre of Lombok is dominated by the spectacular crater of Mount Rinjani, one of Indonesia`s highest peaks and a serious challenge to the more adventurous and energetic traveller. The lowers slopes of Rinjani are home to beautiful picturesque craft villages where traditional weaving, pottery and carving are the local industries, exporting to Bali, Jakarta and Beyond.
Further south lie the bustling game fish market at Tanjung Luar and the famous south coast beaches which surround the fishing village of Kuta, another popular destination for foreign visitors.
Here the climate is more arid compared to the fertile north and the landscape more similar to something out the Wild West than tropical Asia to the north. After making your way through hills of dense greennery, the vibrant green of sculptedrice paddies, clear flowing rivers and surrounding jungle, to be suddenly on a wide arid plain punctuated only by desert shrubs and rocks is a little surprising. If you blink you might miss the border where recognisable tropical Asia ends and a landscape more in tune with an African savanna envelopes you without warning. Lombok has long been compared to Bali and is often referred to as how Bali was 50 years ago.
In reality however the island is very different from its westerly sister in culture, religion, language and landscape. The physical differences are immediately apparent. Respected naturalist Sir Alfred Wallace gave his name to the line which he believed ran between Bali and Lombok, separating the tropical climates to the west from the more arid climates to the east. He recognised several major differences between the fauna and mammals which lived on both island and concluded that Bali was still geographically part of Asia while Lombok marked the beginning of a greater Australia in term of plants and wildlife. As you head towards Kuta it is easy to see where Wallace got his inspiration. Leaving the dusty plain behind, the roads winds through dry rocky hills until suddenly a flash af blue appears around the corner and within minutes you meet the untouched beauty of the coast.
For those who associate the name Kuta wirh busy streets, pumping clubs and over enthusiastic hawkers, Kuta Lombok provides a verry different picture. On an island where Cidomo(horse drawn carts) seem to outnumber the cars, traffic is never a problem. In Kuta it is non existent. The long white beaches are empty, the sea is a sparkling blue and you seem to have the place to yourselves. Accommodation includes anything from cheap losmen(guest houses) to the impressive
Novotel Coralia Resort(0370-653333) which offers all the southern comfort you could possibly require for an extended stay. Situated right on a stretch of glistening white sand, the resort gains its architectural inspiration from traditional thatched Lumbung houses of neighbouring villages which are used to store rice. If you like to get out and explore, the road west from Kuta takes you through spectacular scenery past the stunning beaches at Mawun and Selong Balanak.
Here, miles of white sand lie secluded by forests of palm and rocky headlands, that jut out into ocean creating a widly beautiful landscape.
There also no hotels, restaurants or sarong sellers just the village childern playing on the sand and fisherman bringing in tha daily haul.
If you have come to Indonesia to experience the sea, South Lombok feature some of the best surfing in the country, excellent snorkelling and dive sites and great opportunities for big game fishing. For surving, Kuta reef gives a good ride in the rihgt conditions as do Mawun and Silung Balanak to the west.Alternatively go east to Grupuk, a ten minute drive from Kuta and charter a local fishing boat out to a more consistent swell or go further on to Ekas which offers two world class wave. Now is an excellent time to visit Lombok. For your currency rate, se the main page under the name of currency rate it will be update every saturday. And for those looking to escape the crowds and truly relax in the sun, the island is waiting to be discovered and explored.
************************************************************************************
