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Lombok General
Information
People & Religions| Money & Local Currencies
Vehicle Rental| Health Info
Lombok
Lombok
is only 70 miles from Bali. Lombok island is in West
Nusa
Tenggara provice, Indonesia. Lombok located in between of Lombok
strait separating from Bali to the west and the Alas strait to east of
Sumbawa. It is roughly circular, with a tail to the southwest, about
80 km across and a total area of about 4,725 km2 (1,825 sq mil). The
administrative capital and largest city on the island called Mataram.
Lombok History
The
earliest recorded society on Lombok was the relatively small
kingdom of the Sasak. The Sasak people were
agriculturalists and animists who practiced ancestor and
spirit worship. The original Sasak are believed to have
come overland from north-west India or Myanmar (Burma) in
waves of migration that predated most Indonesian ethnic
groups. Few relics remain from the old animist kingdoms,
and the majority of Sasak today are Muslim, although animism
has left its mark on the culture. Not much is known about Lombok before the 17th century, at which time it was split
into numerous, frequently squabbling states each presided
over by a Sasak "prince" - a disunity exploited by the
neighboring Balinese.
The
Dutch first visited Lombok in 1674 and settled the eastern most part
of the island, leaving the western half to be ruled by Hindu dynasty
from Bali. The Sasak chafed under Balinese rule, and a revolt in 1891
ended in 1894 with the annexation of the entire island to the
Netherlands East Indies.
GEOGRAPHY
The Lombok strait marks
the passage of the biologeographical division between the
fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the disticncly
different fauna of Australia that is known as the Wallace
Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace. who first remaked upon the
distinction between these two major biomes. The island's
topography is dominated by the centrally-located
stratovolcano Mount Rinjani, which rises 3,726 m - 12,224ft,
making it the second highes mount in Indoneisia. There are
no recorded in history about when the first Rinjani erupted.
The most recent eruption of Rinjani - Mount Baru (Rinjani
Baby) was in June - July 1994. The volcano, and its sacred
crater lake Segara Anak (child of the sea), are protected by
a National Park established in 1997.
CLIMATE
In
Lombok's dry season - from June to September - the heat can be
scorching. At night, particularly at higher elevations, the
temperature can drop so much a sweater and light jacket are
necessary. The wet season extends from October and January
– the wettest months.
Flora and Fauna
The fictive ”Wallace Line” which separates Asia from Australia runs north-south between the island of Bali and Lombok. From the island of Lombok eastward, land becomes drier and less fertile. Also, the flora and fauna changes from the rest of Asia. Forests in west Nusa Tenggara are found mostly in mountain areas. Large parts of the Lombok mainland are coastal wetlands, irrigated fields and other wetlands. Extensive dry land areas are found on the island of Sumbawa. Species of plants growing in West Nusa Tenggara have specific importance for the life of the people. Species of plants found in the forests are Kesambi, Bungur, Sonokeling, Mahoni (Mahogani), Teak, Kelicung, Pala, Ipil and Bamboo Tutul. The island has the flower Dysspyros macrophylla as its symbol. Wild animals found on the island include wild pigs, small deer, deer, iguanas, porcupines, turtles and many kinds of poisonous snakes. Many kinds of bird are found here including Pring, Parrots, Bering, Koak Kaok, Cucak Rawa.
People & Religion
The native inhabitants of
Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara) followed a belief in animism. The Sasak are indigenous people in Lombok. Numbering about two million, they are thought to be descendents of a hill tribe in northern India and Myanmar (Burma). After the 16th century, Islam separated from Java and crossed the kingdoms to the Islands of Lombok and
Sumbawa. Nowadays almost 90% of
Lombok people are Muslim. In the 17th century the Balinese came to the west coast of
Lombok Island. Within several decades a kingdom was established, extending the territory of the kingdom of Karang Asem, East of Bali. The Hindu Religion began to settle up on that times. In the beginning of the 18th century, the Dutch colonized the eastern part of Indonesia, including lesser Sunda (Bali,
Lombok across to Timor). Belonging to the Dutch administration of the are they promoted Christian missions.
The island in habitants
are 85% are Sasak, 10 - 15% Balinese, wi th
small reminder being Chinese, Arab, Javanese and
Sumbawanese.
Money & Local Currencies When changing money there are many money changers in Lombok. The best rates are usually in Senggigi. Money changers prefer new, clean large bills and will accept smaller denominations at a lower rate. If you have traveler’s checks the rate will be less than bank notes. Be sure to count your money before you leave money changers. You can also check local banks but the rate is slightly lower than outside. Re-count the money in front of the money changer reception is a must, as usually there's a quick tricky way how they can steal your money. A suggestion when changing money. If you plan on making small purchases be sure to carry small denominations with you because many sellers do not have change. The Rupiah come in denominations of 100.000, 50.000, 10.000, 5.000, 1.000, 500, and 100. Vehicle Rental Dont miss Lombok's beautiful scenery. If you choose to rent a car or motorcycles and drive yourself, you must have an International Driving License. Renting a car is a good alternative to get around Lombok, either self driving or with driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. (Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or dinner). If you are pleased with service, tip ( Rp. 20,000 minimum). If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all cost. Motorcycles are a convenient and inexpensive way to get
around the Island, but Tourists are frequently injured in motorbike accident. If you rent a bike, drive slowly and very defensively. Helmets are required by law but those provided by rental agencies offer little protection.
Business Hours Indonesian work in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. If you need to visit a government office, arrive between
08 AM and 11:30 AM. This also apply to
banks and private businesses. Government offices close early on
Fridays and Saturdays. Generally offices are open 07:30AM - 3 PM
Monday - Thursday, 07:00AM - noon on Friday, banks are closed on
Saturday and Sunday. Cell Phone Cellular phone in Indonesia is GSM. If you have brought your cellular hand phone, you can purchase prepaid calling cards to make outgoing calls at lower cost than calling on your home SIM. Shops which sell thesencards are prolific. Major service providers are: Telkomsel, Satelindo and XL Ritel. Look for signs and banners with those markings. Health & Medical Info Most hotels have on call doctors. For what it is known by Australian as "Bali Belly", Lomotil and Imodium eliminate Symptoms, but not infections. A fever along with the symptoms requires doctor prescribed antibiotics. Drink as much as liquid as possible. For discomfort, diarrhea, and cramping, drink strong, hot tea; avoid fruits and spicy food. Drink only bottled water or boiled water (air putih). Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.
What To Do -
Lombok Activities Lombok spans 90km from north to south and 80km from east to
west. It
boasts untouched, pristine beaches, a bigger volcano,
Mount Rinjani, and a huge variety of different landscapes
and sceneries. Why not take your time to explore Lombok and indulge in
all it has to offer?
Lombok Day Trips,
Lombok Diving, Lombok Golfing,
Lombok Trekking, Lombok Fishing,
Lombok Biking, Lombok Surfing, Lombok
Snorkelling, Lombok Rent Car, Sunbathing,
swimming, world-class spas, adventure/eco tours you
can find it all here in
Lombok!
Things
To Take Back Home Wanting to take back something from Lombok? Lombok has great woven textiles like songkets and ikats that can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations before. There is a traditional hand weaving village in Puyung, central Lombok. You can even try on a traditional Sasak costume.
Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are famous villages in Lombok for making pottery. Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped throughout the world. There is a wide range of selections and it can custom made to your liking. We hope to develop the economy of the area by directly meet them with serious buyer from all over the world. There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir i.e.; wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan. |
