|
Lombok General
Information
People & Religions| Money & Local Currencies
Vehicle Rental| Health Info
Lombok The Hidden Paradise Lombok is an island many people call "Indonesia's Best kept Secret". Lying just to the east of
Bali and accessed by a short 25 minute flight from Denpasar. Lombok is a pearl in the sparkling blue ocean and a haven for those seeking the unspoiled beauty of the
Bali of old. Indeed many people refer to Lombok as Bali 20 years ago, how ever this is incorrect when you consider the landscapes and cultures which are uniquely Lombok. As the old saying goes, "You can see Bali in Lombok, but you can't see Lombok in Bali". 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.
GEOGRAPHY
Lombok
lies 8 degrees south of the equator and stretches some 80km
east to west and about the same distance north to south. It
is dominated by the second highest mountain in Indonesia, GUNUNG RINJANI, which soars to 3726m. It has a large
caldera with a Crater Lake, Segara Anak, 600m below the rim,
and a new volcanic cone which has formed in the center. Rinjani
last erupted in 1994, and evidence of this can be seen in
the fresh lava and yellow sulfur around the inner cone.
Central Lombok, to the south of Rinjani, is similar to
Bali with rich alluvial plains and fields irrigated by
water flowing from the mountains. In the far south and
east it is drier, with scrubby, barren hills. This area
gets little rain and often has droughts which can last
for months. In recent years, several dams have been
built, so the abundant rain-fall of the wet season can
be retained for irrigation throughout the year.
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.
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.
WETU TELU
Wetu telu is a unique religion that blends Islam and Animism and is only found in
north Lombok. Its’ roots stem from the village of Bayan in the north. The people who practice this still consider themselves Muslims but they have their own rituals in addition to the normal Muslim ones. One such ceremony is Nyiu, which takes place 1000 days after someone dies. The relatives of the deceased offer material things like clothing, toothbrushes, food, dishes, mattresses, etc. so the deceased will be pleased in heaven. |
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 arround 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.
Important Contacts
Emergency
Senggigi Tourism Police
Jl. Raya Senggigi
Phone: 0370 632733
Lombok Regional
Police
Jl. Gajah Mada No.7
Ampenan
Call: 110
Hospital
Jl. Pejanggik No.6
Mataram
Phone: 0370 622254
Ambulance Call 118
Immigration
Jl. Semanggi No.10
Mataram
Phone: 0370 632520
Consulates
The are no
Consular service available on Lombok. The major and closes consular
service available in Denpasar Bali. The follwing is the consular list:
AUSTRALIA (also
for consular service for New Zealand and Canadian citizens)
Phone: 0361 241118, Fax:
0370 2882281 Email:
bali.congen@dfat.gov.au
Britain
Phone: 0361 270601, Fax:
0361 287804, Email:
bcbali@dps-centrin.net.id
Denmark & Norway
Phone: 0361 701070, Fax:
0370 701073, Email: mimpi@mimpi.com
Finland & Sweden
Phone: 0361 282223, Fax:
0361 282211
France
Phone: 0361 285485, Fax:
0361 286406, Email:
consul@dps-centrin.id
Germany
Phone: 0361 288535, Fax:
0361 288826, Email:
germanconsulat@bali-ntb.com
Italy
Phine: 0361 701005, Fax:
0361 701005
Japan
Phone: 0361 227628
Spain
Phone: 0361 7692287,
Fax: 0361 769186
Thailand
Phone: 0361 263310, Fax:
0361 238044
The Netherlands
Phone: 0361 761502, Fax:
0361 752777, Email:
dutchconsulate@kcb-tours.com
USA
Phone: 0361 233605, Fax:
0361 222426, Email:
emcobali@indosat.net.id
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. |