|
|
||
|
|
Day Time Temp: 28 - 31°C |
|
|
|
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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. |
Sembilan
Pulau Tour Company and Multimedia Service
Phone : +62 370 6650238 Fax : +62 370
693860
Voice / Text: +62 8175773060 |
Copyright ©2006 - 2008 9Pulau http://lombokhotelandtravel.com
Last updated February 1st, 2008