introduction

Lombok is an island in the West Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia. Its total area is 4,725 km. Lombok is separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait. Mataram is the administrative capital and largest city of the island.

surfing

The surfing dream continues on to the Island of Lombok. A lot of far less crowded options here, suiting both newcomers to the region or those with Bali burnout. Surf camps and tours abound, be wary and do your research, you will not be disappointed.

travel

There are many ways of getting around Indo: by plane, bus, car, boat, train, ojek or becak. The last one, pronounced as "BEH-chuck", is a tricycle (pedicab) transportation mode for short distances such as residential areas in many cities. The better your communication skills are, the less you will pay and check the cost beforehand. By the way, there are no becak in Jakarta. Instead, there is the motorized bajaj (BAH-jai). In some other provinces (eg. North Sumatra, Aceh) there are motorbikes with sidecars, known as bentor (short for becak bermotor).

Ojek is motorcycle taxi, which you may want to take if you're in such a hurry that you're willing to lose a limb to get there.

Car is not the safest way to travel as well – rules on the roads are ignored, driving on the road shoulder is common, buses speed like maniacs and stop without warning, pedestrians cross the road anywhere, even across highways…and police is not doing anything about this mess. So it’s your decision, mates. Just in case you still decide to hire a car, the traffic moves on the left in Indonesia.

Not sure if you should consider bus as well…drivers are often drunk, on drugs or just reckless; keep an eye on your bags at all times and avoid overnight journeys in the wilder parts of the country (notably South Sumatra).

Travelling by plane is probably the safest option, though the safety record of the smaller companies is dubious. But the good thing is that a select a few carriers, such as Garuda, Lion Air, and Mandala among others, have recently bought brand new planes straight from an aircraft manufacturer which have replaced some of the older planes in their fleet. So the situation is a bit better, though be prepared that many carriers have poor on-time records and frequent cancellations.

Ferries are very popular and with PELNI (the largest company) you can go to practically every inhabited island in Indonesia. But as usual, safety records are poor, so look for safety devices on board and postpone your trip if the weather is bad.

Java by far has the best railway network; some parts of Sumatra are covered as well. Journey will take quite a long time, but the scenery is a bonus. Be aware of theft and lock your doors at night.

where to stay

Novotel located approximately and hour drive from Mataram, could be a good choice if travelling with children, as the resort was built with children's needs in mind- featuring an interesting swimming pool design and sport areas specifically made for kids.

The Oberoi Lombok, located on Medana Beach is the ideal hideway hotel. It is known as the most expensive hotel in Lombok but can be great for those who are looking for a luxurious stay.

Private villas are becoming more popular in Lombok.  Prices vary widely depending on the facilities offered but realistically you'll be looking at $200 per night for anything with a decent location and a private pool. The top of the range can easily reach $1,000 per night.

what to pack

A small backpack makes a good carryon bag and thongs will be useful for every day use.

Trainers, appropiate clothing for the weather, insect repellent, sunscreen and sunglasses and neccessities. Remember to take medication for emergency use, as you may not be able to communicate with locals there!
You’ll need short sleeved t-shirts, shorts and long trousers (pants) and probably a light jacket or pullover for the more blustery days and evenings and sun cream for days out on the water. In winter bring long trousers (pants), warm pullovers, warm waterproof coats, scarves, hat and gloves!!

Bring plenty of memory for digital cameras and bring plenty of batteries. Take your snorkelling gear with you – you won’t regret. And take a good protection for your camera from the sand. 

You must be a registered user to comment. Click here to register.