Issue 305 | 23 September – 7 October 2019
FREE COPY
The
LOMBOK GUIDE ( 0812 3734 4894 www.thelombokguide.com
PUBLISHED BI-WEEKLY IN LOMBOK, FOR LOMBOK
Gili Nanggu by Neil Cave
FAST BOAT TRANSFERS BETWEEN BALI, GILI T AND LOMBOK EASY TRANSFERS TO GILI GEDE (SOUTHWEST LOMBOK) Hassle-free bookings - and safe, comfortable transfers every day!
Gili Getaway Ph: +62 811 380 1717 | +62 821 4489 9502 WA: +62 813 3707 4147 | www.giligetaway.com
ONLINE BOOKINGS & INFO
www.giligetaway.com
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GETTING TO LOMBOK
Tourism Information
Wings Air / Lion Air flies between Bali and Lombok daily. The companies code-share, so you may purchase a Lion Air ticket and find yourself on a Wings Air flight! Lombok, Call Centre: +62 80 The airport is close to Praya (Central Lombok); approximately 40km south of the city of Mataram, and around 1 hour drive from 4177 8899. Bali, ph: +62 361 765132. www.lionair.co.id Senggigi, and 25 minutes from Kuta. DOMESTIC FLIGHTS Airport departure tax is included in the price of all tickets. European connections are easy via Jakarta (the capital city of Java), Bali and other capital cities such as Jogjakarta, Surabaya and INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Makassar. Direct flights to Lombok from Bali, Jakarta, Jogja and Lombok International Airport has full Visa on Arrival (VOA) Surabaya are available from multiple airlines every day and are facilities, including 30 day “Visa Free” (no charge) for tourists. Ph: usually timed to connect with European flights. +62 370 622987. Lombok is an important connection for travel to the eastern Air Asia operates direct flights between Lombok and islands, in particular the islands of Sumbawa, Komodo and Flores. Perth, Western Australia four times per week: every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Book cheap flights now through AirAsia operates flights every day onboard Airbus 320 aircraft the AirAsia website. between Lombok, Bali, Jakarta and Yogyakarta. Tickets are available online now at www.airasia.com. AirAsia also flies direct between IN THIS ISSUE Lombok and Kuala Lumpur in Garuda Indonesia has direct flights daily between Lombok and Malaysia, with many international Getting to Bali, Surabaya, Makassar and Jakarta. Call Centre: 08041 807 807. connections available. Flights Lombok Page 2 www.garuda-indonesia.com operate twice daily, seven days per Getting week. www.airasia.com Lion Air / Wings Air has daily flights between Lombok, Bali, Around Page 4 & 8 Lombok Map Page 6 Silk Air (a subsidiary of Singapore Labuhan Bajo (Flores), Bima (Sumbawa), Jakarta, Jogja and Surabaya. Ph: +62 370 6627444 / 642180. www.lionair.co.id Airlines) flies direct between Best in Lombok Page 10 & 11 Lombok and Singapore, three times Batik Air flies direct between Lombok and Jakarta every day. Senggigi Page 12 & 16 per week (Monday, Wednesday www.batikair.com and Friday). Ph: +62 370 628254 / Senggigi Map Page 14 NAM Air operates a flight between Lombok and Bima in 628255. www.silkair.com What's Hot / Sumbawa every day using Boeing 737-500 aircraft. Bookings can Local News Page 18 Garuda Airlines connects Lombok be made online at www.sriwijayaair.co.id. to major destinations around the Special Feature Page 24 & 25 world including London, Singapore, BALI TO LOMBOK BY SEA Amsterdam, Bangkok and more, Special Padang Bai Harbour (Bali) provides the sea link between with a short stop-over in Jakarta. Feature Page 28 mainland Bali and Lombok. Lembar Harbour (Lombok) is on the Call Centre: 08041 807 807. Special southwest coast, approx. 1 hour south of Senggigi. Arrange your www.garuda-indonesia.com Feature Page 34 own transport and buy tickets direct from the harbours, or use a Special BALI TO LOMBOK BY AIR reputable tour company to provide a transfer service. Feature Page 36 & 37 It’s easy to get to Lombok from Useful Public Ferries depart every hour for the sea voyage between Bali – flight time is only around Contacts Page 38 Padang Bai Harbour (Bali) and Lembar Harbour (Lombok). The 40 minutes and fares start from Special crossing between the islands costs Rp 46,000 per person and around Rp 350,000 (approx. US Feature Page 44 $35) one way. Buy tickets online, or takes approx. 4 to 5 hours. Lembar Harbour ph: +62 370 681 209. Classifieds Page 46 & 47 direct from the airline counters at Padang Bai Harbour ph: (+62 363) 41849 / 41840 Land & the domestic airports, or contact FAST BOATS Property Page 51 - 53 local travel agents in both Bali and The Cities Page 54 - 57 There are numerous fast boat services operating between Bali Lombok. and Lombok. Google “Gili Fast Boats” to choose from a range of Cities Map Page 56 In Lombok, all flights depart and operators. Distribution Page 58 arrive at Lombok International The Airport. In Bali, flights arrive and Fast boat companies depart from Padang Bai, Serangan (near Southwest Page 59 - 62 depart at the domestic terminal at Benoa Harbour), Sanur and Amed and connect Bali to Lombok South Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) Airport. (Bangsal Harbour in North Lombok) via the Gili Islands every day. Lombok Map Page 63 AirAsia will operate daily flights Gili Getaway operates several comfortable fast boats Kuta & The between Lombok and Bali starting connecting Bali and mainland Lombok (including the Gili Islands South Coast Page 64 - 73 1 August 2019. Flights are onboard and Gili Gede in southwest Lombok) with daily transfers from Kuta Map Page 71 Airbus 320 aircraft. Tickets are Serangan Harbour on Bali. Fares include air conditioned hotel The Gilis Page 74 - 83 available online now at transfers to main points in Bali. www.airasia.com. Gili Islands Fast Facts Page 79 Garuda Airlines has direct flights They also offer a VIP transfer service from Gili Gede to the south Getting to between Lombok and Bali every day. coast, the cities, Senggigi and other destinations around Lombok. Gilis Page 81 Ph: +62 811 380 1717 or +62 821 4489 9502. Call Centre: 0 8041 807 807. Gilis Map Page 83 (WhatsApp): +62 813 3707 4147. www.giligetaway.com www.garuda-indonesia.com Lombok International Airport (abbreviated to LIA with the IATA code “LOP”) is the main airport on Lombok.
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GETTING AROUND
Tourism Information DAMRI operate a regular schedule of departures every day to coincide with airline schedules. Three airport shuttle services are available – one to and from central Senggigi (LIA Senggigi), another to and from Mataram (LIA - Mataram Pool Damri), and one to and from Selong in East Lombok (LIA – Selong Pancor).
LOMBOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is a relatively small airport that handles domestic flights between Bali, Jakarta and other Indonesian cities and international flights to and from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Perth.
There are official taxi counters inside the arrivals hall that will allocate you a fixed price taxi to most destinations plus charge an additional airport fee of Rp 17,500; however, it is just as easy to walk outside and catch a metered taxi independently.
Officially, the scheduled departure times are every hour for shuttle buses to the city of Mataram and every 1 and 1/2 hours to Senggigi, from 3am until 8pm. However, you may find yourself on a bus that combines both routes, stopping first near Mataram and then continuing on to Senggigi.
Getting to the Airport: Lombok Taxi (Blue Bird) is the most convenient taxi operator throughout Lombok and will drop passengers directly in front of the departure terminal. Note: Lombok Taxi cannot pick up passengers from inside the airport grounds. For low cost airport transfers, the DAMRI bus is the cheapest way to travel between Senggigi, Mataram and the airport (see below).
From the Airport: taxis are available to meet all arriving flights. After collecting your baggage, head out of the exit doors of the terminal and through the arrivals hall to the official airport taxi parking area (at the end on the right hand side).
Ignore the many touts that will approach you with offers of cheap fares – they are not licensed operators and often quote low prices, which can quickly change once you are in the car. Avoid eye contact and avoid the hassle. If you do need to use an independent driver – if you are a large group or have a lot of luggage or sports equipment, such as surf boards – make sure you negotiate a fixed price before you get in the vehicle. The public DAMRI bus uses air conditioned Mercedes buses which seat around 40 passengers and are an economical solution to airport transfers to and from Senggigi and the cities.
Kotama and Kotasi are the main operators, using dark blue sedans carrying a maximum of 4 passengers (less if you have a lot of luggage).
Approximate taxi fares: to Senggigi Rp 220,000; to Mataram Rp 160,000; to Kuta: Rp 100,000; to Bangsal Harbour Rp 350,000.
The trip terminates opposite the Galleria shops on the main street in Senggigi (just south of Asmara Restaurant). If you need to stop beforehand, let the driver know and he will usually accommodate your request. The trip to Senggigi takes around 90 minutes and costs just Rp 40,000 per person (Rp 30,000 to Mataram, and Rp 35,000 to Selong). If your hotel is outside of Senggigi, flag down a metered Blue Bird taxi from the shuttle stop in Senggigi to take you to your hotel or villa.
These taxis are licensed and insured and will use the meter to calculate your fare anywhere on the island. Organising an airport transfer with your hotel is often the easiest option, with the hotel driver meeting you on arrival and transferring you to your hotel in comfort. Check with your hotel – charges are usually only slightly more than a taxi.
The helpful drivers tend to stop at other popular points along the route, including dropping off passengers at the roundabout in Gerung (useful if you are heading to Sekotong or Lembar), several points near the city, and outside the old Selaparang Airport on the way to Ampenan (where taxis also await the arrival of the buses).
The DAMRI counter is located inside the arrivals hall, at the end on the left hand side and is manned by an information officer who issues tickets for the bus service. Prices are clearly shown on sign boards at the counter. The bus parks just outside the hall on the left.
Around Lombok: Lombok is easy to get around. The roads are in good condition and there is little traffic, apart from in the cities. The island itself is only slightly smaller than Bali at 115km (70 miles) long and 80km (50 miles) wide; however, it is not practical to drive around Lombok in one day. Continued on Page 8
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ko - ko - mo RESORT GILI GEDE
Unspoilt Paradise Ko – Ko – Mo Resort Gili Gede 5-star Luxury in Southwest Lombok
Stay
Escape to the timeless serenity of Gili Gede - Gateway to the Southwest Gilis in one of our luxurious one- and two- bedroom air conditioned villas with private swimming pools or an absolute beachfront bungalow all day dining at our romantic beachfront restaurant and bar at the Spa or in our Resort Swimming Pool on our Tennis Court, Putting Green or in our Gym Water Sports, Island Hopping, Snorkelling and Diving
Enjoy
Relax Play Explore
Get there fast and then take it slow... with easy fastboat transfers from Bali direct to our private jetty
www.kokomogiligede.com | kokomogiligede@ozemail.com.au | +62 (0) 813 3762 7306
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Lombok Map
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GETTING AROUND Continued from Page 4
Taxis are easily available in Lombok and, unlike in other areas of Asia, all use their meters (argo) to calculate fares, so there is no need to haggle a price. Lombok Taxi (operated by Blue Bird Taxi, light blue colour) is the largest company in Lombok and you will find them in the cities and around tourist areas such as Senggigi. Taxis can be used to make trips to Kuta or Lembar and Bangsal Harbours and, if you are shopping or making day trips by taxi, ask the driver to wait and leave the meter running. Fares are still very low compared to those in the west. Short trips around Senggigi will cost around Rp 20,000; a taxi from Senggigi to Mataram is around Rp 65,000.
Phone for a taxi or ask your hotel to phone, or flag one down from the side of the road. Make sure the driver starts the meter when you get in. Lombok Taxi (Blue Bird), ph: 0370 627 000 (or download the ‘My Blue Bird’ App from Google Play, iTunes, or from the Blue Bird Group website).
Motorbikes are the most popular form of transport and are generally small, light 125cc bikes with automatic gears. Modern and economical motor scooters, such as a Yamaha Mio, are easy to ride and do not have gears. Expect to pay between Rp 35 - 60,000 per day for motorbike rental, depending on age and type. Both require an international drivers’ licence. Tours are readily available in all the tourist areas, and drivers and guides are licensed by the local Kotasi (tour organisation), who also regulate prices in the industry. Most tour operators are reliable and will have a wealth of local knowledge, which can make touring a more rewarding experience. It is also the most comfortable way to explore the island, as you have time to sit back and observe, rather than negotiating traffic and unfamiliar roads.
Popular tours, such as day trips to Sedang Gile waterfall, or to Kuta and the south coast, are structured to take in a full day of sightseeing. Tours range between Rp 350 – 700,000 a day for a driver and an air conditioned vehicle for up to 4 passengers, depending on distances and the number of places visited. * Expect to pay high end prices during peak seasons.
Cars and Motorbikes can be hired in Lombok and driving yourself is easy. Cars drive on the left hand side of the road (as in the UK). Modern, air conditioned cars that comfortably seat 5 people including the driver can be hired for between Rp 350 - 500,000 per day, including basic insurance.
Cidomo (pronounced ‘chi doh moh’) are traditional horse drawn carts that were once the main form of transport in Lombok and are still used today, although they have been replaced by cars and
Tourism Information
motorbikes in the cities. The covered wooden carriages are pulled by small local ponies and, in villages and at the local markets in Kebun Roek, they are popular transport, particularly for carting goods. Use cidomo for short trips, such as getting to restaurants and hotels around Senggigi. A short trip should cost around Rp 20,000; negotiate the fare with the driver before climbing in. There are no cars or motorised transport on the Gili Islands, so cidomo are the main form of transport and the islands’ cidomo have a fixed price schedule of fares, much higher than on Lombok.
Bemo (pronounced ‘bee moh’) are generally small minibuses used as public transport in towns and cities. They are a cheap way of travelling, but can be uncomfortably crowded.
The small versions used in villages are vans with an open back and seats along each side. Flag down a passing bemo from the side of the road and climb on board; press the button on the ceiling when you want to stop and get off and pay the driver when you disembark. Short hops cost around Rp 5,000. These bemos can also be chartered for your private use; negotiate a fare with the driver for a direct trip to a specific location, without stopping to pick up other passengers. In the cities, larger bright yellow bemos travel the routes from Ampenan to Mataram, Mataram to Cakra, and beyond. You will see them cruising the streets, horns beeping, as they pick up and drop off passengers. If you are travelling between the cities, you will need to change bemo, as each serves only one area. Fares between cities are Rp 5,000.
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Tourism Information
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BEST IN
Photo by Neil Cave
BEACHES People come to Lombok for our fantastic unspoiled beaches! The whole island is surrounded by postcard perfect beaches with crystal clear waters and clean white sand fringed by coconut palms. Drive just north of Senggigi to Malimbu or Nipah and enjoy deserted beaches with fine snorkelling and swimming. The southwest coast has particularly fine beaches, especially in Sekotong and the small islands off the coast.Visit the small islands of Gili Asahan and Gili Layar for the ultimate island escapes or stay at the luxurious Ko - ko - mo Resort on Gili Gede to explore the secret islands of the southwest. The beaches around Kuta are so breathtakingly beautiful they must be seen to be believed! Visit Tanjung Aan for fantastic scenery, Selong Belanak for long stretches of white sand and turquoise waters, or swim in the lovely protected bay at Mawun.
Snorkelling is easy from the shore and all three islands are well served by professional dive operators who offer certification courses, day and night dives and specialised courses, as well as liveaboard adventures to exotic locations. For the more adventurous, there is superb snorkelling and diving around the islands off the southwest coast, as well challenging dive sites off the south coast and the small uninhabited islands off the east coast. GOLF Sire Beach Golf Club is located on the shores of Sire Beach in northwest Lombok, close to the Oberoi and Tugu hotels. It is less than one hour’s drive from Senggigi.
This world-class course was designed by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perrett, who have respected the unique setting and contours of the location. The 18 hole, par 72 championship course (6245 meters) offers world-class challenges for golfing enthusiasts of all levels in a natural and picturesque environment. SURFING Lombok is a world-renown surfing destination amongst surf enthusiasts world-wide. Huge waves and challenging surf lure die-hards to Bangko-Bangko (also known as Desert Point) on the southwestern tip of Lombok. Kuta, on the south coast, is surf-central and has a range of accommodations and facilities especially for surfers. Here you can hire a board, get board repairs and take surf lessons from the professionals. The waves at Gerupuk and Tanjung Aan offer a variety of challenges from beginners to sheer madness! Ekas Bay has two surf breaks: Inside Ekas and Outside Ekas with waves suitable for beginners to experts, depending on the season.
DIVING AND SNORKELLING With so many islands, Lombok offers a myriad of diving and snorkelling opportunities. The best known locations are around the Gili islands – Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. And yes – the Gilis are open and already receiving a lot of visitors!
At certain times of the year when conditions are right, you’ll find locals surfing the breaks at Senggigi and Mangsit Beach, and off Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. Surfing Gerupuk by Gretah Gray
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LOMBOK
Moslems come together to pray and celebrate. Built around 1714, Pura Lingsar was originally based on the prevailing animist beliefs of the time, and some of the original statues remain today. Perang Topat is an annual festival held at Lingsar and features a ritualised war with rice cakes, which also serve as an offering to the Gods. Taman Narmada (or Narmada Park) in Narmada (around 6 km east of Cakranegara), was created in the late 1800’s as a replica of Gunung Rinjani and its crater lake.
Benang Kelambu Waterfall by Iwan Haryanto
The gardens at Narmada are beautifully maintained and surround the pools and lake in this cool hillside setting. Take a picnic and enjoy a few relaxing hours here or combine the trip with a visit to Lingsar or Suranadi.
TREKKING Much of the island is still covered by natural rain forest and jungles, making Lombok ideal for ecotourism and adventure tours. There are a number of spectacular waterfalls on the island which provide lovely trekking opportunities, whether travelling independently or as part of a tour. Air Jeruk Manis, near Tetebatu, is set in a cool mountain location and reached by a pretty walk through rice fields and forest. The awesome Benang Stokel and Benang Kelambu waterfalls, in Central Lombok, are located within a short trek of each other and make a perfect day trip for those who appreciate truly magical natural surroundings. HISTORIC SITES & TEMPLES
Pura Suranadi, a complex of three temples located a few kilometres north of Narmada in Suranadi, is the oldest and holiest of the Balinese temples in Lombok, founded by the 16th-century Javanese priest, Danghyang Nirartha. Underground streams bubble up into restored baths, used for ritual bathing. Huge sacred eels live in the pools and streams here, and can sometimes be lured out with an offering of boiled eggs (purchased at a nearby stall). To see a sacred eel is considered very lucky!
Across the road from the temple is a local market complex where you can sample tasty charcoal grilled satays and buy cold drinks and fresh seasonal fruits. HANDICRAFT VILLAGES Lombok is famous for its traditional earthenware pottery made from local clay with distinctive designs, as well as handwoven sarongs and fabrics (ikat). Pringgasela in Central Lombok is a small village which is steeped in tradition and is a major centre for weaving ikat.Visit the small houses and shops here to see the old traditional looms being used to create intricately woven, colourful fabrics. Sukarara is 5 km to the west of Praya, heading south towards Kuta. This is another weaving village where quality ikat and traditional cloth is displayed and sold. Weavers work outside many of the shops, using antiquated “back strap looms� to painstakingly produce works of art. Some of the larger pieces can take several months to weave and collectors from around the world visit these villages to purchase the blankets, sarongs and cloth produced here. Banyumulek, easily reached on the road south to Lembar Harbour, is an important centre for pottery on Lombok. The small village has many shops selling pottery produced in the area, as well as from the other main potterymaking villages such as Penujak and Masbagik. Lombok pottery, with its distinctive terracotta styles, is famous internationally and is exported throughout the world. Getting around Lombok is easy by car or motorbike and you can hire these in all the main tourism areas, with an International Drivers License.The roads are generally in good condition and traffic is light. Alternatively, hire a car and driver for exploring or take part in the tours and day trips offered by the many tour agencies on the island.
There are a number of interesting temples around the west coast, many of which are Hindu or ancient animist sites of worship. Pura Lingsar is possibly the only place in the world where Hindus and
Narmada Water Park by Barbara
Tourism Information
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SENGGIGI &
The West Coast Senggigi Bay by Neil Cave
Senggigi is the main tourism resort area on Lombok’s West Coast and is around a onehour drive northwest of Lombok International Airport.
The Chandi Boutique Resort, with contemporary villas in a peaceful coconut grove, and the resort’s Meru Restaurant, are located on the quiet beachfront here.
The Senggigi tourism strip starts a few kilometres before central Senggigi and development runs north along the coastal road for about 10 km, with many hotels and restaurants positioned along the beautiful beaches that line the entire west coast.
The Cowshed Steakhouse is also located on the main road in Batu Layar, just a five minute drive south of Senggigi.
A few kilometres south of Senggigi, The Hill (locally called The Bukit), is a residential community perched on a green hillside in Batu Layar. The homes and villas here feature stunning architectural design and have magnificent views over the ocean.
road runs parallel to the beach and large resorts occupy the space between; with Kila Senggigi Beach Hotel at the south end and the Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort at the north end of the bay.
Closer to Senggigi, Batu Bolong is the beach resort area forming a strip between the historic Batu Bolong Temple and the southern gateway to Senggigi.
Café Alberto is located on the beachfront in Batu Bolong, just before the entrance to Senggigi. Directly across the road from Café Alberto is the main entrance to the Green Valley residential area.
Senggigi Beach is a wide protected bay with promontories at each end. The beach is lovely for swimming and relaxing but can become crowded on Sundays and public holidays.
Senggigi Beach is the large bay that forms the centre of Senggigi. The main
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Senggigi Beach by Neil Cave
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Senggigi Map
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Tourism Information
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Continued from Page 12
However, it is still scenic and peaceful during weekdays. In the early mornings, enjoy a stroll along the beach looking out to the ocean dotted with the bright, colourful sails of fishing boats, as the local fishermen return with the day’s catch. One of the most spectacular sights on the island is the sunset viewed from Senggigi Beach, with the bright orange sun sinking into the sea to the west and Bali’s Gunung Agung volcano silhouetted on the horizon like a giant pyramid floating in the ocean. In the centre of the bay is the Pasar Seni (Art Markets) with many small shops selling handicrafts, clothing, sarongs and other souvenirs. Lining the beach side of the Markets are small restaurants for dining next to the waves. Come for a drink at sunset and then enjoy pizza and delicious Italian and Indonesian food at Lotus Bayview Restaurant.
Malimbu by Iwan Haryanto
At the end of the road through Kerandangan Valley is the Taman Wisata Alam – Kerandangan Nature Reserve – with clearly marked hiking paths leading through the rain forest along the river. There is a Ranger’s hut and basic visitors centre near the entrance. The park boasts a small waterfall, pretty river scenery, families of local monkeys, and a variety of tropical plants and birdlife. Further north, Mangsit has developed as an accommodation alternative to Senggigi, with boutique style hotels positioned along the breathtaking beaches of this section of coast. On the south end of Mangsit Beach is the lovely Puri Mas Boutique Resort. The popular Qunci Villas is in the centre and Katamaran Resort is located on the north end.Verve
Beach Club is also located along this stretch of beach, along with small local beach cafes selling cold beer and cheap eats. There is good snorkelling in front of Puri Mas at high tide and, when the wind is right, surfers take to the waves in front of Qunci Villas. Furthest north are Klui and Lendang Luar, with Living Asia Resort located on the long stretch of pristine beach at Lendang Luar. Mainly deserted white sand beaches, flanked by coconut groves continue all the way north along the main coastal road. Malimbu and Nipah are two picturesque bays less than half an hour from Senggigi, which are good for snorkelling, swimming and getting away from it all. West Coast by Barbara
Senggigi Reef, off the southern point, has good coral for snorkelling during high tide. To the left of the reef, Anjungan is a popular surf spot and, in the right conditions, has some decent surf breaks. When the winds are high, local surfers can be seen catching the waves here every day. Canoes can be hired from the beach on the weekends and during peak tourism times. Local outrigger boats (perahu) can be chartered from the beachfront for trips along the coast or out to the Gili Islands. Away from the beach, the main road (Jalan Raya Senggigi) is lined with restaurants, shops, tour agencies, bars and nightclubs; many of which have live music in the evenings. There are convenience stores and supermarkets, numerous ATM’s, money changers, a post office and other tourist facilities. About 2 km north of central Senggigi, Kerandangan has a popular beach nearby and a road leading into a residential area situated in a pretty valley. This area was badly damaged during the earthquakes in August and is being rebuilt.
Whether you are seeking luxury accommodation at a top resort with fine dining and spa facilities, or a budget holiday with days spent exploring – or all the choices in between – the Senggigi area caters for all tastes and budgets. From Senggigi, it’s easy to explore the attractions of the south coast or to hop on a boat to the famous Gili Islands for the day. Swim, snorkel, dive, hike, lie in the sun, have a massage, eat and drink at some of the great restaurants and bars in town; or just take a break and be enchanted by the peace and beauty of West Lombok.
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18 g A unique concept is driving a development in North Lombok being offered by Alif Property & Land. Based on the “Blue Economy” and “Green Economy” concepts of sustainable use of natural resources, investors are given the opportunity to purchase blocks of land which are then used for a variety of income-producing activities, including agriculture and aquaculture. The project is managed by the Alif Group, who intend to develop the land with fruit crops such as avocados, durian, grapes and more. Investors who purchase land then share in community profits from the crops, as well as the planned pearl farm, bee farm, and more. Based in Bayan, North Lombok, future plans for the development include green community initiatives, marine tourism, and tourism accommodation. See page 42 and 43 for more details. g Football fever is upon us and where better to watch the games than on the two big screens at The Cowshed in Batu Layar? The Cowshed Steakhouse will be screening all the upcoming finals of the
WHAT'S HOT!
What's Hot / Local News
T HE B EST IN LO M B O K
AFL for Aussie rules fans, every weekend through September up to the Grand Final on Saturday, 28 September. Rugby fans are also looked after with screening of all the National Rugby League games through to the NRL Grand Final on Sunday, 6 October. Not to mention, the Rugby World Cup matches running from Friday, 20 September through to the final in Japan on Saturday, 2 November. Pull up a chair, order a cold beer and one of the best steaks in town and join the footy crowd at The Cowshed! See advert page 15. g Kayu Manis Rooftop Café is a beautiful space located on the third floor rooftop at Aruna Senggigi Resort. The modern architecturally designed café has comfortable couches and seating arrangements perched along the edge of
the rooftop, with fabulous views over Senggigi and the ocean.
Open from midday until 11pm, the café serves all day meals and snacks, freshly brewed coffees, juices, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages. It’s particularly nice in the late afternoons when the sea breezes are in. Sit back with a cold beer and enjoy the laid back ambience and views. Monthly specials at Kayu Manis are always good value – this month’s offer is a bowl of tasty Pesto Pasta for just Rp 38,000 nett! See advert on page 49. g Don’t miss the next Cellar Party at Square Restaurant on Friday, 4 October starting at 7pm! Held on the first Friday of every month, the Cellar Party features three and a half hours of free-flow red and white wines, together with a delicious buffet including sushi, tapas, pasta, roast meats, salads and desserts. Price is Rp 400,000 nett all inclusive or you can choose the ‘buffet only’ option for just Rp 200,000 nett per person. Book and pay before 4 October and get 10% discount! See advert on page 3.
CHEFS IN THE WILD AT QUNCI VILLAS
Lovers of fine dining are in for a treat this month when Qunci Villas hosts another of its fabulous “Chefs in the Wild” dinners. “Chefs in the Wild” is a unique concept run by the resort for a number of years, in which Qunci Villas invites renowned guest chefs from around the world to visit Lombok and prepare a dinner at the stylish resort. The events not only introduce the island of Lombok to these stars of the culinary world but give diners the opportunity to experience a world-class dining experience not normally available in Lombok. The talented kitchen team at Qunci also gain new skills and experience working with these top professional chefs. This month, Qunci Villas hosts well known Indonesian celebrity chef, restaurateur, food critic and television personality, Chandra Yudasswara.
been running for more than 5 years. In addition to his TV show, he runs the kitchens of several restaurants around Jakarta and Java, most notably Bacco and Portable in Jakarta, and Domicile Kitchen and Lounge in Surabaya.
Chef Chandra has experience in a wide range of cooking styles and, during his career, has worked extensively overseas, including in the kitchens of Hyatt, Raffles, Ritz-Carlton and Fairmont hotels. On Friday, 27 September Chef Chandra will host a ‘Cooking Master Class’ in the garden alongside Quali Restaurant at Qunci.
Guests can enjoy seeing a top chef in action, pick up some cooking tips and sample some of the delicious dishes he Chef Chandra is the host of “Chef’s Table”, prepares. This is a free event and a popular local TV cooking show that has starts at 5pm.
Chef Chandra
On Saturday, 28 September Chef Chandra and Qunci Resident Chef Gianluca Visciglia will collaborate to prepare a gourmet dinner for guests at Quah Restaurant. The 5-course degustation dinner will showcase top dishes from both these talented chefs. The dinner is priced at just Rp 450,000++. For the best experience, enjoy the menu paired with selected wines for each course for Rp 900,000++ inclusive. Dinner starts at 7.30pm… don’t be late! See advert page 13.
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Special Feature
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BLUE OCEAN DAYS AT LAUT
It doesn’t get much better than this. Sitting under a shady tree with your toes in the sand, sipping an icy cold drink and looking out over one of the most iconic beaches in Lombok… this is Laut Biru Bar & Restaurant at Sempiak Villas on Selong Belanak Beach.
The small and consistent surf in the mornings and early afternoons is ideal for first time and beginner surfers to practice their skills and provides endless entertainment for those watching from the shore. In front of Laut Biru, the waves lessen and the sea invites swimmers in to cool off the clear blue water.
Selong Belanak Beach is a wide sweeping bay of pure white sand and azure waters located on the south coast of Lombok, around 30 minute’s drive west of Kuta.
The elegant white wooden building pays homage to its idyllic location with a light and airy restaurant decorated in white and aqua, reflecting the colours of sand and sea.
Many travellers say it is the best beach in Lombok and influential travel site, TripAdvisor has consistently rated Selong Belanak as one of the top 25 beaches in Asia and top 10 beaches in Indonesia for the past four years.
Inside is cool and elegant, while outside wooden tables and casual seating arrangements allow guests to sit under the shady trees growing on the foreshore and look out over the stunning beach scenery.
Perched right on the sand, Laut Biru (the name means “Blue Ocean” in Indonesian) is the only truly beachfront restaurant in the area.
Selong Belanak Beach is one of the most popular beaches for learning to surf in Lombok and the east part of the beach is lined with small stalls or warung offering surf lessons and surf board hire.
People from all over the island come to enjoy surfing, swimming, boogie boarding, sunbathing, and long strolls along this idyllic beach and looking out at the everchanging scene is a favourite pastime from the cool shade of the restaurant.
Of course, the other attraction is the superb food and service available at Laut Biru Bar & Restaurant! The menu has something to suit everyone, with a great mix of traditional Indonesian, Asian and Western foods. Being on the beach and near a local fishing village, fresh fish and seafood is a specialty here. Try the catch of the day with lemon garlic salsa, grilled marinated calamari with lime and garlic, or the juicy garlic tiger prawns, if you love seafood. If you are looking for some local flavour, the restaurant also serves very well executed Indonesian dishes such as Nasi Padang ala Lombok (slow cooked spicy beef served with traditional cassava leaves,
Special Feature
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BIRU BAR & RESTAURANT
potato fritters and rice) and Manuk Pelalah (authentic Sasak style chicken braised in coconut milk and spices served with coconut rice). Our “must try” favourites are the Chicken Schnitzel Burger – crumbed and seasoned chicken with Kimchi slaw and wasabi mayonnaise in a home-baked bun, served with crunchy onion rings and French fries – and washed down with a spicy cold Ginger Martini.You simply don’t expect food this good at the beach! The bar serves an extensive range of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Creative cocktails and mocktails, freshly blended juices, brewed coffees and teas, cold beers, and local and imported wines are all on the list. One surprising element of dining at Laut Biru is the exceptionally good desserts. It’s hard to resist the offerings of Tiramisu, Cheesecake, Crème Brûlée, and Tropical Pavlova, all made in-house. The Chocolate Mousse with a hint of ginger and five spice is as good as you will get anywhere. Service from the staff is friendly and efficient. Many of the people working at
Laut Biru come from local villages and have learnt their skills and English language on the job. Their confidence in serving people from all over the world is highly commendable and it’s obvious they enjoy their jobs. Every Sunday, Laut Biru “Brings Beats to the Beach” with live music from 1pm. The band plays popular music and is happy to take requests. It’s the perfect vibe for a lazy Sunday afternoon at the beach! After a day of soaking up the sun and sea, Laut Biru is the perfect place to relax with a drink and watch the glorious colours of sunset play across the sky. One of the most iconic views of Selong Belanak Beach is the sight of a herd of water buffalo strolling down the beach at the end of the day as their herder leads them back to the village. Set against the backdrop of the sky painted in pinks and orange, the daily ritual that has continued for generations at this beach is yet another reminder that you are in a very special place. If you are lucky enough to be staying at Sempiak Villas or any of the other places
around Selong Belanak, Laut Biru Bar and Restaurant is a must visit. Selong Belanak is easily reached within a half an hour from Kuta and a couple of hours from Senggigi, making it a perfect day trip from other popular areas on Lombok. See also Page 69
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Cafe Lombi – One Stop Coffee Solution for you! • Imported Fully Automatic or Professional Machines • Coffee Machine Rental, Service and Maintenance • Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans • Installation, Training and Service Included • Barista and Latte Art Training available • NO Minimum Orders
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Jl Raya Senggigi (next to Papa Besar Cafe) | P: 0819 171 37 308 | E: annasgiftshoplombok@gmail.com
Special Feature
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PLEASE FEED GOBY THE FISH!
There’s a fun new sculpture with an important message now sitting on Selong Belanak Beach… meet “Goby the Fish”!
aware of the plastic pollution problem and encourage the community to keep the beach clean.
As we reported in our last issue (#304 published 9 September), Goby the Fish is the initiative of the Selong Belanak Community Association (SBCA).
Goby was officially installed on Selong Belanak Beach on Sunday, 15 September at the “Goby Beach Party”, which included live music, food, beach games, kid’s activities, and prizes, plus a special art demonstration by popular Lombok artist, Karyana!
The SBCA is a group of residents and business people who live and work in and around Selong Belanak and are committed to environmental sustainability, waste management, and community development in Selong Belanak. The idea for Goby came after seeing a similar fish sculpture on the beach at the W Hotel, Bali. SBCA members decided that a Goby on Selong Belanak Beach would be a great way to make people
A sign alongside Goby reads: “Goby loves plastic. Please feed him!” The sign in three languages (Bahasa Indonesia, English and the local Sasak language), also says: “Please help us keep plastic off our beach, out of the ocean and away from sea life. Because the only fish that should eat plastic is Goby the Fish!”
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Elegant Italian Dining
Asian & Indonesian Restaurant
[ Y o u r K e y t o an Id yl l i c L o m b o k ]
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Special Feature
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LOMBOK FARM MICROGREEN
There’s a steady buzz about the health benefits of fresh, organic foods these days and the latest arrival on the scene are microgreens. What are microgreens and why are they getting so much attention? Not to be confused with sprouts, microgreens are vegetable greens harvested just after the cotyledon leaves have developed. Cotyledons (or the first set of leaves) are not considered true leaves because they are actually part of the seed or embryo of the plant. The cotyledon leaves access the stored nutrients in the seed, feeding it until the true leaves develop and the plant begins photosynthesizing.
This means that this part of the plant is packed full of nutrients because this stage of a plant’s life is when they need the most nutrients to grow. In the same phase, chlorophyll gets created, which is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. In fact, research comparing microgreens to more mature greens reports that nutrient levels in microgreens can be up
BUY LOCAL
to nine times higher than those found in the mature leaves. Research also shows that they contain a wider variety of polyphenols and other antioxidants than mature plants. All this good stuff is in evidence at Lombok Farm – a new agricultural business based in the fertile hills of Suranadi.
A large shade house is filled with trays containing vibrantly coloured microgreens and baby leaves.Varieties include kale, red sorrel, daikon, coriander, yellow and black mustards, pea shoots, red spinach, purple kohlrabi, bok choy, red radish and more. Alongside are trays of herbs, chillies, and other experimental plants. Growing around the perimeter are different varieties of tomatoes – huge red beefsteak tomatoes, yellow pear tomatoes, sweet cherry tomatoes and rare varieties with unusual colours. Outside, growing in the fertile soil of Suranadi, are gardens filled with rocket, English spinach, dill, tomatillos, basil and even Cape Gooseberries – all fed from the fresh water spring on the property.
No pesticides are used at Lombok Farm and all produce is organic. It’s a gardener’s dream to see all these wonderful plants growing in Lombok! It also means that we can now access truly fresh salad vegetables and microgreens in Lombok, rather than importing them from Java and Bali. It’s obvious that vegetables picked, packed, kept in cold storage, and transported by truck and boat are going to be old, and have lost a lot of their nutrients, by the time they reach Lombok. Now we have access to greens that are picked and delivered fresh the same day. The difference in the colour and the flavour of these greens speak for themselves, especially the microgreens which can be mixed with salads, eaten on sandwiches, stirred through cooked meals before serving, and blended for a nutrientpacked juice. Lombok Farm supplies hotels, restaurants and cafés for wholesale orders and small orders for personal shoppers are welcomed. Once you try these delicious fresh greens, you will never go back to store bought!
BUY FRESH
FRESH HEALTHY SALAD MIXES, VEGETABLES & MICROGREENS AVAILABLE NOW IN LOMBOK! High Quality Microgreens and Baby Leaf Vegetables – full of flavour and packed with concentrated vitamins and nutrients. Fresh organic salad leaf vegetables, heirloom tomatoes and delicious fresh salad mixes. Picked today and delivered to your door! IDEAL FOR HOTELS, RESTAURANTS & CAFES – WHOLESALE ORDERS WELCOME!
WE RETAIL TO PERSONAL SHOPPERS TOO – SMALL QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!
FRESH FROM OUR FARM IN NARMADA Telp / WA: 0877 6528 1999 (Allan) or 0878 6416 7234 (Ardiansyah) | www.lombokfarm.com
Find us on
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WHATS HAPPENING @ PURI MAS BOUTIQUE RESORT & SPA
PURI MAS BALLROOM RESTAURANT Mangsit Beach
OPEN AIR BEACHFRONT OCEAN VIEWS Specialising in fresh seafood International and Indonesian cuisine HAPPY HOURS – 5 TO 7PM EVERY DAY BUY 2 GET 1 FREE – COCKTAIL & SPIRITS THURSDAY NIGHTS SHOW STARTS 8PM - LATIN NIGHT, LIVE MUSIC & PERFORMANCES by the students of the Puri Mas Social Dance Project
AUTHENTIC INDONESIAN CUISINE
SUNDAY NIGHTS – SPECTACULAR CULTURAL SHOW STARTS AT 7.45PM Dine in the beautiful surroundings of a 200 year old Javanese Sultan’s Palace. Open daily 8am-10pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Authentic Indonesian Cuisine, plus international flavours. Pick up/drop off in our Classic Volkswagon Senggigi and Mangsit Areas
PURI MAS AWARD WINNING LUXURY SPA BOOK A TREATMENT IN OUR SPA AND ENJOY OUR BEAUTIFUL POOL FACILITIES
Enjoy facials and body treatments using only the finest European Babor products
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Special Feature
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Crossing the Wallace Line Bali to the left and Lombok to the right captured by Nasa's Aqua Satellite
When travellers make the boat crossing between Bali and Lombok, they probably don’t realise they are not only crossing one of the deepest bodies of water in the world, but also crossing a transitional zone between Asia and Australia. The Lombok Strait separates the islands of Bali and Lombok, and connects the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean. At its northernmost end, the Strait has a deep channel that is about 35kms (less than 22 miles) wide and is well-known for its strong currents and north-south ‘through-flow’, which can run at several knots and is very deep. At the northern end it starts with a depth wallace line animals
of 1,500 metres and then averages around 400 metres until the southern end, where it increases again to 1,500 metres and eventually to 3,000 metres. Tankers with large drafts and submarines regularly pass through the Strait, avoiding the much shallower and congested water of the Malacca Straits. This channel is so important that the Japanese took control of the Lombok Strait during WWII and, in 1942, the battle of Lombok Strait took place when an American destroyer squadron engaged a large Japanese naval force. However, most passengers who travel to Lombok or the Gilis know nothing about
the other name associated with this part of the world: “The Wallace Line”. In the second half of the 19th century, the English explorer and naturalist, Alfred Russell Wallace (1823-1913) spent a number of years travelling around the region, studying and documenting the human culture of the Malaysian and Indonesian islands and their flora and fauna. During his years of travel, he noticed how species of animals and plants differed greatly between the islands in the western part of the Indonesian archipelago and the islands to the east. Sulphur-crested cockatoo were found to the west, and Indonesian finches lived just across the Strait. Fire-prone gum trees grew on one side and exotic tropical rain forest teak on the other. Even beneath the sea, in an area separated by mere miles, there was an incredible separation of fish life. One of Wallace’s greatest interests was to explain why this was so and much of his work revolved around the idea of “survival of the fittest”, or natural selection. What particularly struck Wallace about his discovery was that some islands that were very far apart had the same distribution of animal species; while some islands that were close together had very different species.
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Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
Nowhere was this more striking than between the islands of Bali and Lombok, which are separated by only 35km of water. Numerous species of plants and animals – especially birds – that are found on Bali and other islands to the north and west, were absent on Lombok, which had species found on other islands far to the south and east.
Komodo Dragons are found east of the Wallace Line
an invisible line that separates the world of tigers from the world of kangaroos. He theorised that an imaginary boundary ran from between Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sulawesi in the north, and down between Bali and Lombok in the south. From these differences, biologists concluded that at one point the land masses of South-east Asia were connected to Australia but eventually moved apart, and the deep Lombok Strait acted as a barrier to the movement of species west across the Wallace Line. This fundamental insight that the division between the different species must have been connected to ancient geological shifts put Wallace far ahead of his time and remains a remarkable achievement to this day. Today this zone of transition is still called the Wallace Line and is recognised by biologists as the sharpest and most famous boundary in the world. In honour of Wallace’s work, naturalists now refer to the area around the line as “Wallacea” and the region around the Wallace Line is considered to be amongst
Wallace observed that there was a marked difference between the flora and fauna on either side of the line – for instance, there are tigers, rhinos and bears west of the line that do not live to the east; while there are marsupials, cockatoos, Komodo dragons and other animals that live in the east but not to the west of the line. “Survival of the fittest” didn’t explain these differences; therefore he concluded that ancient geological changes must have been the cause. In between constant bouts of malaria and other tropical illnesses, he finally came up with the theory of “The Wallace Line” –
The Wallace Line wikipedia
the most ecologically diverse in the world, alongside the Amazon Rainforest and the Congo Rainforest. Wallace also has one other claim to fame. In the 1850’s he was busy formulating a theory of evolution, in parallel with the work being undertaken by Charles Darwin – a theory that was considered quite heretical at the time. Wallace first published a paper on the “introduction” of the species in 1855. Wallace had a lot of respect for the work of Darwin and was willing to share information. Whilst working in Borneo, he sent him a manuscript, which Darwin received in June 1858. The manuscript further advanced Wallace’s theories and may have been the spur for Darwin to ‘go public’ and publish his own work, “On the Origin of Species” in November 1859. Wallace’s name and work will always be remembered for ‘the Line’. However, he came very close to being credited in history with the theory of evolution, too. Thanks to Howard Singleton, who contributed sections of this article.
Tourism Information
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USEFUL CONTACTS EMERGENCY SERVICES Senggigi Police (POLSEK Senggigi): Jl Raya Senggigi. Phone: 0370 693267 | 632733 Lombok Police (POLDA NTB): Jl Gajah Mada 7, Mataram. Ph: 0370 693110. Emergency No: 110 Fire Brigade: Phone: 0370 672013. Emergency No: 113 State Hospital UGD (Emergency Unit Service): Phone: 0370 622254 Ambulance: Phone: 0370 623489. Emergency No: 118 Emergency Rescue (RSU Mataram) Ph: 0370 620009. HOSPITALS (Rumah Sakit) Siloam Hospitals Mataram Jl Majapahit 10 Mataram | Phone: 0370 623 999 / 628 111. Emergency: 1-500-911 Rumah Sakit Harapan Keluarga Jl Ahmad Yani 9, Selagalas. Ph: 0370 670000 | 6177000. Emergency (24hrs): 6177009. Mataram Public Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum Mataram) Jl Pejanggik No 6, Mataram Phone: 0370 6660224 | 638464 New NTB Province Public Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum Propinsi) Jalan Prabu Rangkasari, Dasan Cermen Phone: 0370 7502424 Central Lombok Public Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum Praya) Jl H Lalu Hasyim, Tiwugalih, Praya. Phone: 0370 6635050 East Lombok Public Hospital (Rumah Sakit Umum Dr R Sudjono) Jl Professor M Yamin No 55, Selong, East Lombok. Phone: 0376 21599 Biomedika Hospital Jl Bung Karno 143, Mataram. Phone: 0370 645137 Risa Sentra Medika Hospital Jl Pejanggik 115, Cakranegara. Phone: 0370 625560 | 632117 DENTISTS (Dr Gigi) Drg. Farida Istiarini, Sp.Ort (Joli Sourire Dental Care) 1st Floor at Lombok Epicentrum Mall. Jl Sriwijaya, Mataram. Ph: 0878 6490 1535 Drg.Yuanita Jl Sriwijaya (opposite Kura-Kura Waterpark), Mataram. Ph: 0812 3763 156 Drg. Mumu Jl Bung Hatta 14, Mataram. Ph: 0853 3730 7008 VETS (Dr Hewan) / PET CARE Dr Dani (Scotty Pet Care) Jl. Majapahit No.40, Taman Sari, Ampenan. Ph: 0823 3910 2011 Dr Wahyu (Nobel Petshop) Jl Sriwijaya (next to Town Palace), Mataram. Ph: 0370 6160300 Dr I Gede Sudiana (FB: lombokanimalrescue) Jl Sadewa 9, Cakra. Ph: 0878 6585 6260 Dr Ajus Ph: 0878 6441 3232
Dr Yoses Kristianto (DC Petshop) Jl Saleh Sungkar, Ampenan. Ph: 0819 99831337 Dr Dwi Ph: 0878 6477 0490 Dr Irfan Ph: 0817 579 0834 Dr Nurul (Kuta) Ph: 0818 0366 2612 TAXI Blue Bird Taxi, Ph: 0370 627000 AIRPORT BUS / DAMRI Senggigi / Mataram, Ph: 370 642947 | 0878 6475 5513 | 0813 9862 4975 IMMIGRATION Jl Udayana, Mataram, Ph: 0370 632520 PUBLIC SERVICES ELECTRICITY PLN Mataram. Ph: 0370 643123 PLN Senggigi. Ph: 0370 693535 WATER (PDAM Mataram) Ph: 0370 632510 TELKOM (Phone/Internet) Ph: 021147 Directory Assistance (Phone Numbers): Ph. 021 108 POST OFFICES (Kantor Pos) Mataram: Jl Sriwijaya. Ph: 0370 632645 Senggigi: Jl Raya Senggigi. Ph: 0370 693711 CONSULATES AUSTRALIA Phone: 0361 2000100. Emergency: +61 26261 3305. Email: Bali.congen@dfat.gov.au BELGIUM Phone: 0343 740274. Emergency: 021 3162030. Email: stefaan.vancolen@st-group.com BRAZIL Phone: 0361 8446530. Emergency: 0821 44440018. Email: renato@bythesea.co.id BRITAIN Phone: 021 23565200. Emergency: 0811 8860053. Email: Consulate.Bali@fco.gov.uk CHILE Phone: 0361 281501 / 0811 394 045 Emergency: 021 252 1981. Email: chilehonconsulate@bali-villa.com CHINA Phone: 0361 239001. Emergency: 0361 239902 / 081239169767. Email: chinaconsul_dps_id@mfa.gov.cn DENMARK & NORWAY Phone: 085 100 21 6979. Emergency: 021 5761487 / +45 3392 0000. Email: danishconsbali@gmail.com ESTONIA Emergency: 0811 987111. Email: bharat@consul-estonia.or.id FINLAND & SWEDEN Phone: 0361 282223. Emergency: 0817 9723658. Email: finnishconsulatebali@yahoo.com FRANCE Phone: 0361 9345862. Emergency: 021 23557600. Email: consul@dps.centrin.net.id GERMANY Phone: 0361-288535. Emergency: 0812 3913938. Email: sanur@hk-diplo.de
HUNGARY 0361 425924. Emergency: 081 2385 3781 / 082 144 933 506. Email: hubaliconsul@gmail.com INDIA Ph. 0361 259502/3. Emergency: 08113976388. Email: cg.bali@mea.gov.in / cgsecy@gmail.com ITALY Phone: 0361 701005. Emergency: 0361 701005. Email: italconsbali@italconsbali.org JAPAN Phone: 0361 227628. Emergency: 0361 227628. Email: sokhibi@dp.mofa.go.jp / denpasar@ dp.mofa.go.jp MEXICO Phone: 0361 223266, 0361 245828. Emergency: 0361 288218 / 081 139 9929. Email: yudhara@ astinatravel.com / consulmex@astinatravel.com NEW ZEALAND Phone: 0361 8446456. Emergency: 0819 99477552 / 085 737 223000. Email: indy.honcondibali@gmail.com NORWAY Phone: 0361 282223. Emergency: 0817 9723658. Email: norwegianconsulatebali@yahoo.com POLAND Phone: 0361 263967 / 081 238 78324. Emergency: 0811 389449. Email: iblolec@pacificworld.com RUSSIA Emergency: 021 5222912 SLOVAK REPUBLIC Phone: 0361 9005583. Emergency: 0811810680. Email: konsulslowakbali@yahoo.com SOUTH AFRICA Phone: 0361 751223. Emergency: 0857 39114748. Email: bagus.sudibya@bagusdiscovery.com SPAIN Phone: 0853 3838 5008. Emergency: 081 38004 1258. Email: honorary.cspainbali@gmail.com SRI LANKA Phone: 0361 726200. Emergency: 0361 728483 / 081 238 01063. Email: citrabaliide@yahoo.co.id SWEDEN Phone: 0361 282223. Emergency: 0817 9723658. Email: sweconsul@yahoo.com SWITZERLAND & AUSTRIA Phone: 0361 264149. Emergency: 0811 3850041. Email: bali@honrep.ch THAILAND Phone: 081 238 25542. Emergency: 021 29328190. Email: rtcdps@yahoo.com TIMUR LESTE Phone: 0361 4722099. Emergency: 081 338 556373 / 081 557 02399 / 081 236 55988. Email: cgtl@dpsbali.com TUNISIA Phone: 0361 242659. Emergency: 021 52892328. Email: tunisconsulbali@popodanes.org / popo@popodanes.com THE NETHERLANDS Phone: 0361 761502. Emergency: 0818 789444 / 081 55 666 7777. Email: dutchconsulate@ kcbtours.com USA Ph: 0361 233605. Emergency: 081 112 44220 / 081 133 4183. Email: CABali@state.gov
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Great Food! Good Times! Jl Raya (Main Street) Senggigi Ph: 0370 693619 E: restaurant@asmara-group.com
www.asmara-group.com
OPEN DAILY 11AM – 11PM TAKE AWAY AVAILABLE AND DELIVERY TO SENGGIGI AREAS HALAL CERTIFIED
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[ Y o u r K e y t o a n I d yl l i c L o m b o k ]
[ The Lonely Planet: “Best Place to Stay in Lombok” ] [ Cosmopolitan: “Lombok’s Hidden Beauty” ] [ Guide du Routard: “Le Reve!” ] Jl. Raya Mangsit, Senggigi, Lombok | Phone: +62 370 693 800 Email: stay@quncivillas.com | Website: www.quncivillas.com
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Special Feature
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AUTORE... The Persians called them “children of light” and believed they were the tears of the gods. The Chinese thought that the moon gave them their power to glow. Pearls… timeless, classic, precious gifts from the sea. Lombok is famous for its pearls and the island attracts buyers from all over the world to purchase pearls harvested in our clean oceans. While visitors to Lombok will find plenty of sellers on the beaches hawking cheap, low grade pearls from China; authentic South Sea pearls are a different matter entirely.
Precious Gifts from the Sea!
The lovely showroom is perched over the waters of the bay on its own wooden pier with dramatic views of the Rinjani mountain range on the mainland, and to the east, over the buoys of the pearl farm to the three Gili Islands, just minutes away. Inside the showroom is a treasure trove of beautiful pearl jewellery – ranging from classical pieces to the latest contemporary designs.
At the other end of the scale are ultramodern and wearable pieces that combine pearls with rubber, leather, anodized metals and bold colours to create ontrend fashion statements. Contemporary pieces mix pearls with semi-precious gemstones such as amethyst, citrine, and peridot – bringing a modern edge to those looking for less formal jewellery. All jewellery in the showroom has been graded and certified and shoppers have the comfort of knowing their purchases are genuine. All items come with a detailed certificate of authenticity (except for some of the cheaper items).
We are fortunate to have one of the world leaders in pearl production and pearl jewellery design – Autore Pearls – based in Lombok.
Visitors can also book a Pearl Farm Tour, which is a fascinating way to discover how the pearls are farmed and harvested, and gives a special insight into why these gems are so unique and highly-prized.
Founded in 1991, and renowned for quality, innovation and style, Autore is one of the largest South Sea pearl companies in the world and has won multiple awards for innovation and leadership in the pearl industry.
The Autore Pearl Farm showroom is open daily from 9am to 5pm and visitors are always welcome. Private viewings are also available by appointment.
Whether you are seeking a special piece of timeless jewellery or are an astute buyer, the best place to purchase your pearls in Lombok is at the Autore Pearl Farm. Located in Teluk Nara on Lombok’s west coast (just 30 minute’s drive from Senggigi or a short boat ride from the Gili Islands), Autore Pearl Farm showcases the best of the locally harvested pearls from around Indonesia.
All of the pearls, with the exception of the Tahitian Black Pearls, are farmed at Autore pearl farms in either Lombok or Java, and the stunning designs are created in-house by Autore and manufactured in Australia, Italy and Thailand. Jewellery on display ranges from classic pearl necklaces to stylish designs using yellow, rose and white gold and incorporating diamonds, sapphires and rubies. Particularly beautiful are the elegant drop earrings featuring square cut sapphires and flawless round pearls, and stunning pearl cocktail rings flanked by diamonds, emeralds and rubies.
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discover nature’s greatest gift
Pearl Farm Tours
(Groups or 2 adults minimum)
Pearl and Jewellery Showroom Private viewings welcome
Showroom Open Daily 9am - 5pm
PT Autore Pearl Culture, Teluk Nara, Malaka, Lombok Phone: +62 8133 992 0015 / +62 8133 992 0020 | Email: pearlfarm@pearlautore.com.au
www.pearlautore.com.au
Pasar Classifieds
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PASAR CLASSIFIEDS
Karyana Artist
Commission artwork also welcome! Or transfer your favourite photo onto canvas with an original profesional artist's touch IN JUST 24 HOURS! STUDIO & GALLERY: Jl Raya Senggigi (Next to Anna's Giftshop) Ph/WA: 0831 1976 0351 | FB: Karyana
Karyana: Born in Lombok of Balinese heritage, Karyana is a respected Professional Artist and Painter of 25 years. He is self taught and first started to paint in the sand and dirt of his backyard as a child. As an adult he joined an art community where he developed his art skills. Karyana has a passion for painting in diverse styles and media. His inspiration for his art comes from deep within and the passion with which he paints can be seen on the canvas. Every painting is an original one-off piece.
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TOROK AIK BELIK – LAND (SHM) DIRECT OWNER SALE Beautiful high plateau in the south of Lombok overlooking Torok Aik Belik Bay and beautiful rice paddies. Stunning Indian Ocean view. Only 3 minutes drive to the beach on the new main road. Electricity already in place. 284 are (2.84 ha) IDR 22 million / are
www.bali-direct-contact-owner.com/land-for-sale/ lombok-land/south-lombok-001/
CERTIFIED LAND FOR SALE - SIRE CERTIFIED LAND FOR SALE Hak Milik (Freehold) 15 Are (1,500 sq mtrs) One hundred metres from Pemanang-Tanjung Road 750m North of turnoff to Kosaido Golf Quiet kampung area. Two access roads Rp 22 million per Are (negotiable)
Hak Milik (Freehold) 4.97 hectare (49,700m2). Just 5 mins to Kuta Beach. Access road already in place. Unobstructed 360o views to ocean, surrounding beaches, Mt Rinjani, Kuta and all its natural beauty. IDR 85,000,000 / Are (Approx US $6,000 / Are).
Call or WA: Aziza 0819 3674 3666
WA +62 821 4587 5594 Ph: +62 878 5964 2482 (Indonesian / English)
LEASE HOLD GILI AIR BEACH FRONT
LOBSTER BAY
Ex Caballito De Mar (CDM) USD125,000 Includes kitchen and bar equipments, restaurant furniture, 20 KVA generator and wooden boat with Suzuki 110 HP
Contact: +62 813 999 66666 / 0878 6100 9888
LAND FOR SALE - MANGSIT 16 are (1,600m ), secluded valley, 5 mins to atm, taxi rank and beach. Rp 70 million / are 2
Phone: 0813 5355 9918 / 0822 3644 3380
20 MINS FROM KUTA OUSTANDING SEA VIEWS! 3 Blocks for Sale From Rp 35 million per are (100m2) (US $24 / sqm) BLOCK 1 - 1,800m2 BLOCK 2 - 7,600m2 BLOCK 3 - 1.3 hectares Phone/WA: 0821 4587 5594 (English) +62 878 5964 2482 (Indonesian)
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PASAR CLASSIFIEDS
GILI LAYAR LAND FOR SALE Own beach front and hill. 4.3 HA (430 are). Freehold.
BELONGAS BAY – LAND (SHM) DIRECT OWNER SALE Stunning land in the south of Lombok overlooking Belongas and Pengantap Beaches. Beautiful hill land, unobstructed sea views. Direct access from new main road. Water and electricity already in place. 315 are (3.15 ha) IDR 9.5 million / are
www.bali-direct-contact-owner.com/land-for-sale/ lombok-land/south-lombok-002/
SELONG BELANAK VILLA & LAND FOR SALE PMA company (accommodation) with HGB certificate. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom furnished western standard villa. Outbuildings - storage, staff accommodation and 2 bathrooms. Building plans - 6 stand alone villas. Full perimeter walls, flat, landscaped, 5 mins walk to beach, surrounded by other western villas, 25 mins to International Airport, 20 mins to Kuta. Land size (28 are) – Rp 2.9 billion Contact owner on site: Joe: 0812 3997 4011 (Whatsapp) Email: mishaenquiries@hotmail.com
LAND FOR SALE Freehold 1.8 hectares beach front land in Kaliantan, East Lombok. IDR 35 million / are (100m2).
More info: 087 861 009 888
Asking price Rp 105 million per are Contact owner direct: jogjamagasa@hotmail.com
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Land & Property
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Land & Property
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VILLA VISION
ON "THE HILL" LOMBOK
FOR SALE Phone / WhatsApp: 0877 5881 2873
Email: info@lombokpropertyinvestment.com Website: www.lombokpropertyinvestment.com
Senggigi Resort Area
LOMBOK’S MOST LEGENDARY LAND 100+ ha of Pristine Land Beach Front (1.3km) and Cliff Front
YOU CAN OWN THIS! Contact Owner: legendaryland.lombok@gmail.com
Land & Property
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RAY WHITE REAL ESTATE – SOUTH LOMBOK There has never been a more exciting time to invest in South Lombok!
Ray White of South Lombok has a strong team with more than 20 years of local real estate experience. We expertly guide you through every stage of the process. Land, villas and commercial properties – no inquiry is too big or too small. Send us an email or visit our Kuta offices for more information. Office Address: Jalan Terusan Kuta - Mawun 1, Kuta Lombok Email: southlombok@raywhite.co.id Phone: +44 777 592 1784 (Whatsapp) | +62 821 4515 5326
Certified Land - Kuta Skyline 1198 sqm. Breathtaking views. Cool breezes. Paved access. Serviced site. Ready to build. Unobstructed view of South Lombok coastline. A great investment in booming Kuta! Price: Total AU $290,000 - US $200,000 - IDR 2.8 billion
Freehold Sale - Newly built & Architecturally Designed Villa 3 Bed & 2 Bath - 3.45 Are Located in central Kuta, this fully furnished property is fully managed and staffed within a private luxury villa complex. An excellent investment! Also available for long and short term lease. Price: AU $300,000 - US $200,000 - IDR 3,000,000,000
Villa for Sale in Selong Belanak - 16 ARE - 3 bedroom / 3 bath Plus Staff House Stunning architecturally designed villa just 450m from Selong Belanak Beach. Building size is 240m2 on 12 Are. 10 x 4m Swimming Pool with salt chlorinator. Fully staffed option available. Price: AU $345,000 | US $230,000 | IDR 3,300,000,000
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Freehold Sale - Comfortable and Luxurious Surf Villa w/ Private Pool - 2 Bed & 2 Bath - 3.74 Are PRIME downtown location within a managed complex with 24/7 security, restaurant and bar, private access. Gated, fully furnished, 2 motorbikes included, cable television. Option to build 2nd storey. Price negotiable, inquire for more information.
Prime Commercial Building for Lease Quick Sale The best commercial location in Kuta is now available for 7-year lease. Option to extend available. Building size 100m2. Price: negotiable, seeking quick sale!
Certified Land - Ocean View Mawun Beach Total Plot Size: 273.15 Are (27,315m2) Option to Subdivide. Ocean views, excellent access and just 1km from the beach. Price: Starts at IDR 15,000,000 Per Are AU $1,555 * All prices are in IDR, other currencies estimated for example only
Land for Sale in Kuta - 8 ARE (800m2) Location, location, location! New access road planned directly adjacent to the land. Ideal for a small bustling business. Price: Total AU $121,000 - US $86,000 IDR 1,200,000,000
Tourism Information
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Mataram, about 3 km to the east of Ampenan, is the administrative centre for Lombok and Sumbawa (NTB Province), with government offices, banks, mosques, schools and colleges, bookstores, the main post office, and Mataram University downtown.
THE CITIES The three main cities in Lombok – Ampenan, Mataram and Cakranegara – have expanded over the years and now merge together to create what is, for Lombok, an urban sprawl of shops, administrative centres and residential areas.
Ampenan was the original port in Lombok during Dutch colonial times and some of the old architecture is still visible around the town, particularly toward the beach to the west, where the remnants of the port are slipping into the sea.
A visit to the cities makes an interesting day trip, exploring the numerous shops selling everything imaginable from everyday items to gold and pearls.
The streets become a market at night, filled with warung and kaki lima (food carts) for cheap, tasty food and local flavour.
There are many pearl shops in Ampenan and the nearby village of Sekarbela that sell unset pearls and pearl jewellery at attractive prices. These are genuine pearls – some cheap quality from China and more expensive ones farmed in Lombok and Sumbawa. If you bargain the price, you can usually get a good deal. There are gold shops in both Ampenan and Cakra, with 24 kt gold being sold by the gram at market price. For cheap and interesting food choices, explore the many restaurants, warung (local cafés) and food stalls in the cities. Or just wander around the streets to soak up the atmosphere and discover fascinating insights into Lombok city life!
Kebun Roek, just near the traffic lights in Ampenan on the road from the old Selaparang airport, is the site of the local markets. Every day traders set up stalls selling fresh produce from around the island, local snacks and products, live chickens and fresh fish in the afternoon when the fishing boats come in. A stroll through the markets is a pungent and enlightening experience!
In Mataram, the Nusa Tenggara Barat Museum houses historical and cultural artefacts from Lombok and Sumbawa. It’s an interesting place to visit and occasionally hosts special exhibits. Displays include exhibits on geology, history and culture. Address: Jl Panji Tilar. Ph: 632159 for opening times. There is a small admission fee. Also worth visiting is the cultural centre, Taman Budaya on Jl Majapahit. Music and dance performances are presented here regularly. Phone: 622428 for details. Cakranegara (usually abbreviated to “Cakra”) is Lombok’s main shopping area. It is also home to many Chinese and Balinese, who make up over 50 percent of the city’s population. The streets of the city make an interesting walk with gold shops, sporting goods, clothing and fabric stores selling imported silks, laces and cottons, to name a few.
There is a local market at the main intersection in Cakra; turn right at the traffic lights and look for the entrance to the market on the left. Inside is a labyrinth of stalls selling everything from woven baskets to fresh flowers and local food. The next large town east of Cakra is Sweta. The Bertais Bus Terminal is located here for connections to the east of the island and beyond. Near the bus terminal there is a huge local market every day with all kinds of goods on sale, from foodstuffs to clothing, exotic birds, handicrafts and more. Shopping
Pura Mayura (Mayura Temple) by Barbara
Lombok Epicentrum Mall on Jl Sriwijaya (see cities map) is Lombok’s most modern shopping centre with four floors of retail outlets. The complex houses a Hypermart Supermarket and a Matahari Department Store, as well as a Cinema XXI Movie Theatre and Timezone Entertainment Centre. Continued on Page 57
The Cities
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Tourism Information
The Cities Continued from Page 54 There is a well-stocked Ace Hardware store, an Informa furniture store, and several pharmacies. Other retailers sell a wide variety of fashion, shoes, electronics, sporting goods, and much more. There are many food outlets and cafĂŠs, as well as Burger King, KFC, Bread Talk, J. Co, Starbucks, Excelso, and more.
57 This is an important temple for the Balinese here and its annual Pujawali festival, held over five days during the full moon in September or October, is the biggest Balinese Hindu event on Lombok. The outer courtyard hall has large drums used to announce ceremonies and festivals. In the central courtyard are two buildings with raised offering platforms. The interior enclosure has 33 shrines as well as the three multi-tiered meru. The caretaker will meet you and give you a sash to wear in the temple. Please sign the guestbook and give a donation.
The older Mataram Mall on Jl Pejanggik is a more low key shopping centre with a Hero Supermarket, Tiara Department Store, McDonalds and KFC outlets, electronics and home ware stores, and a good selection of specialty shops.
Pura Mayura, just across the street from Pura Meru, was built in 1744 as the court temple of the last Balinese kings in Lombok. An open hall or bale kambang (floating pavilion) stands in the
middle of a large artificial lake here and an interesting temple is sheltered under huge old trees at the rear of the lake. The gardens and the adjoining Pura Jagatnatha temple complex are a peaceful place to escape the bustle of the city and well worth exploring.
Nearby Temples and Places of Interest Pura Meru on Jl Selaparang, Cakranegara, was built in 1720 by Balinese Prince Anak Agung Made Karang and is the largest temple on Lombok. Its three meru are for the Hindu trinity – Shiva,Vishnu and Brahma.
Pura Meru by Barbara
Photo by Ambara Jaya
Taman Mayura is open every day, from 8am to 8pm; admission is Rp 5000 per person. The gardens are popular on weekends so the best time to visit is during the weekdays.
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BLUE BIRD TAXI: Exclusively available in every Blue Bird Taxi in Lombok. AIRPORT: LIA Tourist Information Board, Lombok Baru Taxi, Kotama Taxi, Golden Bird Travel, Trec, BLT Travel and every counters outside International Lombok Airport. MATARAM: Autore, Lombok Epicentrum Mall (Ace Hardware, Bebek Ayam Kampung, Burger King, Bread Talk, Cinema XXI, Excelso, Food Centrum, Front Desk, Hypermart, Ichiban Sushi, Ikan Bakar Cianjur, Informa, J.Co, Joli Sourire, Kampung Melayu, KFC, Maxx Coffee, Mokko Factory, My Kopi-O, Nasi Goreng 69, Omah Cobek, Paris Castle, Pepper Me, Quali, Restonesia, Richeese Factory, Solaria, Starbucks Coffee, Warung Buntut, XO Suki), Lombok Plaza, Mataram Mall (Delicio Café, Mokko Factory), Nico Boulangerie, Toko Susana. KUTA: Blue Marlin, Bombora Bungalows, El Bazar, Harmony, JM Hotel, Kemangi Bar & Kitchen, Kenza, Ketapang Restaurant, Kies Villas, KRNK, Kuta Baru, Kuta Bay Homestay, Kuta Heights, La Too Much, Milk Espresso, Mimpi Manis Homestay, Nico Boulangerie, Novotel, Palate Cafe, Puri Rinjani, Rawa Lombok, Sapori, Seasalt Restaurant, Soul Munchies. SENGGIGI: Anna’s Giftshop, Aruna Senggigi Hotel, Asmara Restaurant, Café Alberto, Cafe Lombi, Hamburgerya, Karyana Gallery, Lotus Bayview Restaurant, Orchid Spa, Pasta Pojok, Puri Bunga Cottages, Puri Mas Boutique Hotel, Qunci Villas, Senggigi Jaya Abadi Supermarket, Sheraton, Square Restaurant, Temptations, The Cowshed, The Office. GILI T: Blue Marlin Dive, Desa Dunia Beda, Gili Divers, Gili Getaway, Gili T Resort, Kayu Cafe, Karma Kayak, Kelapa Villas, Oceano Resort, Pearl Beach Lounge, Pesona Resort, Manta Dive, Nico Boulangerie, Scallywags,The Beach House,The Trawangan,Tir Na Nog,Trawangan Dive,Villa Ombak. GILI AIR: Sunrise Gili Air. SOUTHWEST LOMBOK: Gili Getaway Fastboat, ko-ko-mo Gili Gede,Villa Selalu. SELONG BELANAK: Aura Lounge & Bar, Selong Selo Residences, Sempiak Villas BALI: INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BALI (NGURAH RAI) AIRPORT • SANUR: Air Bali, Bakfickan Bar & Rest, Bali Wake Park, Batu Jimbar Restaurant, Blue Café, Blue Water Express, Coffee Bali House Sanur, Fire Station Restaurant, Jalapeno Rest Sanur, Latif Living, Lila Pantai Sanur, Soul In A Bowl, Stiff Chilli,Tratoria Restaurant,Two Fish Drivers. • KUTA / SIMPANG SIUR: ARC Dental & ARC Clinic, BIMC, Cocoon Spa, Dijon, PT Indo Ned, Reborn Salon, Rejuvie Salon, SOS Clinic. • KUTA: Aryaduta Hotel, Club Havana, Gloria Jean Coffee 1, Henry's Bar & Grill, Mamas Restaurant, Nero Bali Bar & Restaurant, Samudera Bar & Restaurant, Sandbar/Maharani Beach Hotel. Tourist Information. • LEGIAN: Bali Deli, Cafe Marzano, Café Moka, Cafe Seminyak, Chez Gado-Gado, Grain Bali, Pantarei Restaurant, Souq Restaurant, Warung Jerami, Y Sports Bar Bali, Zanzibar Restaurant. • PETITENGET: Bambu Restaurant, Biku Restaurant, Gourmet Café, Kynd Community Restaurant, Living Stone Bakery, Warung Sulawesi, Taco Casa Restaurant, Tiigo Restaurant. • LAKSMANA / OBEROI: Café Bali, Char - Char Bar & Grill, Corner House Restaurant, Happy Chappy Restaurant, Junction Bar and Rest, Kunis Japanese Restaurant, Mamasan Restaurant, Monsieur Spoon Laksmana, Motel Mexicola, Red Carpet, Soho Restaurant, Ultimo Italian Restaurant, The Daily Coffee Kitchen • UMALAS / BATU BELIG: Rustica Cucina Italiana, Hog Wild Restaurant, Monsieur Spoon Restaurant, Spoiled Hairdresser, Habitual Quench & Feed, Nook Warung. • CANGGU: Finn's Recreation Club, Canggu Station, Daily Grind, Peloton Restaurant, The Plumbers Arms, Warung Gouthe, The Savage Kitchen. Printed by PT Temprina Media Grafika, Denpasar, Bali
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Tourism Information
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The Southwest
Southwest Lombok by Asriel Haryadi
The Southwest consists of long meandering coastlines of pristine white sand beaches with thirteen small islands - the Southwest Gilis floating in the sparkling turquoise waters just offshore. Unlike the famous ‘Gili Islands’ in northwest Lombok, the Southwest Gilis are largely uninhabited and have yet to be discovered by most travellers... that’s why we call them ‘The Secret Gilis’! The big island of Gili Gede is rapidly becoming the hub for tourism in the Southwest and, with a range of accommodation and facilities, it’s a good base for island hopping and exploring the area. The picturesque Southwest region starts at Sekotong, just south of Lembar Harbour, and features stunning beaches and bays set against a backdrop of rolling green hills. The drive down the southwest coast is an enjoyable trip, meandering through villages where life is largely untouched by tourism
and where the people are involved in their day-to-day activities of farming, fish cultivation, boating and fishing, brickmaking and other traditional pastimes. The peaceful village of Taun (or Tawun), is situated on a wide, placid bay in Sekotong. The ocean is sparkling turquoise and the dazzling white sand stretches in a wide sweep around the bay.
Gili Nanggu has accommodation for visitors, with simple cottages on the beach and a restaurant. The island is small and the beach has soft white sand and a good reef just offshore for snorkelling. There is also simple accommodation on Gili Sudak (the island closest to the mainland). Travelling a little further south, before the marine culture complex (Balai Budaya Laut), there is a small dirt road leading out onto a white peninsular of sand that juts into beautiful clear waters. Drive to the end for superb views and a close up look at Gili Genting.
Just out in the calm bay are the three lovely islands of Gili Nanggu, Gili Tangkong and Gili Sudak (and the tiny island of Gili Kedis) – all easily accessible by local outrigger boats. A small sign in the nearby village will direct you to the local boat hire area, where you can arrange boat trips out Gili Genting sits just off the tip of the peninsular and at low tide you can walk to Gili Nanggu and the other islands. across the sandbar and explore this Accommodation at Taun has grown over uninhabited island. Old volcanic rocks and the past few years and there are now stone carved from centuries of tidal flow a few small hotels and home stays on create small caves and alcoves, providing shelter for picnics and interesting nooks the bay. It’s easy to base yourself on the mainland and take boat trips to explore all and crannies to explore. the southwest islands from here. Continued on Page 60
Sekotong by Barbara
Tourism Information
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South Coast by Barbara
Further south you will come to the only petrol station along the south coastal road at Tembowong Village. Nearby is the site for catching boats out to Gili Gede, only a few minutes across the water. Gili Gede: The largest of the islands in the area is Gili Gede, appropriately meaning ‘Big Island’. The island lays just offshore and is so large visitors often mistake it for part of the mainland.
Continued from Page 59 resort swimming pool and purpose-built Spa facility and a beachfront restaurant. Guests at the restaurant can enjoy upmarket dining with a menu prepared from fresh locally-sourced seafood, imported Australian meats and in-house breads and bakery items. There is also an outstanding wine and drinks list.
All modern comforts such as air conditioning and ceiling fans, flat screen televisions with satellite channels and DVD, WiFi, fresh (not salt) hot water, plentiful power points for charging devices, and more are provided in each villa. Facilities at the resort include a tennis court, a putting green, a small gym, a
Villa Selalu has a private beachfront and a boathouse equipped with snorkelling gear, sea kayaks, paddle boards and bikes to make the most of your holiday. Individual rooms are available or rent the villa in entirety for the ultimate island escape!
Gili Gede is developing as the main hub for the Southwest Gilis as is one of the few islands in the area that has a choice of accommodation, making it an ideal base for exploring the other nearby islands. The luxurious ko - ko - mo Gili Gede Resort, which opened in February 2016, is the sister resort to ko - ko - mo Resort on Gili Trawangan. The stylish all villa resort, comprising fifteen 1 and 2 bedroom villas with private swimming pools, and one bedroom Villa Kecil (small villas), is spread out over spacious grounds on a pristine beachfront.
enjoy a number of indoor and outdoor living areas, as well as an 18m infinity pool overlooking the ocean surrounded by a spacious deck, BBQ area and lounging pavilion.
At the other end of the scale, there are a few small cottages and home stays on the island with simple accommodation for budget travellers. ko - ko - mo has a purpose-built jetty at the front of the resort and operate their own fast boat service – ‘Gili Getaway’ – making Gili Gede easily accessible, even for a day trip. Perched on the hilltop just to the north of ko - ko – mo is Villa Selalu, a private luxury retreat that enjoys outstanding 360º views of the stunning surroundings. The fully serviced 4 bedroom villa boasts unparalleled luxury with all mod cons and ultra chic furnishings. Guests can
Thamarind Resort is a familyrun resort with reasonably priced accommodation on the beachfront in comfortable rooms or individual bungalows, including a spacious family bungalow. Ideal for a low-key and relaxing holiday on the beach, the resort has private beach area and a restaurant with lovely views serving Indonesian and western meals. The friendly staff at Thamarind can organise a range of activities for all ages and interests. The nearby Ultimate Gili Gede Resort is geared for travellers who are looking for fun and adventure, with a range of activities including diving the Southwest Gilis and surfing trips to nearby Desert Point – a world famous surf location. The resort offers 4 beach bungalows and a 3 bedroom villa for families and friends sharing. On the hillside above the resort is Villa Vista – a spacious and fully-serviced private 4 bedroom villa, which shares all the resort facilities and boasts a swimming pool and stunning views across the ocean.
Villa Selalu, Gili Gede by Barbara
Continued on Page 62
The Southwest
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VILLA SELALU Gili Gede, Lombok
A private, luxury hilltop retreat on Gili Gede with 360 degree uninterrupted views of a truly unique and untouched part of the world. Villa Selalu offers four king size bedrooms with marble ensuites and can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests. *private white sand beach *18m infinity pool *hillside BBQ pavilion *private entertainment room *WIFI *spacious open plan living *fully air conditioned *satellite tv’s in bedrooms *commercial kitchen *fully catered *hillside breakfast berugak *bespoke furnishings and amenities *beach lounges *dedicated manager and staff *boat house *bikes *snorkelling equipment, kayaks, stand-up paddle-boards Whether booking one bedroom as a couple or two or more bedrooms as a group, enjoy exclusive access to the entire villa. For all enquiries: villaselalubookings@gmail.com +62 812 3961 6327 I +61 411 031 607 www.villaselalugiligede.com Visit our BRAND NEW beach box cafÊ, Gili Gede during your stay.
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Tourism Information
Continued from Page 60 Schools of hundreds of small iridescent fish swim past and weirdly shaped squid Both resorts provide meals and can arrange transfers, boat trips, island hopping drift by in the deeper areas. and snorkelling around the islands. There is simple accommodation on Gili Gili Gede is large enough to provide a Layar and a restaurant serving fresh juices, range of activities such as hiking to the beers and tasty meals. hills in the centre for fantastic views Slightly further south, beautiful Gili Asahan across the other islands, exploring attracts visitors with its deserted white deserted beaches and hidden coves, and sand beaches, clear calm waters and meeting the people living on the island, swaying palm trees. who are very friendly and, as yet, unspoilt by tourism.
surfers every year from as far away as Hawaii and Brazil to challenge the huge waves of Desert Point, just offshore.
To the south of Gili Gede, the islands of Gili Ringgit, Layar and Asahan are lined up like secret treasures in the calm sea.
The drive to the point is dotted with bucolic scenery and tiny villages, making it a worthwhile trip even for non-surfers. There is basic surfer accommodation in the area and plans for development in the near future.
Bounty Cruises, a Bali based company, own a large parcel of land on Gili Ringgit and have constructed a boat mooring and pier on the island. There is good snorkelling on the west side of Gili Ringgit, accessed by boat. Large gardens of hard and soft corals lay just beneath the surface and the reef extends along most of the island’s coast. On the other side of the island is where the pier is located, on a fantastic white sand beach. It’s easy to snorkel offshore, just north of the pier and, although the reef isn’t as large as on the other side of the island, there is still plenty to see, and the scenery and beach are lovely. Many are astounded by the pristine conditions and huge schools of turtles seen near Gili Layar – the island between Gili Ringgit and Gili Asahan. Bright blue starfish drape themselves across patches of coral, and bright yellow and black Moorish Idols dart through the water.
Gili Layar
Gili Asahan Eco Lodge and Pearl Beach Resort both offer comfortable accommodation options on the island. Leaving Gili Asahan and back on the mainland, continue south on the coastal road until you come to a main intersection. A signpost to the left leads to the spectacular large bay at Mekaki. The road to the right leads to Labuhan Poh and Pelangan. There are small home-stays and private accommodations spaced out along the road to Bangko-Bangko – known as Desert Point and the surfing Mecca for those in the know – located on the far southwest tip of Lombok. The wide white sand bay is lined with fisherman’s huts and draws hundreds of
Although the road deteriorates after Labuhan Poh, it is still passable for most vehicles in the dry season. During the surfing season, from mid-May to September and again in December, the beach is buzzing with surfers, but otherwise it is a remote and peaceful area. Bali is clearly visible, with the island of Nusa Penida only about an hour’s sail away.
The dive sites of the Southwest reflect a good cross-section of what Indonesian diving has to offer. Dive in and be fascinated by turtles, white tip reef sharks, cuttlefish, moray eels and many other varieties of marine life. The reefs are full of colourful corals, which harbour an amazing variety of marine life, including ghost pipe fish, leaf fish, pygmy seahorses and much more. For non-divers, the islands are a delight for snorkelling – abundant coral reefs lay just below the surface waiting to be explored, filled with thousands of brightly coloured tropical fish, huge sprawling blue starfish and magical turtles gently gliding through the water. It’s easy to imagine hotels and resorts on all these beaches and islands in the future but for now, the Southwest is unspoilt and the Gilis remain the secret islands… stunningly beautiful, pristine and unique, and visited only by the lucky few.
www.thelombokguide.com
Tourism Information 63
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S
KUTA & THE
Tourism Information
UBLIME OUTH COAST
Kuta Beachfront by Dian
Tourists are drawn to the south for the stunning beaches and scenery, the laid back lifestyle, and almost year-round sunshine… as well as some of the best surf breaks in Indonesia! Kuta (sometimes spelt Kute) is the main town and tourism centre on the south coast of Lombok, and is the hub for exploring the fantastic southern beaches and the many places of interest in the region. The Lombok International Airport (LIA) is the only commercial airport on Lombok and is located just 25 minutes’ drive north of Kuta , making access to the south very easy. Located around 60 km south of Mataram, and about one and a half hour’s drive from Senggigi, Kuta makes for a wonderful day trip from other points in Lombok, or an alternative holiday destination for travellers exploring Lombok. Major roads have been upgraded and the main road to Kuta is in very good condition.
over 1000 hectares of prime beach land, will further transform the south coast in coming years.
traditional homes made of thatch and bamboo, with hardened cow and buffalo dung floors.
But for now, the south is still pristine and spectacular.
Nearby, on the hilltop, is one of the oldest mosques in Lombok: Mesjid Kuno. The small building with a thatched roof is considered holy and many believers make pilgrimages to pray here.
The drive down to the south coast is an interesting rural tour through small villages and farming communities. Fields of tobacco, corn and peanuts line the roadsides and farmers till the fields using antiquated ploughs pulled by large water buffalo. Just before arriving in Kuta, the road passes two traditional Sasak villages – Sade and Rambitan. On the east side of the road is Rambitan, a village that caters to tourists and has authentic clusters of thatched Lumbung, or rice barns, and
Slightly further south is Sade, another hilltop village with more Lumbung and traditional homes. Both villages have been renovated and cater to the tourist market, but there are still interesting examples of traditional Sasak architecture and communal living within the compounds, where life continues as it has for centuries. Continued on Page 66
The proximity to the airport has sparked an investment boom in the area over the past couple of years and Kuta has blossomed, with many new hotels, restaurants and cafés catering to increased numbers of tourists. The proposed Mandalika Resort development, with its plans for luxury hotels, villas and supporting facilities on
Aura Lounge Selong Belanak
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Kuta and The South Coast
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Tampa Beach by DC
Residents, who act as guides for a small fee, encourage walks through either of these villages and are happy to share a glimpse of their lifestyles with visitors. Kuta itself is a town on the move that is evolving quickly and positioning itself as the tourism hub for South Lombok. In the past, it offered mainly low budget hotels catering to the thousands of surfers from around the world who are drawn to the area every year. These days, there is a wide variety of accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes, from simple and cheap hotels to luxurious villas with private swimming pools.
As with accommodation options, new restaurants, coffee shops and eateries are springing up in the area almost monthly. Restaurants and cafes in Kuta now rival the foodies scene in Bali and offer a range of choices including Mediterranean, Japanese, Mexican, Asian Fusion, vegan and gluten free, nouvelle cuisine, home-made cakes and breads – dinners are trully spoilt for choice and you can dine in a different place every night without being bored! Kuta offers a full range of tourist facilities from motorbike hire, car rental and tours, surf lessons and surfboard hire and more. There are several mini-markets in town selling drinks, snacks, toiletries and other daily needs, as well as ATM facilities, tour agencies and more.
At present, Kuta boasts just one luxury resort: the Novotel Lombok. The Novotel has a range of accommodation, from comfortable hotel rooms to spacious suites and luxurious villas, some with private swimming pools. Designed to blend in with the environment, the unique style of the buildings at the Novotel are a wonderful example of traditional Sasak architecture. The Novotel occupies a privileged location on the scenic beachfront at Mandalika with a long white sand beach and lovely views across the bay. The stunning resort swimming pool and a bar overlook the beach and happy hours
Tourism Information in the late afternoon are popular even with non-staying guests.
There is also an upmarket Spa and two restaurants at the resort, which hosts a good variety of theme dinners with traditional entertainment during the week. Kuta attracts thousands of visitors every year for the great surf locations at Gerupuk, Ekas and the beaches to the east. It’s easy to hire a board and a surf guide from here to learn surfing or, for experienced surfers, to access the more challenging surf breaks in the area. Otherwise, hire a car or motorbike and you can spend days visiting beautiful, mainly deserted beaches, both to the east and west of Kuta.
67 There are great views from the beach and even better views if you climb the surrounding hills. There are small stalls selling drinks and snacks to enjoy after taking a swim or a stroll to enjoy the views. The government has built a rather ugly building here to host the annual Bau Nyale Festival but nearby there is a lovely monument in the bay commemorating the Mandalika Legend. Tanjung Aan, around 5km east of Kuta, is a long picturesque beach with a wide sweep of white sand, perfect aquamarine water and shady trees on the shore. There are a number of warung or beach cafés along the beach selling cold drinks and beer, as well as snacks and simple meals. One of the best is Warung Turtle. Guests are welcome to relax on the sun lounges on the beach in front of Warung Turtle and spend the day swimming in the calm waters. Dine on the beachfront or in the shade of the café.
Just east of Kuta is Seger Beach (sometimes called Mandalika Beach, after the legendary Princess Mandalika – a beloved character in Sasak folklore who is believed to have sacrificed herself for the good of her people from the rocks overlooking the beach). It is here that thousands of people gather every year to celebrate the colourful ritual of Bau Nyale, when masses of sea worms spawn in the waters offshore.
The fresh grilled fish and the Chicken in Red Sauce are both highly recommended. The Warung has snorkeling equipment, surfboards and stand-up paddle boards for hire and the local owner, Herman, is a friendly host with a wealth of information to help make the most of your visit. The water at Tanjung Aan is calm and clear, with a white sandy bottom making it fantastic for swimming.
There are also perahu (local outrigger boats) available for hire, offering trips around the bay and to the nearby surf breaks. There is a small hill towards the east end with steps cut into the side. It’s an easy climb to the top for lovely views and you can watch the surfers catching the waves offshore. On the far western end of the beach is Bukit Merese – a larger hill and a slightly tougher climb – but worth the effort for the fantastic views from the top. It is popular in the late afternoon, when everyone climbs up to see the spectacular sunsets. Further east of Tanjung Aan is Gerupuk – well known as a top surf location and situated on a peninsula of land that juts out into the ocean. The bay is used for lobster farming and is filled with local boats, which ferry avid surfers to no fewer than five surf breaks nearby. Continued on Page 68
Selong Belanak Beach by DC
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Tourism Information
Mawun Beach by DC
Gerupuk is also evolving and offers a range of simple accommodation and restaurants to cater to the growing tourist trade. The beaches and scenery continue all the way to the east coast, with fantastic places such as Bumbang, Awang Bay, Ekas and Pantai Sorga (Heaven Beach)‌ the name says it all! In the opposite direction, heading west from Kuta, are another series of beautiful beaches and bays hidden behind headlands and rolling hills, providing peaceful and secluded spots for picnics and swimming. All are within easy day trips of Kuta. Are Guling is popular with surfers, with left and right hand reef breaks as well as a beach break for beginners.
There are great views over the bay and to the small island of Gili Nusa just off-shore. Are Guling has a good amount of simple accommodation, mainly catering to surfers and a number of local cafÊs, including places on the beach. Mawun Beach is around 30 minutes’ drive to the west and is an almost circular bay with small green headlands rolling into the ocean from either side. It is a spectacular beach with calm blue waters, perfect for swimming and spending a day lazing on the white sand. There are stalls on the beach selling drinks, snacks and simple meals. Mawi, around another 7km to the west, is for experienced surfers and has good right- and left-hand barrels for surfing when the swell is large enough.
For non-surfers, if you can brave the treacherous road, it is a lovely beach surrounded by small hills, with impressive views; look for the three pinnacles of rock jutting out of the ocean. Selong Belanak is a long sweeping bay framed on each end by headlands and surrounded by rolling hills. The beach is lovely for swimming and has good waves for body surfing, as well as being popular for beginners surfing lessons. There are many small stalls selling drinks and snacks, as well as offering surf lessons and surf board hire. Sempiak Villas has plush villas, some with private pools, perched on the hillside overlooking the bay with breath-taking panoramic views. Continued on Page 72
Sempiak Villas at Selong Belanak by Asriel Haryadi
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Luxurious Escapes...
Private Villas | Holiday Houses | Restaurant & Bar | The Spa Relax and unwind with a luxurious escape at Sempiak Villas with the stunning beauty of Selong Belanak Beach. Enjoy delicious snacks, meals, cool drinks and cocktails at Laut Biru Restaurant on the beachfront or escape to the cool sanctuary of The Spa by Sempiak.
Ph: +62 821 4430 3337 | www.sempiakvillas.com
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The Safe Way to Buy in Paradise! PLOT 2 - STAGE 3 Beautiful ocean views east and west, plus Mt Rinjani view! Sunrise & Gerupuk view (east) and sunset view over The Hill (west). 6.16 ARE (616 sqm) US $75,000 / IDR 1,060,000,000
PLOT 20. (15 ARE + subject to final measure). Take in the stunning Kuta Bay, Prabu Hills, watch sunrises and sunsets from your block! This gorgeous land “eagles view” commands the perfect vantage point to see all that comes and goes! With private access just for you! Special price: US $195,000 / ± IDR 2,755,600,000
View from Plot 1a PLOTS 1 a, b, c and d – all perfectly flat, retained, planted, appox 40m above sea level. Plot 1f offers gorgeous ocean views over the coconut palms. Prices start at US $42,500 / ± IDR 599,500,000 per block
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Kuta and The South Coast
Surfing at Selong Belanak Beach by DC
Laut Biru Restaurant and Bar at Sempiak Villas is a beautiful all-white venue right on the beachfront with lovely views. It is a popular place for a stop – and justifies a day trip in itself – serving fresh and delicious snacks and meals throughout the day in a pretty restaurant on the beach. There is also a serene Day Spa offering massages and beauty treatments.
green valley across to the wide crescent of Selong Belanak Beach and beyond. It’s a breath-taking vista and one that has been attracting hundreds of guests since Aura opened.
the fabulous views. Guests can choose from a delicious assortment of all-day snacks and meals, or pull up a stool at the stylish bar and order an icy cold beer or signature cocktail.
There are both covered and outdoor options for dining at comfortable tables and couches artfully arranged to take in
The outdoor viewing deck overlooks a 23m infinity pool edged in white stone where guests can relax on sun lounges or float in the cool water with the illusion of flowing out into the blue of the bay beyond. Further west of Selong Belanak are the picturesque bays of Torok Aik Berik, Pengantap, Sepi and Belongas, and many more scenic beaches along the way; all are mostly deserted. For exploring this remote area it’s best to use an experienced local guide with a good vehicle. Steeped in history and legend, surrounded by beaches of almost surreal beauty, the south coast is a fascinating area to visit, whether your interests are historical, cultural or just the opportunity to see and explore some of the most beautiful and pristine coastal scenery in Indonesia.
Spend a day exploring the area, with lunch and a swim here as the highlights of your trip. In the Jabon hills behind Selong Belanak is the stunning Aura Lounge and Bar at Selong Selo Residences. Approaching via the winding mountain road, the contemporary design creates a surprising contrast to the small traditional homes dotted on the hilltops. Perched high on the hilltop, Aura Lounge and Bar overlooks the terraced
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Tourism Information
THE GILIS…
Lombok’s Three Iconic Islands https://www.facebook.com/BegadangBackpackers/
Three perfect tropical islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air – sit in the sparkling ocean just off the northwest coast of Lombok. The Gilis, together with Rinjani volcano, are Lombok’s most famous icons and are consistently rated among the top destinations in S E Asia by travellers and travel publications. Every year the Gilis attract tens of thousands of visitors from around the world for their pristine waters, great diving and laid-back charm. The word Gili actually means “small island” in the local dialect, and so these islands have come to be known as “The Gilis” by travellers. Today the Gilis attract a diverse range of visitors – serious diving enthusiasts, sun-seekers looking for the perfect beach getaway, singles, families, and couples of all ages find something to attract them to the Gilis. There is a good selection of accommodation, restaurants and bars, and tourist facilities on all three islands, with the biggest range on Gili Trawangan. While nobody comes to the Gilis for shopping, each island has many shops selling essentials such as sunscreen, mosquito repellent, toiletries, cold drinks,
snacks and more. In addition, there are cheap clothing and t-shirts, sarongs and local handicrafts stalls. Activities include walking, riding bikes, horse riding and kayaking on Gili T, yoga, massage and beauty treatments, glass bottom boat trips and island hopping, liveaboard dive trips and cruises to nearby islands, fishing, sailing, surfing, SUP and all kinds of water-based activities. The islands provide ample opportunities for visitors to swim, relax, sunbathe, explore, snorkel and scuba dive with the many internationally accredited dive operators based in Lombok. Snorkelling from the shore is easy from each of the Gilis and at specific dive locations around the three islands, the pristine waters are home to an abundant variety of corals and thousands of species of tropical fish.
Gili Trawangan – affectionately abbreviated to ‘Gili T’ – is the most developed and popular of the three Gilis, with the greatest range of facilities and activities. It is the largest island of the three and the furthest from the mainland, but is easily reached from Bali in less than 2 hours and is only 10 minutes by speedboat from Lombok. Tagged “the party island”, Gili T continues to cater to the party crowd but also has a cosmopolitan vibe that becomes more evident every year. TripAdvisor® recently rated it as one of the ‘Top 10 Islands in Asia’.
An impressive array of aquatic life can be found here, including green and hawksbill turtles, moray eels, barracuda, reef sharks, and occasionally leopard sharks and manta rays, and more. Visibility is very good and commonly in the 15-30 m range; and water temperatures average 23°C (73°F) to 29°C (84°F). Many of the popular dive companies are owned and operated by westerners and are PADI and SSI licensed dive operators, with professional standards of safety and environmental awareness. Each Gili has developed independently and at different paces, giving each island a different “personality” or style. This means that travellers have a good choice, depending on their individual tastes and what type of island escape they prefer.
The island itself is around 3km long and 2km wide, so walking is easy and you can cycle around the island in around 1 ½ hours (but will need to get off and push your bike through sandy sections in the north). This is the only Gili to rise significantly above sea level and the hill in the south is a great lookout from which to enjoy the spectacular sunsets across the ocean to Bali or the brilliant sunrise over Mt Rinjani on mainland Lombok. On the far south end of the hill are the remnants of old WWII Japanese gun emplacements and crumbling bunkers, but the hand-dug tunnels have been blocked up. Continued on Page 77
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Photo by Sander Buis
The busiest area on Gili T is the east coast, Here you will find the greatest number but Gili T’s popularity means development of bars and restaurants, many hotels and extends around the entire island. resorts, and lots of shops and activities.
Located between Gili Air and Gili T, Meno has the lowest population of the three Gilis and the least number of visitors.
Accommodation on Gili T ranges from basic budget places to mid-range and luxury hotels and private villas, so there is something for everyone.
Resorts, restaurants, dive centres, bars, shops and other businesses line the paved ‘road’ that runs around the entire coast of the island.
Restaurants rival Bali in quality and choice, and there are beachside cafés galore. Dining choices range from fresh seafood and modern healthy fare to authentic Indian, Italian and other cuisines; and from inexpensive Indonesian dishes to sophisticated fine dining.
Small roads meander inland from the main coastal road, where many of the island’s local people live. Home-stays, small hotels and private villas here offer a quieter (and often cheaper) alternative to the beachfront choices.
However, Meno’s popularity has soared over the past 5 years as travellers discover this ‘quieter Gili’ with its beautiful undeveloped beaches and laid back charm – all within easy reach of the diving and activities that have made the Gilis famous.
Even the shopping scene on Gili T is starting to resemble nearby Bali and new shops are springing up almost monthly. Shops and kiosks selling the usual sarongs and t-shirts now rub shoulders with 69 Slam, Billabong, and other brand outlets, as well as stylish little boutiques. There is a lively bar scene at night and the island has a rotating roster, where different bars have licenses to host a party on one night of the week (hence the “party island” reputation). These parties are a big draw-card for the crowds of younger people who come to the island. For those who prefer quieter entertainment, there are many low-key and romantic options, such as beachside dining, Spas, yoga retreats and more. The busiest area, called ‘Sentral’, is on the east of the island, close to the harbour.
Photo by Blue Marine Yoga
The north coast of Gili T has a quieter vibe and offers a peaceful alternative to the central area. Although the beaches to the north can be a bit ordinary, the views are beautiful and snorkelling from the beach is good. The location makes it easy to access the dining and nightlife options nearby but also offers a different, more natural side of the island. Likewise, the south and west coasts are popular with travellers seeking a place away from the crowds and are now dotted with small hotels, private villas and a couple of larger resorts. Although the beaches aren’t as nice as those on the east, the sunsets across the sea to Bali are magical. Gili Meno Gili Meno is the smallest and quietest of the three Gilis, perfect for really getting away from it all.
If you base yourself on Gili Meno, it is easy to dive around the other islands and to make day trips to Gili T and Gili Air via public boats and private boat charter. The water surrounding the island is clear turquoise and the beaches are covered in brilliant white sand, fringed with coconut palms and native sea pines. Like all the Gilis, the best swimming beaches and the most tourist facilities (including the boat harbour) are located along the east coast. It is possible to walk around the whole island on a small beach track in around 90 minutes. Those seeking total tranquillity head to the north and west coasts, where more development has been quietly taking place over the past years. The north coast boasts some beautiful quiet beaches and quality accommodation such as the luxurious Mahamaya Boutique Resort, quirky Adeng-Adeng Resort, and the elegant Seri Resort and Yoga Retreat to the northeast. Continued on Page 78
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Photo by Ilse Verdaasdonk
Apart from these, small hotels and bungalows provide accommodation for those seeking a peaceful place in the sun with uncrowded beaches, clean waters and peaceful nights under the star-filled skies. There is no rowdy bar scene or noisy full moon parties here. Dotted around the island, casual beachfront cafés and bars serve Indonesian and popular western meals, with fresh fish and wood-fired pizzas being Gili Meno specialties.
Gili Air is the island closest to the mainland and can be reached in around 20 minutes by local boat or five minutes by speedboat. Being the closest of the Gilis to the mainland, Gili Air has the largest local population of the three islands; combining the charm of a tropical island with access to the people and culture that make Lombok unique.
Some provide low-key entertainment in the evenings, more so in the high season, but visitors to Gili Meno largely come for romantic escapes and a chance to rejuvenate on the island’s pretty beaches. A major attraction off the west coast is the underwater sculpture named ‘Nest’ located in the sea directly in front of BASK Resort. Snorkelling trips often include a visit to the sculpture or you can swim out to the site from the beach. Depicting 48 life-size male and female figures, standing together in a circle and entwined together on the ground, the art installation by famous sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor is hauntingly beautiful and well worth a visit. Gili Meno is also famous for the many turtles that live here. To swim with these huge creatures – that are so awkward and ungainly on land but move through their natural element with grace – is perhaps the most special underwater experience of all and a major reason for visiting Gili Meno. Gili Air Gili Air has a relaxed, laid-back style and is a good balance between the buzz of Gili T and the chill of Gili Meno.
The bar scene can get pretty lively in the evenings and, during high season, the island kicks into high gear with Full Moon parties on the beach. Alternatively, pull up a seat at one of the beach bars and enjoy live music by some talented local musicians. Activities include walking and cycling around the island, sun bathing, and swimming, snorkelling and diving, free diving, Subwing, kite surfing, glass bottom boat trips, stand up paddle boarding, surfing and other water sports. For exploring, there is a path running parallel to the beach and it takes around 90 minutes to circle the whole island. The interior is criss-crossed with a maze of tracks that can get confusing, but all lead back to the beach.
Like all the Gilis, the best swimming beaches are on the east coast and most development runs along the beaches here down to the harbour in the south.
The calm waters and good visibility make Gili Air an ideal place to learn to dive or to upgrade diving skills. There are a number of professional dive centres on the island and, of course, it is easy to explore the other islands from here.
Popular dive sites on Gili Air that attract divers from the other Gilis include Air The views from all points of the island are Wall off the west coast, Hans Reef and stunning but the east coast, facing Lombok, Frogfish Point off the north coast. is probably the most fantastic – looking The water surrounding the island is a clear, back at the big island with its white translucent aquamarine, made even more beaches and green mountains dominated pure by the sparkling white sand beneath. by Indonesia’s second largest volcano, Mt Rinjani. For those who have never had the pleasure of viewing the magical world Accommodation on Gili Air ranges under the ocean, Gili Air offers a superb from simple back-packer bungalows to opportunity to do so in safety and luxurious air-conditioned rooms and private villas with hot water and swimming comfort. pools. Other activities on the island include yoga and meditation classes, cooking There is a good variety of restaurants and beachside cafés on the island, offering classes, browsing the cute shops, relaxing massages and body treatments, and simply everything from traditional Indonesian chilling out on a beautiful little tropical dishes to up-market international fare, island. authentic Italian and other cuisines.
Gili Air, Lombok
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GILI ISLANDS FAST FACTS Gili Trawangan by Barbara
Boats and Island Hopping: Gili Air, Meno and Trawangan are grouped together off the northwest coast of Lombok and only a short distance apart, so it is easy to move between the three islands.You may want to explore each island for a couple of days or base yourself on one and take day trips to the other islands. Public boats leave from the harbours on each island with transfers to the other islands available every morning and afternoon, eg; Gili Air to Gili Meno, or Gili Air to Gili Trawangan, and vice versa. Prices are reasonable. Purchase tickets at the ticket office located at the harbour on each island. It is possible to charter perahu (local outrigger boats), speed boats and even glass bottom boats for exploring the islands. Bargain hard! Electricity is fairly stable on all three Gilis, although blackouts are sometimes a problem. Most places have their own emergency generators for back-up power but smaller businesses may rely on candles and lanterns when the power goes out. Water is a scarce resource on the islands and is supplied by desalination plants and ground water wells.Your awareness in conserving this finite resource is appreciated; take short showers and opt to reuse bedding and towels. The tap water on all the islands is not suitable for drinking but bottled water is cheap and readily available. Internet is available on all three Gilis at most hotels and restaurants. Connections can be intermittent and speeds are generally slow. All three islands have ATM machines so you don’t need to carry a lot of cash. Credit cards are accepted at most dive shops and larger hotels and restaurants. Money changers are available on all the islands, although the rate is lower than on Lombok.
Health services on the islands are improving and there are basic medical supplies available. There are around a dozen clinics on Gili T, including a 24-hour Clinic at Hotel Vila Ombak. Gili Air also has several clinics and there are local clinics on Gili Meno.
Dress is casual on the islands and it is normal to see tourists walking around in swimsuits, sarongs and shorts. Remember that the islands’ residents are Muslim and nude or topless sunbathing is frowned upon. Please respect island culture and keep your clothes on!
Dive shop staff are also trained for emergency first aid. For anything serious, it is best to visit a hospital on the mainland (see our “Useful Contacts” page). Weather is generally hotter on the islands than mainland Lombok. Make sure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and use sun protection, even on cloudy days. There is no motorised transport on any of the islands. Walk, ride a bicycle or catch a cidomo (local horse cart). None of the islands is very large, so walking is an easy option. Bicycles can be hired for around Rp 50,000 per day, depending on the type and condition of the bike. Some hotels provide bikes free of charge for guests. Cidomo fares are generally expensive and rates are fixed by the koperasi on each island. On Gili T, rates are displayed in the front of the cart. Generally, short distances will cost around Rp 50,000 – 100,000; depending on your bargaining skills. Walking or riding a bike is a nicer option.
Mosquitoes can sometimes be a problem, especially during rainy season. DEET repellents are the best protection and local products such as “Autan” and “OFF!” are relatively cheap and readily available in the shops. The Gili Eco Trust (GET) is a nonprofit organisation based on Gili T that works to protect and conserve the environment. GET activities include reef conservation, waste management and education programmes, to name a few. The Eco Trust raises funds for its programmes through an Eco-tax collected from divers on the islands. The Trust holds regular clean-up days to collect rubbish from the beach and sea. Register at Gili T dive shops and join in the fun! To find out more about Eco-projects and to support GET programmes, visit: www.giliecotrust.com
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GETTING TO THE GILIS
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Photo by Neil Cave
There are numerous fast boat services operating between Bali and the Gilis (as well as many that stop at Bangsal Harbour on the northwest coast of mainland Lombok). Alternatively, you can fly to Lombok and travel across to the Gilis. Fast Boats: With Lombok’s airport based in Central Lombok, fast boat services are a popular option to flying, and provide fast and easy transfers between Bali and the Gilis. Most fast boats leave Bali from either Serangan Harbour in the south of Bali (around 30 minutes from Kuta) or from Padang Bai Harbour in East Bali (around 2 ½ hours from Kuta). In good weather, fast boats can make the crossing in around 80 minutes but in heavy seas the trip can take two hours or more. The Lombok Strait – between Bali and Lombok – is one of the deepest bodies of water in the region and, during certain times of the year, waves can reach up to 4 metres high. Check sea conditions before travelling. As there are so many boats to choose from, search the internet for “Gili fast boat” to check other travellers’ reviews and choose a reliable operator. Avoid companies that practice “over loading” in busy times.
Gili Getaway is a comfortable fast boat departing from Serangan Harbour daily. Gili Getaway provides transfers to Gili T, Gili Air, Bangsal Harbour (on Lombok), as well as to Gili Gede in Southwest Lombok. Fares include air conditioned hotel transfers to main points in Bali. Ph: +62 811 380 1717 | +62 813 3707 4147. www.giligetaway.com By Plane: Fly to Lombok and either stay on the mainland before making a trip out to the Gilis or travel to Senggigi (around 1 hour) to arrange transport to the Gilis. Alternatively, organize a taxi or private
driver from the airport to Bangsal Harbour (approx 1 hour 45 minutes). There are many different options, as described below. Tour companies and dive operators in Senggigi also provide transfers daily. HOTEL TRANSFERS: Many hotels on the islands provide speedboat transfers for guests, as well as pick up services from the airport – enquire when you make your booking. FROM TELUK NARA AND TELUK KODEK: Teluk Nara is a large peaceful bay on the northwest coast, about 25 minutes’ drive north of Senggigi, and Teluk Kodek is a smaller bay directly alongside. Most of the dive companies, hotels and many businesses on the Gilis have boats moored here and transfer guests to the islands every day. It is possible to negotiate private boat trips (including speed boat transfers) out to the islands with local boat owners here, thereby avoiding the hassles of Bangsal. FROM BANGSAL HARBOUR: Catch a taxi to Bangsal Harbour, the main harbour to the Gilis on the northwest coast, about 30 minutes from Senggigi (and a few minutes north of Teluk Nara). Tickets are available from the sign-posted ticket office on the beachfront and boats are operated by Koperasi Angkutan Laut (Sea Transport Cooperative), which monopolises transport to the islands and sets the prices. Ignore touts who want to sell you tickets and buy directly from the office. Public boats are the cheapest option and depart regularly to each of the three islands. Get there early as departures are easier in the mornings. Boat charters are available, with prices depending on the number of passengers and your bargaining skills. Public speedboats operate from Bangsal Harbour to Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air daily from 9am - 4.20pm; but it’s best to get there in the morning. Boats leave roughly every hour and also provide fast and easy transfers between the islands (eg. Gili Air to Gili T). Price is Rp 85,000 per person. Private speedboat charters are available to all three islands, from around Rp 350,000 to Rp 500,000 depending on your bargaining
skills and which island you are going to. Unfortunately, the area is plagued by touts and scams, so ignore them and head directly to the ticket office on the beachfront. Public ferry and charter boat prices are displayed clearly on the wall of the ticket office. Be aware that public boats leave when there are enough passengers to warrant the trip, so you may have to wait for a while. Best times are between 8am and 2pm. If you don’t want to wait, or if the public boat looks dangerously overloaded, you may want to charter a boat, especially if you have a few people in your group. Don’t let anyone carry your bags or, if they offer to carry baggage, negotiate a price first. Ignore people who tell you that there are no return public transfers (there are); or that there is no water, mosquito repellent, etc., on the islands. All the essentials are readily available at shops on all three islands. Bangsal is a pretty area; it’s a shame some of the touts try to ruin it for everyone. If you get stuck at the harbour in the evening, there are some basic home-stays on the road from the beach. Arnel Bungalows is a nice option with pretty rooms at reasonable prices. The attached Salero Minang restaurant serves delicious Minang meals and the friendly owners can help with everything from vehicle hire to travel information and laundry services. www.arnel-restaurant.com FROM SENGGIGI: You can charter local outrigger boats from the beachfront in Senggigi (in front of the Art Markets). The trip out to the islands takes around one and a half hours. The journey up the coast in the morning is very scenic, but you may get wet on the way back. Make sure you negotiate a price with the boatman first! A good alternative is to check out the many dive centres on the main street in Senggigi who offer reasonable rates for transfers, usually including pick up from your hotel. Arranging snorkelling and dive trips inclusive of island transfers is a good way to save time, money and hassles.
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