LOMBOK ISLAND

Lombok is dominated by Mount Rinjani, the Indonesia's second highest volcano (after Mt. Kerinci in Sumatra). Located in the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara), it's dense primary rainforest still covers the steep slopes of the mountain complex. The Senggigi is well known with its marine tourist activities such as white sandy beach, diving and snorkeling spots, island cottages, the unique culture of Sasak tribes made Lombok - the 'neighbor' island of Bali which isn't tourist yet - in the future will compete Bali.



Sasak, physically and culturally have much common with the Javanese, Balinese and Sumbawanese. Most Sasak are normally Muslim, but many retain elements of the ancient animist beliefs.



Islam and Balinese Hinduism are the two main religions on Lombok, there are also Christian and Buddhist. WEKTU TELU is an indigenous religion, unique to Lombok and thought to have originated in the northern village of Bayan. It is a mixture of Hindu, Islamic and animist influence that make up this religion and the concept of a trinity is embodied in many Wektu telu beliefs.





MATARAM: Mataram is the administrative capital of the province. Some of the public buildings, such as the Bank Indonesia, the new post office and governor’s office and residences are substantial.



SENGGIGI: Senggigi is the most developed tourist area on Lombok, all the tourist facilities are here, plus a range of top-end and mid-range accommodation. Senggigi has fine beaches, although they slope very steeply into the water. There are some snorkeling off the point and in the sheltered bay around the headland. The beautiful sunset over Lombok Strait can be enjoyed from the beach. As the darkness comes, the lights of fishing boats look like a little city just off shore.



GILI ISLANDS: Gili Air, Gili Trawangan and Gilio Meno are three small, coral-fringed islands situated off the north-west of Lombok. These islands have superb, white sany beaches, clear water coarl reefs, brilliantly colored fish, and the best snorkeling on Lombok.



BATU BOLONG TEMPLE: Is a temple on rocky point which just into the sea. The rock on which its seats has a natural hole, giving the temple its name (which literally means ‘rock with hole’. Being a Balinese Temple, it’s oriented toward Gunung Agung, Bali’s holiest mountain, across the Lombok Strait.



MAYURA WATER PALACE: Is an artificial lake with an open-sided floating pavilion that was built in 1744 and once was a part of the royal court of Balinese Kingdom. The pavilion is connected to the shore by a raised footpath and was used both as the court of justice and a meeting place for the Hindu lords. Today the palace grounds are used to for offerings and the occasional cockfight. It’s a pleasant retreat these days but in 1894 this was the site of bloody battles as Dutch and Balinese forces fought over control Lombok.



PURA MERU: Directly opposite the water palace, Pura Meru is the largest temple on Lombok. It was built in 1720, under the patronage of Balinese price, Anak Agung Made Karang, as an attempt to unite all the small kingdoms on Lombok. Intended as a symbol of the universe, the temple is dedicated to to the Hindu’s trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.



NARMADA: Was constructed in 1805, by the King of Mataram. Laid out as a miniature replica of Gunung Rinjani and its crater lake and it has Pura Kalasa, a Baslinese Temple that still use for Pujawali celebration to honor God Batara, who dwells on Gunung Rinjani.



LINGSAR: It is a large temple complex, said to have been built in 1714 for both Hindu and Wektu Telu religions. The Hindu’s temple is on the northern section, little hinger and the Wektu Telu’s temple is on the southern section.



SURANADI: Set in pleasant gardens, is noted for its bubling, icy cold spring water and restored baths with ornate Balinese carvings and it has one of the holiest temple on Lombok.



BANYUMULEK & PENUNJAK: The main traditional Gerabah pottery industries of Lombok. The pottery are made from a local clay with simplest of techniques. It is a rich terracotta color, unglazed but hand burnished to a lovely soft sheen.



SUKARARE: The small village of Sukarare is a traditional weaving center. There’s such a variety of style, quality and size.



REMBITAN & SADE: These are two of Sasak Village of Lombok. Both has an authentic cluster of thatched houses and Lumbung (the traditional rice barns and an architectural symbol of Lombok) surrounded by a wooden fence.



KUTA BEACH: Is the best known place on the south coast of Lombok. There is a magnificent stretch of white sand and blue sea with rugged hills raise around it. Local people flock to Kuta Beach for a yearly traditional festival of Nyale fishing celebration. This is a festival when hundred of Sasaks gather on the beach to catch the worm-like ‘Nyale Fish’, a good catch is a sign that the rice harvest will also be good.
raziey