A little info on Lombok
Planning my trip to Lombok I glanced through my guide book to get an idea of the distances and geography of the place.
The closest point of Lombok is 35 kms from Bali, however the ferry ride from Padangbai takes about 4 hours 30 minutes to get to the port of Lember on the west coast of Lombok.
The island itself is 80kms by 70 kms and is a bit smaller than Bali with a population of 2.3 million.
The native Sasak people are muslim and there is also a strong Balinese community on the west coast. Years ago Lombok was under Balinese control and now both islands are part of Indonesia, so I don’t need to take my passport.
Indonesia has 27 provinces (propinsi) Bali being one, Lombok and Sumbawa forming the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat. Each province has a governer.
Looking at the map of Lombok I see that the south of the island occupies a lowland valley that goes east-west, the north of the island rises steeply to the center around several volcanoes, the largest of which is Gunung Rinjani (3726m).
The capitol Mataram lies halfway up the west coast and is 10km from the port of Lember. Furthur up the coast is the resort town of Senggigi.
Living here in Bali and listening to other tourists and expats the consensus seems to be that the Gili islands of NE Lombok are great to dive and snorkel, Rinjani is a great hike if you have 2-3 days, the south coast has unspoilt beaches and the east coast is to be left alone as the muslim people there do not welcome outsiders.
My rough plan is to arrive at Padangbai by 9am, arrive in Lember around 2pm, then ride through Mataram to spend Saturday night in Senggigi. The following day I want to ride north along the coast circling around and swinging through the highlands maybe visiting one of the waterfalls along the way. I’d like to check out the south coast and spend a night in Kuta Lombok.
As I speak I am charging up my camera batteries, cell phone and will pick up my laundry later. Plenty of sun protection is the name of the game so long pants will be included.
Last minute bike adjustments will be to fill the tank, pump up the tires and maybe get some oil for the chain.
I’ve been told traffic on Lombok is sparse which will make a nice change.
I wish everyone in Bali a good Nyepi day and hope you stay silent.
By Nick | Permalink
Related Posts
- Getting Andrea to Lombok Bali
- South coast of Lombok: A taste of the unexplored
- Lombok overview
- Getting to Lombok
- Getting to the Gili Islands
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Comments
Well my mate James Cook reckon theres a bunch of Hawking Skanking CannibalS. Be warned i have heard stories of them throwing rocks at you. There was also a story of a German tourist (yes i can hear you all say well big deal but! ) who was found on a spit in an abandned Camp. They reckon someone was trying to make Pork Satay Schweinhunt a delicacy. So take what Bruce (i take it hes an ossie ) says with a pinch of salt. Be warned as you could end up with a rock crahed over your head being served up on a stcik with a bit of chilli sauce by some roadside vendor. ha haa !!!
G’Day Bruce,
Nice website. I’ll check it in-depth later. Stacks of info!
Nick,
I did the Lombok trip back when I was in Bali. I drove my bike from Bali and was hit with a 20,000 fine each way by the police. Not a big deal and an amazing drive down to the south shore Kuta. I know you don’t do much surfing, but try to bike out to the surf break Mawi outside Kuta. It’s a great ride and you’ll see such awesome scenery. In Kuta, Rinjani Agung is a decent place to stay. Enjoy!
Barrie,
Can you point me in direction of Bruce’s site?
I came up with a few bit’s & pieces..
We are hoping to return to Bali to live in next 5 years or so… Need to get as much info as possible…
By the way how are your travel plans? anytime soon will you be departing? Hope “C” is good….
Hi Tracey,
No probs!. http://www.cyberbali.com
A very informative site with useful info for those wishing to settle in Bali. I for one checked it out in detail!
Thanks Barrie for the commments on the site.
By the way, in spite of my name, I’m not an Aussie.
Cheers,
Bruce
Bruce,
Never thought you were. I always say ‘Gday’ or write it!.
Barrie,
Thanks…I will check it out in depth too!!! We might end up neighbours!
Bruce, I will have a look soon…
Hi Tracey,
That would be fabulous being neighbours!. Oh what parties could evolve.
Candika really wants to live in Bali as opposed to here in Perth. Basically its just a matter of when. No doubt she will be checking things out when we return for a few months this year.
We plan to be living there in next 5-7yrs. Gede should be able to get emplyment back at Airport, so just working out what I want to do, I am trying to get some idea’s of some beneficial Courses or Classes I can do here within next few years to help us be successful, in whatever we chose or decide to do…
Any Idea’s or thoughts are most welcome, I have some Idea’s, just getting them from my dreams to reality…. I will be sure to keep my eyes & ears peeled for parties at your place!
Hi Tracey,
Besides the obvious Arts Degree at Uni where you could major in the Social Sciences, I reckon you can’t go wrong getting your ticket to teach English. I don’t have one [but really should get one] but still taught at a Muslim college in Yogya for a few weeks.
I think that obtaining education in any field where you could help the people of Bali is the go.
Barrie,
I was planning on doing the English Teaching thing, but also looking at opening something for the family to work in etc & give something back to the people, mostly the street kids/Orpahns!
Have a few idea’s, just have to save them pennies for next 5 years!!!!!!
Thanks for the info & suggestions, anymore are WELCOMED!!!!
Tracey,
I’m part of a non-profit organization in Indonesia called 1001Buku (1001Books). We help poor neigbourhoods all accross Indonesia to set up libraries for their kids. Our volunteers collect, sort and distribute donated children books and magazines to all the children libraries accross Indonesia, from Aceh, Bali, to Papua. Once you settle down back in Bali, let me know if you’re interested in setting up a small children library or a book-drop-box in your neigbourhood. We’d like to encourage reading in children and as you know not every parents in Bali or in Indonesia can afford to buy their kids books and magazines, other than school books.
Nick,
Do you know anyone that might be interested to set up something similar in their neigbourhood?
Bob,
No Worries, We often go to our local libraries here with our daughter & they have old books some in pretty good condition for a few cents etc & I grab some, I will start grabbing more & putting them to the side for this Fantastic Idea. I encourage our daughter to read all the time & she loves it.
I will be sure to let friends know I am interested in any old kids books etc that they have prior to them getting rid of them..
Great cause & idea!
Bob,
I will keep my ears open on the library subject.
I know one lady named Kat Blessing who writes for the local paper who is connected to all kinds of cool people and might be a good contact.
Here’s her email.
Thanks Buddy. And I have some photos from my Lombok trip. I’ll send them your way. It was a very successful trip. The locals whom I’ve met seem very comitted in helping us to set up the library.
I think i saw it already, do not remember where though.
Interesting site. As you are off to Lombok, please allow me to correct your misconceptions about the eastern side of the island. I’ve lived in Indonesia for 14 years and have had a house in Bali for most of that time. I now live in Sumbawa and can assure you that the people of eastern Lombok and Sumbawa are quite friendly. Enjoy your trip.