Lombok: A great break from Bali

Bali often gets all the attention in this part of the world, when it comes to tourism. There is another option close at hand if Bali gets to toursity for you. Lombok is the next island to the east across the Lombok Strait. I have been to Lombok twice. The first time was in 2003 when I rode my motorbike around for 4 days. The other time was in 2004 with Ika, Carey and Donovan, to the Gili Islands.

Lombok to me felt like what Bali must of 40 years ago. All the tourist stuff is in a tight little knot called Senggigi. The Gili Islands are their own thing altogether, but apart from that Kuta Lombok on the south coast is the other tourist beach. Kuta Lombok is very quiet and has maybe 12 guest houses and warungs. Riding around southern Lombok I was wondering where all the people were.

Those people I did encounter were shy, but okay. I gav many people, young and old, male and female, a ride on my motorbike. What’s in Lombok for you to do? Well on the south coast there is surfing, with Desert Point on the far SW a great break when its working. Other places like Ekas, along the south coast are unspoilt, virtually unpopulated and also get swell.

Climbing Mt. Rinjani will take you 3 days, but the views are awesome. A friend of mine from Germany stayed at Tetebatu on the southern slope and loved it.

Senggigi has budget places downtown and boutique places to the north of town. Just north of Senggigi are some beautiful white sand bays with no one on them. Senggigi has a few bars and decent restaurants. You can fly into Lombok from Bali in 30 minutes. You can also rent a car at the airport.