Lombok is a place that for me conjures up the unknown.
Bali sounds like paradise but Lombok sounds like some wild eastern place where anything could happen.
I’ve been living in Bali for over a year now and have never been to Lombok, its about time. My excuse for going now is Nyepi day in Bali which means hiding in your house with no lights on. Been there done that, so here’s a new adventure across the Lombok Strait.
As many people already know the flora and fauna in Lombok and the islands to the east are quite different to Bali and the islands to the west. This fact led biologist Alfred Wallace to conclude in 1862 that thousands of years ago while the Indonesian archipelago was a joined land mass, a deep trench between Bali and Lombok provided a barrier to cross pollonation. His assessment was partially correct and the Lombok Strait is a very deep (1300m) and fast flowing stretch of water. The land mass that was separated from Bali and Java included Kalimantan and the eastern islands and was the dividing line between the predominantly Asian animal life and Australasian animal life. It came to be known to biologists as ‘Wallacia’ but nowadays is refered to as the ‘zone of transition’.
Wallace developed a theory similar to Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species’ and some say he gave the more famous man the link that inspired that well known book.
There are a few ways to get from Bali to Lombok…jump on a longboard and hope the tiger sharks don’t get you, whip out the Gold card and fly from Denpasar to Senggigi, take the high speed ferry from Benoa or ride the slow boat from Padangbai. Most of the people I know take the slow boat so that’s how I will go. The crossing takes about 4 hours 30 minutes and the last one to sink was at least several months ago.
You can take cars and motorbikes over and I plan to take my bike. I got a call on my cellphone this morning from Mick Turnbull who called me from Santa Barbara California. He recommended I leave my bike in Padangbai and rent another in Lombok. There is a price for the crossing (25,000rp) plus another charge for the licence not covering Lombok. We’ll see how I feel when I get there.
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Hi Bob
Good on you for speaking your mind. I admire that. Have fun at Lombok Nick. I’ve not been there before either and my next trip in July will be number 11 for me! I really must get round to it………..
Change money in Bali, much better rate.
Check out Gili Trawangan
Kuta Beach
Waterfalls and treks
Pottery making
Weaving factories
Caution is needed around Mt Rinjani, there has been some problems with tourists being attacked. If you trek, just be sure to go with a qualified guide and let someone know your doing this trek.
Have fun, hope the crossing is smooth!
AS JENNI SAYS YOU HAVE TO WATCH THE UNCOUTH SAVAGES AROUND MT RINJANI. IF YOU RISK GOING UP THERE ON YOUR OWN YOU WILL ALMOST DEFINITELY BE ROBBED OF ALL OYUR POSSESSIONSAND THATS NOT ALL, BUT I WONT GO IN TO THAT. THE ARSEHOLES WAIT FOR YOU AND WILL TRY AND HIT YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH A ROCK OR STONE YOU WITH SOME BLOODY FAIR SIXE STONES IN ORDER TO HAVE THIER WICKED WAY WITH YOU. DESCRITION VERY SMALL , LIITLE GOATEES LONG SCRUFFY CHIP PAN GREASE HAIR AND PIG UGLY BASTARDS. I FOUND WHEN CONFRONTED BY THEM TO GIVE THEM A GODD KICK IN THE ROLEX WATCH BOX AND A SMACK ROUND THE LUG. WITHOUT STONES YOU CAN TAKE OUT 5 OR 6 OF THEM AS I DID WITH A HELP OF A SMALL AMERICAN BASEBALL BAT. DONT THINK IM JOKING EITHER THEY WILL TRY IT ON, BUT THEY TRIED IT ON WITH ONE VERY STRONG FRENCHMAN WHEN THEY TACKLED ME. I MEAN I REALLY BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF 3 OF THEM AND RECKON I LEFT THEM WITH BROKEN BONES. BUT THIS IS WHAT THEY DESERVED I MEAN AFTER THE BOMB THE ISLANDS OF INDONESIA DO NOT NEED THESE SAVAGES. SO IF YOU ARE A VIOLENT PERSON AND FANCY LETTING SOME STEEM OF YOU CAN GO SAVAGE BASHING. ALL YOU NEED IS A GOOD CLUB AND A STURDY PAIR OF TOTECTOR BOOTS AND YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME GOOD FUN. THEY CANNOT GO TO THE POLICE AS THEY ARE THE THIEVES WHO PREY ON WEEK TOURISTS OR THE ELDERLEY, BUT AS I SAY THEY GOT A SHOCK THE DAY THEY TOOK ON MIGHTY PASCAL. VIVA LA FRANCE ! VIVA LA FRANCE!
Nick,
Are you planning to visit Gili Trawangan? Don’t forget to take some pictures if you are. Plus, You gotta try their Ayam “Taliwang”. I had one when I was at the Holiday Inn Senggigi last month and it was to die for!
Bob