Lombok and beyond
Lombok, the Gili Islands and the rest of Indonesia.
Komodo Island the New Hotspot in the Archipelago
Having a holiday in Bali can be so much more exciting and interesting if you were to venture to the other islands close, or relatively close, to Bali.
The Traditional Weaving of Sukarara in Lombok
Lombok has so much to offer travellers and any visitor to the island will be first struck by the awesome and natural beauty of the environment.
The Lombok Project
Lombok has always lagged behind Bali in regards to tourism. These days, Lombok is used as a stepping stone to the nearby Gili Islands . This doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do on the island.
Hari Raya Waisak: Indonesia
Today in Bali and across Indonesia is Waisak Day . This is a Bhuddist holiday to celebrate the anniversary of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Bhuddism.
Visit Indonesia Year 2008
We are almost halfway through this year and across Indonesia it is Visit Indonesia Year 2008 and every province has some manner of activity planned as well as the normal yearly festivals.
Ecotourism and Development in Bali
In a world where travellers are increasingly aware of the environment and the places they visit and the impact they will have upon that society, ecotourism is booming in most countries.
Lombok Arts & Crafts
The native people of Lombok are called Sasaks and have their own language and arts. Here are some of Lombok's unique arts. • Oncer: Oncer is a war dance performed by males of all ages at festivals.
Lombok for the Christmas period
Bali draws large numbers of foreign visitors over the Christmas period, attracted by the weather, shopping and party atmosphere.
Lombok - the next tourist paradise
Lombok is the island located directly east of Bali across the 1300m deep Lombok Strait . Anyone who has visited Bali and Lombok will tell you the latter has a fraction of the tourism of Bali.
Exploring other islands in Indonesia
Bali is an amazing island in its own right. Even for a person living here, Bali has enough points of interest to keep things exciting, if one is willing to explore.
Indonesian volcanoes
Indonesia is the most active volcanic area on Earth, with 129 active volcanoes . Located straddling the equator and the Ring Of Fire , the country is a long string on islands, who owe their existence…
Map of West Bali
Here is a map of West Bali .
Map of Ubud & Neighboring Villages
Here is a map of Ubud & Neighboring Villages .
Map of Kuta Legian
Here is a map of Kuta Legian .
Map of Tabanan
Here is a map of Tabanan .
Map of Legian
Here is a map of Legian .
Gay friendly Bali
Indonesia has a huge population and consequently a large gay population. The Jakarta Post talks about how the gay population is accepted and where the community is going.
Java: Why go there?
Java is the most populated island in Indonesia and to many Indonesians outside of that island, Java is synonimous with the government.
Indonesia's cultural sites need more attention
Indonesia has some of the world's most diverse and unique natural sites as well as some really interesting man made cultural sites. Protecting and promoting these has not been a priority so far.
Map of Java
Here is a map of Java featuring cities, towns, roads and train lines. Check out these other maps: Amed & Aas Bali Bali Barat National Park Bangli Bedugal, Munduk and Lake Bratan Bukit Peninsula Candi…
Crossing from Bali to Java
Bali and Java are separated by the Bali Strait , a narrow stretch of water only 3km across. Ferries operate 24 hours a day and can be accessed simply by arriving and buying a ticket.
Accommodation in Senggigi Lombok
Here is a guide to accommodation options in Senggigi Lombok . Senggigi is the main tourist center on the west coast of Lombok , and the accommodation is spread over a few kms.
Map of Central Senggigi
Here is a map of Central Senggigi Lombok highlighting accommodation and restaurant options.
Map of Senggigi
Here is a map of greater Senggigi Lombok detailing the coastline with some accommodation options.
East Lombok
East Lombok is probably the least popular part of the island as far as tourists are concerned.
Central Lombok: Kotaraja to Sapit
Kotaraja in Central Lombok , is located 5kms south of the mountain village of Tetebatu .
Central Lombok: Mataram to Tetebatu
Central Lombok is the fertile strip that runs from Mataram in the west to Tanjung Luar and Labuhan Haji in the east.
Map of Gunung Rinjani Lombok
Here is a map of of Gunung Rinjani in Lombok , highlighting accommodation and hiking trails.
Gunung Rinjani and around
Lombok has one huge volcano, Gunung Rinjani ( 3726m ), which is even taller than Bali's Gunung Agung.
North Lombok: Senggigi to Kokok Putih
The north coast of Lombok is a great place to visit for people who enjoy nature and the outdoors.
Accommodation on Gili Air
A map of Gili Air shows that most of the accommodation is on the west and south coasts.
Map of Gili Air
Here is a map of Gili Air highlighting accommodation and food option. Gili Air is the second most active island of the 3 Gili Islands after Gili Trawangan , Gili Meno being the quietest.
Accommodation on Gili Meno
Gili Meno off of Lombok's NW coast , is a smaller version of its more famous neighbour, Gili Trawangan .
Map of Gili Meno
Here is a map of Gili Meno detailing accommodation, food and diving facilities. Gili Meno is one of 3 Gili Islands located 30 minutes off of Lombok's NW coast .
Accommodation in Tetebatu Lombok
Tetebatu in the highlands of Central Lombok could be the perfect place to relax. Its beautiful scenery, cool temperatures and lack of tourists can feel like heaven.
Tetebatu Lombok and surrounding areas
Lombok feels like Bali did 30 years ago, with scattered pockets of tourism and a lot of nothing else.
Map of Tetebatu Lombok
Here is a map of Tetebatu in Central Lombok . Check out these other maps: Bali. Bali Barat National Park. Bangli Bukit Peninsula. Central Bali. East Bali. Map of Gili Trawangan Jimbaran.
Map of Kuta Lombok
Here is a map of Kuta Lombok detailing the accommodation options layout. Check out these other maps: Bali. Bali Barat National Park. Bangli Bukit Peninsula. Central Bali. East Bali.
Gili Trawangan: The desert island getaway
Bali visitors looking for a relaxing change (Bali not relaxing enough for you?), or adventurous folks on a short time-line, looking for a cool place to hang for a few days, ought to consider Gili…
Different impressions from Indonesia
There are 6 billion realities on this planet. One man's heaven is another man's hell and travelling in Indonesia can be both heaven and hell.
Tembowong, Bangko Bangko & Pandana: SW Lombok
Bangko Bangko is the location of the famous Desert Point surf break in SW Lombok .
SW Lombok
Visible from the east coast of Bali, the SW corner of Lombok offers an entirely different experience in terms of culture and scenery.
Batam: Why go there?
After spending a day in Batam my opinion is I didn't see enough of the place to give it much of a review.
Hotels in Batam Indonesia
Batam is a bit of a mystery to me. Its a special economic zone with close access to Singapore, other than that it still seems like a place that is figuring itself out.
Arriving in Batam - leaving Batam
Flying into Batam from Surabaya (my ticket said via Jakarta, but I guess the pilot forgot) the landscape was way different from Bali. Bright orange clay soil, with a back drop of green forest.
Lombok: A quiet alternative to Bali
Lombok and the islands to the east are an adventure waiting to happen. People wanting to get a feel of what Bali was like in the 1970's should catch a ferry to Lombok and step back in time.
Jakarta: A tourist's impression
Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia. I have been through Jakarta at night on a local bus and flown in and out of the airport.
Travelling in Indonesia: An exciting experience
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago. Most people outside of the country do not realize how large it actually is.
Adam Air plane still missing: Oregon mother holds out hope
There has been no further news of the missing Adam Air plane, that dissappeared on its way from Surabaya, to Manado in Sulawesi.
Adam Air crash in Sulawesi Indonesia
Adam Air , one of Indonesia's budget airlines, has lost a plane carrying 96 passengers and 6 crew, over Sulawesi.
Indonesian ferry sink off of north Java
A ferry has sunk off off north Java. Indonesia being a nation of 17,000 islands and not much money, the many boats used for transporting people / goods are always overloaded.
Christmas bliss in Indonesia
Many people come to Bali from Australia to celebrate Christmas and New Year's. Being away from home, not such a big deal, because home is relatively close, and relatives often accompany.
Pancasila: Indonesia's 5 governing principles
The crest of Indonesia, the symbol displayed on all government buildings is the angry looking bird (the Javanese hawk eagle) with its wings outstretched.
Indonesia: An overview from Wikipedia
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, the world's largest archipelago , the place that enjoys the most thunderstorms on Earth.
Bali: What does Wikipedia say about it
Wikipedia is one on my favourite sites on the web. I doubt if there is a content site anywhere, with as much useful factual info. Today I typed in 'Bali' to see what Wikipedia could come up with.
Love it or hate it, Indonesia is unforgetable
Travel writer Mark Moxon can't make up his mind about Indonesia. He says its a love / hate relationship and one that has been infuriating, while satisfying. If we put Mr.
Interview with Barrie about Yogyakarta Indonesia
Barrie is in Bali right now, and will be for another few weeks. Barrie's wife Candika, is from Yogyakarta , in Central Java, and Barrie lived there for 10 years.
Gili Meno: Nuts & Bolts
Located in the middle of the 3 Gili Islands, Gili Meno is the quietest island with the least infrastructure. Points of interest: • Boat landing located on the SE coast.
Gili Air: Nuts & Bolts
Gili Air is the second largest island of the 3 Gili Islands. It is also the second busiest. Points of interest: •Gili Air is a circular island , with many dirt tracks .
Gili Trawangan: Nuts & Bolts
Gili Trawangan is the largest and busiest of the Gili Islands. Points of interest: •Lookout hill in the SW corner of the island. •Beach area near Lookout hill, which is good for watching the sunset.
Extra info submitted by Baliblog reader Peter
Yesterday I wrote an article about the Gili Islands. Baliblog reader Peter sent me some extra info.
Gili Island hopping boats: Lombok
In the Gili Islands , there is no shortage of small local boats willing to transport you, from island to island and back to the mainland.
Travel times in the Gili islands- Perama bus
Here are the Perama bus times in Lombok . Bangsal to: - • Air Sanih (daily, overnight stop required) • Bedugal (daily, overnight stop required) • Candi Dasa (daily, 6 to 6 hours 30 mins) • Kintamani…
Dangers and annoyances in the Gili Islands / Lombok
Exploring the Gili Islands and Lombok myself, first solo on a motorbike, and secondly, with friends in Gili Trawangan, I experienced no dangerous or annoyoying situations.
Diving in the Gili Islands overview
The Gili Islands are never going to win any prizes for the quality of marine life, ask anyone in the diving business.
Getting to the Gili Islands
There are 3 main ways to get to the Gili's from Bali (4 if you're Monte Monfore ). The first is taking a bus, car, motorbike to Padangbai. Catching a ferry to Lember in W.Lombok.
The Gili Islands: Overview
The Gili Islands are located of of Lombok 's NW coast. Basically they are 3 sand islands , ( Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air ) with no rivers, streams or lakes, hence no fresh water .
Sumbawa: The dividing between Asia and the Pacific
Sumbawa is the island to the east of Lombok. The Indonesian archipelago is a string of pearls that strech from Aceh to Papua, and are, for the most part, easy to travel across.
Bali's neighbor: Lombok history
Lombok is Bali's neighbor to the east. While tourism has run rampant in Bali, it has progressed at a crawl in Lombok. A trip to Lombok can be like going back 40 years in Bali.
Barrie's back in Bali
Barrie's back in Bali. That's right, the old lizard, or should I say, wombat, is due to land sometime this afternoon. I will make an effort to meet up with him.
Pancasila: The Indonesian concept of the '5 Principles'
Indonesia is an extrememly difficuly countries to run. With 17,000 islands, 180 ethnic groups, and regional and local tensions things often boil over.
Exploring the 'pirate infested' Spice Islands
The Spice Islands of eastern Indonesia, conjure up images of galleons, emerald green jungle islands, amid turquoise seas.
Eastern Indonesia 'most biologically diverse in all the oceans'
Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago , which means a lot of islands and a lot of water.
Dealing with Dengue Fever: Indonesia
Dengue Fever is one of the tropical diseases that exists in Bali and a recent Jakarta Post article discusses its life cycle and symptoms.
Keep your wits about you when travelling in Indonesia
Travelling in Indonesia can be a real pleasure, new sights, sounds, people and the chance to explore a different culture.
Communalism an integral part of Indonesian culture
Indonesia runs on its own design. As a westerner one sometimes wonders who is in charge, but as scholar Arief Budimen points out, Indonesia has many problems to contend with.
SE Asian 'super destination' gets a boost
Showing remarkable vision, 4 SE Asian countries are moving along with plans to create a 'sub region' as far as tourism is concerned.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part X
We got towed to Siberut harbor and later that night Anise started a fight with a Dutch guy. In our eyes he had totally lost face and it was a shame, because the trip was excellent.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part IX
Some of our group suggested ridiculous ideas, such as paddling with the seat planks (it takes 1 hour with an outboard, good luck with 6 seat planks), some suggested using a plastic tarp to make a…
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part VIII
During the trip our guides were excellent. They could all speak English, Indonesian and Mentawai. On the last day we went by motor canoe to a deserted island beach - very relaxing.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part VII
The floor of the houses are made of 3 inch diameter bamboo poles, tied to longer frame-poles.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part VI
In Indonesia the bathroom situation is a fascinating one. A bathroom consists of an Asian toilet (an enamel hole with 2 foot plates) to squat down on, and a mandi (square tiled box, approximately…
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part V
Anise and Herman would cook and evening meal consisting of rice and noodles, mixed with vegetables. The locals would let us have a taste of their grub.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part III
Siberut is part of the Mentawai islands which are named after the local tribe. After 2 hours in the canoe we arrived at the first village. The Mentawai villagers wear only loin cloths and head bands.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part II
Upon arriving in Padang, we got a local bus to Buktitinggi up a little way in the hills. We arrived at about 11pm and iimmedaitely checked into a losman (cheap hotel) for 8,000rp, about $4.
A letter from Sumatra: 1993-part I
My brother Chris suprised me this afternoon by pulling out a letter I had written him back in 1993. It was sent from Lake Meninjau on the coast of Sumatra .
Mentawai Tattooing Dying: Sumatra, Indonesia
Although once I was tempted to have a henna tattoo in Bali a couple of years ago, I could never entertain the idea of having a permanent one.
Berhala Island: Sumatra, Indonesia
Travelling outside the island of Bali is an adventure in itself and especially if you get off the regular tourist routes and experience the cultures in the villages and chat with the locals.
Nusa Kambangan Prison: The Alcatraz of Indonesia
It houses the Bali Bombers and Indonesian society's worst. It is a fortress that renowned throughout the archipelago as a place you just don't want to end up.
The Pacific Ring of Fire
We all know of this fault line that runs through most of Indonesia and that has caused numerous earthquakes resulting in disaster and loss of life.
Picking Up the Pieces from a Disaster
Most of us can't even imagine what it is like to be plunged into a natural disaster never mind getting over it all. But how can one do it and just how does one cope?.
PNG and Indonesia to Open Border Highway
In a positive move to cement ties with Papua New Guinea and the probability of trade and other ventures, both Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will co-open the borders between the two countries.
Mining in Indonesian National Parks
In the United States the government and big oil companies are eyeing the pristine wilderness of Alaska, in Australia it is Kakadu National Park in the government's resolve to mine Uranium, and even…
Search for Survivors from Java Tsunami
I received a call from Candika in Yogyakarta and she was telling me that rather large waves had struck the beaches in the Parangtritis area sixty kilometres south of the city.
North Sulawesi Volcano Close to Erupting
I find it very eerie that ever since the massive tsunami struck Aceh over a year ago that there has been continuous activity on the Pacific Ring of Fire .
Sendangsono: Central Java, Indonesia
On the slopes of the Menoreh Mountains, 45 kilometres from Yogyakarta in Central Java, Indonesia, is located the sacred shrine of Sendangsono.
WWF Warns Indonesia about Pulp Manufacturers
Over the years I have trekked through some pristine forest areas and happily got lost in jungles.
Badui Tribe Oppose Exile of Rhinoceroses
Last week I posted an article regarding Rhinos being removed from the Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java.
Napoleon Fish Under Threat: Indonesia
A fish is a fish to me and as long as I can fry or grill it then I am happy. I have never heard of a Napoleon fish but no doubt sometime on my travels I have devoured its flesh.
Karimunjawa Islands: North Java, Indonesia
Finding new places in Indonesia that I have yet to visit is a real buzz. For instance, in yesterday's JP I read about the Karimunjawa islands and although I had spent some time in Semarang, I had…