Lombok, Indonesia

The island of Lombok which means 'Chilli' in Indonesian is located to the east of Bali. From the small black sand bays of Sengiggi, some of the most spectacular sunsets on the planet can be witnessed. The pace of life is slow to the point of stopping and the southern coast of Lombok has some of the most stunning beaches in Indonesia. From silhouetted palms, to mist ringed volcanoes, Lombok island is a haven of natural beauty and just the ticket for getting away from it all which explains the recent popularity of Lombok in recent years. Most tourists make the trip to here to get away from the hustle and bustle of nearby Bali and enjoy the serene beaches.

The flight from Bali to Lombok’s Mataram airport takes just 30 minutes but upon arrival its like stepping into a different era altogether. Getting around is quite convenient with reasonably priced Bemo (converted minivans) or the tourist favourite Cidomo (horse pulled cart).

The local inhabitants of Lombok are called Sasaks. They speak Indonesian as well as their local Sasak language. The other main ethnicity’s include Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese. Lombok has three main districts with three capital cities: Mataram in the west, Praya in central and Selong in east Lombok. The majority of commerce is in the capital city of Mataram in west Lombok.

When it comes to souvenirs from Lombok, its a choice between their woven textiles or potteries which is being exported throughout the world. There are also many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir i.e; wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan.

At the end of the day, Lombok's charm truly lies in its century-old, tranquil coastal areas with virgin white beaches and green mountains.

Some of the major attractions are:

• Mt. Rinjani
• Sendanggile Waterfalls
• Gili Islands
• Mayura Water Palace
• Masbagik Village
• Narmada Palace
• Pura Meru Temple
• Lombok Pottery & Weaving
• Sasak Village
• Mataram Museum