LOMBOK ISLAND INFORMATION | GETTING LOMBOK ISLAND

Lombok Island Information

Geography
Lombok is one of the two main islands of province of West Nusa Tenggara(NTB), about halfway along the Indonesian archipelago. Sumbawa is the other main island of West Nusa Tenggara. Lombok is dominated by one of the highest mountains in Indonesian, Gunung Rinjani, which soar to 3726 meters. A dormant volcano, Rinjani last erupted 1901. It has a large caldera with a crater lake, Segara Anak, 600 meters bellow the rim and new volcanic cone which has formed in the center.

Districts
Lombok is divided into four Kabupaten(districts): Lombok Barat(West Lombok), Lombok Timur (East Lombok), Lombok Tengah(Central Lombok) and Lombok Utara(North Lombok). Mataram is also the administrative capital of the west Nusa Tenggara Province.

Climate
In lombok’s dry season - from June to September-the heat can be scorching. At night particularly at higher elevations, the temperature can drop so much that a jumper(sweater) and light jacket are necessary. Wet season extends from October to may, with December and January the wettest months.

Flora and Fauna
Apart from banana and coconut palms, which grow in profusion over most of Lombok, the forests are confined largely to the mountain regions where they are extensive and dense, tough logging is taking its toll. Teak and Mahogany are among the forest timbers. Other native trees include Bintangur, Kesambi, Bungur and fig, all of which are used widely for building houses. Several species of deer, including Barking Deer, as well as wild Pigs, porcupines, snakes, numerous kinds of lizards, frogs, turtles, long-tailed monkeys, civets and feral cattle are found here.

Population and people
Lombok has a population 4,2 million(1998 cencus), the majority living in and around the main center of Ampenan, Cakaranegara, Mataram, Praya and Selong. Almost 90% of the people are Sasak, about 10% are Balinese and the minority population of Chinese, Javanese and Arabs.

Culture and Customs
Traditional law(adat) is still fundamental to the way of life on Lombok today, particularly customs relating to courting and marriage ritual, and circumcision ceremonies. In western lombok you can see Balinese dances, temple ceremonies, and colorful processions with decorative offerings of flower, fruits and food. Sasak ceremonies area often less visible though you may see colorful procession. Ask around and you can probably find when and where festivals and celebrations are being held.

Language
Most of people on Lombok are bilingual, speaking their own ethnic language, sasak as well as the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, which they are taught at school and use as their formal and official mode of communication.

Post and Telecommunication
The main post office is in Mataram, if you stay in Hotel around Senggigi, you can find the post office in front of Indonesia National Bank. There are other post office on Lombok, but post restate mail is always redirected to Mataram. Telephone services have improved greatly on Lombok. You can make international calls from private or Telkom wartels in most larger town, like in Ampenan. For the cheaper you can use mobile phone and buy the number here.

Electricity
In most towns the electricity supply is 220 volt. Electricity supply may be erratic or nonexistent. Small generator are sometimes used too. Outside the main town and Senggigi you should check before you plug in.

Food and Drink
There are fewer tourist restaurants on Lombok, which means you will be eating Indonesian or Chinese dishes in most places, trough simple sasak food and Padang food is also available. You can may Café and restaurants in main street of Senggigi, like Square Restaurant, Tajuk Café, Papaya Café, etc. Bottled water is widely available. Tea is commonly served with meals. Alcohol is not common on Lombok. You can buy water in Market, Café, Restaurant and small Restaurant(Warong)

Think to Buy
Handicrafts on Lombok are traditional, practical articles like boxes, basketware and pottery, hand -made from natural materials like palm leaf, bamboos, grass, fibers and rattan. Hand women sarongs and fabrics are especially interesting and attractive. You can find more for hand waving in Sukarara, Pottery in Banyumulek and at art shops in Senggigi.

Getting Lombok by Flight

Garuda, Merpati and lion have flight schedule from Mataram to Jakarta, Denpasar and Surabaya.

Singapore Airline has three times a week with the flight schedule Singapore-Lombok-Singapore, Four times a week. Arrival time is at 18.20 pm and depart from Lombok at 19.25.

Merpati Airline, Indonesia Airtransport and Trigana Air have daily flight Denpasar-Lombok-Denpasar.

Batavia Air and Garuda city links fly from Surabaya-Lombok-Surabaya.

Travira Air fly from Mataram to west Sumbawa

Getting Lombok by Fast Boats

Bluwater Safari depart from Benua Harbor(bali)-Arrive at Teluk Nare Harbor(Lombok).

Gili Cat Fast Boat depart from Padang Bai Harbor and arrive at Teluk Kodek Harbor(Lombok). They have daily schedule transfer from Bali-Lombok-Bali.

Black Pearl fast boat offers daily quality fast boat transfers from south Bali to the Gili islands and Lombok.

Mahi Mahi , the largest capacity and the most comfortable fast boat operating between Bali and the Gili Islands.

Narooma with the only daily service from Benoa in south Bali to Gili Trawangan, Gili Air and Lombok.

Eka Jaya Fast Boat provides a reliable service from anywhere in Bali to Gili Trawangan and Lombok.

Ocean Star express operated every day with the transfer of route Bali to Gili Lombok and return back to Serangan Bali

Suranadi Express Ferry
Cheapest fast ferry from Padang Bay to Lembar harbour on Lombok island