DERAWAN ISLAND

The Terrains at Derawan are varied-from walls and fringing reef to caverns. Big green turtles (chelonia mydas), whitetip leopard and nurse sharks, schooling barracudas, napoleon wrasses, cuttle fish, spanish mackerel, jacks and batfishes, and ornamental reef fishes hang out in record densities and diversity.

Dr. Carden Wallace of the Museum of Tropical Queensland found over 50 species of Acropora hard coral on one reef.


Not only it is possible to dive with turtle on every dive at derawan, turtles are also found coming on land every night to procreate; hatchlings are often encountered just below the cottages and restaurant.

My Favourite site, however just on the door step-beneath the pylons of 200 m long jetty.

Here I have found some of the most mind-boggling and bizarre critters i have seen in years; luminous multi coloured dumpling squids, pairs of 3 ft (1 meters) crocodile fishes, finger-sized purple sea horses and unidentified species of worms, tunicates and dwarf scorpiofish.


The quality of diving around Derawan is indeed what divers dream about I have been back four times and i will be back again, again and again.


Michael AW.

BANJARNEGARA

Banjarnegara regency is one of the tourist destinations in Central Java located approximately 150 km from Semarang the capital city of central java province. it offers uniqueness of cultural and natural tourist attractions and worth visiting.

Place of Interest
-Dieng Plateau
Dieng Plateau lies about 55 north east of Banjarnegara town. Dieng is plateau with a variety of attraction either historical site or natural beauty with non polluted fresh air. the name of Dieng derives from the word "Dihyang" which means "Kahyangan or Heaven". Dieng Plateau was selected by the ancestor of King Rake Dyah Wanara dynasty in 809 as a snctum for religious meditation. Various historical remnants in the era of ancient Mataram Empire in Dieng Plateau which still stand upright sturdily is:
the cluster of Arjuna Temple, Gatotkaca Temple, Bima Temple,Dwarawati temple.



-Merdada Lake
Merdada lake represent the widest lake in Dieng Plateau with the natural background of green hill. the view is really amazing. here you can go fishing or boating around lake.

-Sileri Crater
Sileri Crater also represent the widest active crater in Dieng Plateau. The crater has white colored water, as though the ex water to wash the rice prior to cook (called: Leri). Hence, the crater is named as Sileri. Not far from here you can also enjoy the hot water spring of Bitingan and Curug Si Rawe.

-Candradimuka Crater
It is the crater that produces"solfatara" smell white smoke emerging from the crack of the land. The annual traditional event is held here in coincidence with Javanese new year.


-Sirawe Waterfall
This is the only waterfall in Dieng Plateau with 80M in height, situated amid the green mountain with beautiful landscape.

-Serayu River Rafting
Special interest serayu river rafting is in Singomerto, Sigaluh District 3 km from Banjarnegara. Serayu river have an unique character and beautiful, near from highway so its easy to visited.

SATONDA ISLAND

Satonda island lies a tiny, uninhabited island offshore of Sumbawa, separated by a narrow strait from Tambora, the site of the largest and most devastating volcanic eruption in human history.

Satonda itself is a volcano, a small black basaltic cone rising out of the sea. You can land on its little beach, follow a trail to a cleft in the cone, and enter the volcano's caldera. The caldera contains a narrow strip of land surrounding a black, salty lake. Trees grow inside, decorated with mysterious hanging stones over what appear to be graves. The heat inside the caldera is terrible, because the walls of the cone block off all breezes.

Satonda's beach is remarkable because a major portion of its sediment consists of pebbles of pumice. Pumice is foamy volcanic glass, so light that it floats on water. As the waves lap in and out, the pumice portion of the beach washes in and out as well. It is impossible to wear zores (flip-flops) on this beach, because with every step you take, pumice pebbles wash into the space between your foot and your sandal. The pumice pebbles vary from black to white, and some are porphyritic, containing large crystals of black pyroxene.

The jungle growing up around the outside of the cone is home to thousands of enormous fruit bats. They live high up in the trees, circling over the jungle, sleeping in the trees and lazing around during the day. Walking through the jungle beneath them, you can hear them chattering to each other, see them stirring amidst the branches, and smell them in their abundance. At dusk they all fly out at once, darkening the sky like bombers in an old World War II news reel

Sumbawa Island is one of two main islands at Nusa Tenggara Barat province. At this island part four government regions, any Sumbawa Besar, Sumbawa Barat, Dompu and Bima. This area most of dry, if at dry session many place look at chocolate.
Although like that but this island have many tourism object. At Sumbawa region have traditional and nature object. And at Bima region have cultural object especially from Bima kingdom heritage.
At Dompu region that at center of Sumbawa Island, any best area for surfing sport, this area at Lakei beach that famous at world surfer. Dompu region have also popular of Tambora Mountain. This mountain is at south of Dompu that to erupt at 1815. This erupt is devastating natural disaster in the world.

Big effect of this erupt that can see until now are big hole with one kilometers depth at radius seven kilometers. This disaster makes disappear three kingdoms at Dompu and Bima in one moment. These kingdoms are Pekat kingdom, Sanggar kingdom and Tambora kingdom. Paroksismal explosion heard until at Bangka and Belitung Island (at Sumatera Island).
Whereas earthquake because of this erupt feel until at Surabaya (at Java Island). More effect of this explosion is three days at Surabaya so dark because of cloud. And explosion smoke tall until thousand kilometers in the sky.

At northwest cross of Sumbawa any Satonda Island. Wide of this island just 4, 8 kilometers and any lake in. All plate of lake is coral. This water is salt.

This object has thousand years at stake of two region government, between Dompu government and Bima government. This island located at Nangamiru village at Dompu. Satonda is destination tourism that tour from Bali to Komodo Island. Satonda has popular as world miracle. Beside water is salt this lake has going down level the water like sea also.

The natural phenomena had research many experts like E.T Degens, V Ittekot Stephan Kempe (Institute of Biogechemistry and Marine Chemistry, University of Hamburg German) at November 1984 and Prof. D Eisma, Josef Kazmierczak (Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences Polandia) at December 1986 and 1995. And than research by Prof. How Kin wong and Uwe Selge at 1986.

At the assumption this phenomena cause sea water to get on lake that early time is Satonda caldera at two thousand pre masehi. This water in to there is erupt effect Tambora mountain at 1815 ago. This is can be proof from to fall part at this lake. Guess of to drive through the sea water at south part lake as tall as ten meters.

And depth of this lake about fifteen to sixty-nine meters. This water is so clear. About salt this water has different, at level on water 22, 8 meter salt is ninety percent as compared to sea water and at fifty meters depth the salt more than sea water at that is until 108 to 117 percent.

At this sea many flying fish, dolphin and at island many deer. This island known have Kalibuda tree which get poison rubber. This rubber can make blind the eyes. The Kalibuda tree believed as sacred tree at local people.
This tree believed as dreams tree because in the branch many dreams to hope. Many people believe if they to hang their dreams by rock at the branch, it is make cam true. Near from this tree any scared grave some one that believed had disappear.

Security of there is Letnan Muda I (purn) Pudjadi R that to identify oneself as Laksamana Sudomo’s friend and at one group with General Susilo Sudarman (ex minister of Soeharto government). In this tree Sudomo had hung dream rock also.

For natural lover Satonda is good view from the hill. For climber fans can climb mountain side. Many activities other can do it like forest that has many botany collections. For scientists that research field.
According vice of mining department office at NTB Heryadi Rachmat, Satonda Island has tree fossils (precambrium) that older. That is special magnet for many people came in. At special leaflet print by Geologist board of Indonesia at NTB, Satonda is Volcano Island that appear from one thousand meter depth. This lake look like eight number, diameter of big caldera at south part is 950 meter and at north is 400 meter. This water has temperature 28 C to 39 C with PH 7 up 8. Early this water is neutral and change because tsunami effect when erupt mountain at 1815 ago.

Satonda is magnet destination for tourism object, every week many yacht came in from Bali and Lombok. No body lives in this island. That is for maximal service object. People moved to Labuhan Kenanga Bima.

At north part Satonda to get on gold of three angel at tourism by Dompu tourism department office. Gold of three angel Tamosa are Tambora, Moyo and Satonda which have best tourism object at Sumbawa Island.
At Bimaness version, Satonda is including Bima area. Dompu also claim include Bima area. But this claim argued Dompu government that based Dutch and Dompu kingdom treaty at 1886 and 1905. in this treaty Satonda include as Dompu area.

Actually at 1995, Warsito as NTB governor (this time) has to turn over to Dompu region. This is based consider three aspect like geography, demography and land condition. But Bima representative council (DPRD Bima) reject this fulfillment.

TO SATONDA
Satonda located at Flores Sea about three kilometers from Sanggar area. From Mataram to Satonda must by Dompu region by bus have pay sixty thousand rupiahs. Tariff by bus to Calabahi from Dompu is fifteen thousand rupiahs if get speed boat to cross the sea, carter boat tariff is fifty thousand rupiahs.
Journey to Satonda from Dompu is rather difficult. For came this location must be through rough journey. Because at north Dompu way not yet good. Many hole in the way. From Dompu to Calabahi is as far as 106 kilometers needed more than six hours to get there. That’s way many people by sea to get there.

Source : labuanbajo-flores.com

BINTAN ISLAND

Bintan is the largest island in the Riau province, with its area is 1.140 sq. km width, with a coastline of about 105 km. The island has a population of about 200.000, and like the rest of Riau this is a true mix of cultures like Malay, Bugis, Chinese and the Orang Laut. Bintan is very close to the equator and have a tropical climate throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 21° to 32°, with an average of 26° Celsius.

Bintan and Batam saw before the economic crisis huge investments and development, including industrial parks and large tourist resorts. Bintan has since become a popular tourist destination due to its close vicinity to Singapore. Here we can get accommodation of all standards, and it is still possible to find a peaceful spot on Bintan far from other tourists. Most of the tourism is concentrated on the north coast around Lagoi, while the east coast is still unspoiled and worth a visit. In a not so distant past Bintan was completely covered with tropical rain forest. This is now all gone, except a small forest that covers the highest mountain on the island, Bintan Besar. The mountain is the remains of an old volcano, and has an elevation of 376 m, the highest point on the Riau islands.

In Bintan, diving promises to be comfortably civilized, with all underwater needs catered to Mana Mana Beach Club - Bintan Resort's professional water sports center. Out of the water, Bintan will be the place with something for everyone. There's the golf course, horses for riding and jungles for trekking - alternatives aplenty to tempt hardened divers to stay topside.

Place Of Interest

Tanjung Pinang
About an hour and forty-five minutes further south by car or 50 mintues by speedboat from Bintan Resorts is Tanjung Pinang, the administrative and trading capital of the Riau Archipelago.

An excursion to this picturesque town offers travellers a glimpse into the quaint and rustic lifestyle of the Riau people in a bygone era of kings, warriors and simple fishing folk.

On arrival, visitors are greeted by a cluster of wooden huts set on stilts which are linked by a maze of open-planked walkways (pelantar). Beyond the stilt villages is the town proper which is a hive of colour and activity.

With busy streets, waves of people weaving in and out of the alleys, and the deafening shouts of street hawkers calling out to all-and-sundry to buy their wares, Tanjung Pinang projects a cheerful sense of 'disorder' which is extremely attractive to those looking for an off-beat experience.

• Historical Significance
  Pulau Bintan is the largest island on the Riau Archipelago. Occasionally, due to its large size and political significance as the seat of the Johore Empire during the 18th century, historians have commonly referred it simply as Riau. Riau was located near the present site of Tanjung Pinang, which was the main port of call. However, during the 18th and 19th centuries, Riau also included minor establishments (i.e. markets, fortresses, places, etc.) at Sungai Riau, Pulau Biram Dewa, Pulau Bayan, Pulau Penyengat and Sungai Galang Besar.
  
  All these places are located in the vicinity of Tanjung Pinang in the western part of the Bay of Bintan. Among the local Chinese population at Tanjung Pinang, Riau is in fact the most commonly used name for Tanjung Pinang.
  
  
• Sightseeing
  Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument of Struggle
  Situated in the western part of Tanjung Pinang and directly facing Penyengat Island is the Raja Haji Fisabilillah Monument of Struggle. This 28-metre tall monument describes the exploits of the sea hero Raja Haji during the struggle against the Dutch colonial rule. The battle on sea took place exactly in front of the monument on January 6, 1784, where the defending locals managed to defeat the Dutch battleship, Malaccas Wel Varen and killed more than 500 Dutch soldiers.
  
  While the battle, almost 220 years ago, was a scene of carnage and strife, the monument is now a picture of perfect tranquility to view the sunset.
  
  Offshore villages
  The delights of Tanjung Pinang lie in its many 'offshoots' - islands offering the authentic charm and history of Bintan and its people. The best way to experience Riau is to visit the offshore villages located a few minutes' ride away from Tanjung Pinang. The quiet fishing villages of Penyengat and Senggarang, a mere 15 minutes away provide an interesting contrast between the local Malay and Chinese cultures, while Pulau Mapur (Mapur Island) 16km east of Bintan has a long and untouched sandy beach with rocky headlands and is great for snorkelling and camping.
  
  
• Shopping
  Shopping at Tanjung Pinang is pleasantly affordable, with its colourful variety of goods and cheap bargains. The shophouses here offer all kinds of dried foodstuffs, electronic goods, antique ceramics and handicrafts but the best bargain is to be made with the streetside peddler.
  
  With their display of jewelled stones, hand-made toys, local artefacts, hand-made Javanese batik cloths and light cotton wraps (also known as sarong) dyed in various vibrant hues, the roadside peddlers are ever willing to explain their wares if you asked them.
  
  Roadside stalls with fresh produce are another common sight at Tanjung Pinang. Featuring an amazing variety of fish, gigantic prawns, dried shrimps, crunchy crackers, savoury ikan bilis (anchovies), and all kinds of sweet, sour or salty tidbits, fresh green vegetables, and local tropical fruits all stacked high on wooden carts, the rock bottom prices are still open to bargaining.

  Do note that most peddlers deal in the local Indonesian Rupiah so it's best to have your money changed before you head down south.
  

• Dining
  For true local dining, Tanjung Pinang is the best place to experience Riau cuisine at its most defined. While most tourists head down toward the larger and more expensive restaurants at the city centre, Sungai Jang is rather well known among the locals for its good and inexpensive seafood and wide selection of huge green mussels, gong gongs (seasnails), ocean prawns, fish and squid, etc.
  
  For traditional Indonesian Nasi Padang (cooked rice dishes), Jalan Bakar Batu near the town centre has many open-air stalls selling traditional curried meat dishes such as Rendang Daging, Dendang Balado and Singgam Ayam.

  The famous Tanjung Pinang otak otak - grilled over a charcoal stove - is actually fish meat cooked in coconut milk blended with Indonesian spices and wrapped ingeniously within two cuts of coconut leaf.

---

Penyengat Island

• Historical Significance
  Penyengat Island (situated on the southern tip of Bintan Island) was, for a long time, a strategic defence location for the rulers of Bintan because of its supply of fresh spring water and natural defence from the North-East Monsoon, thus making it the natural harbour of Riau until Singapore came along.
  
  Around 1803, Penyengat Island developed from a centre of protection into a state, which became the seat of the Yandipertuan Muda of the Riau-Lingga Kingdom. Since then, Penyengat Island became the center of government, tradition, Islamic religion and the cradle of ancient Malay heritage.
  
  The significant role of Penyengat ended when the last Sultan of the Riau-Lingga - Abdul Rahman Muazzan Shah, left the island for Singapore because he was not willing to sign the contract that terminated the rights and authority of the traditional king and officers of Riau.
  
  In Singapore, the Sultan and his followers were informed by the Dutch, then the colonial occupants of Bintan, that their properties, including palaces, buildings, land, etc, would be confiscated. Thus to prevent these properties from falling into Dutch hands, the Sultan ordered the people living on Penyengat to destroy the buildings or whatever the Dutch might take possession of.

  This is the reason why there is nothing left today from the Riau-Lingga Sultanate that shows its former glory; only a few structures such as the Sultan's Mosque, a few royal tombs, and a couple of old palaces and other old buildings remain.

• People
  There are about 2500 residents on Penyengat Island, about one third of them are related to their historical royalty. While most of the residents are fisher folk, some of them are also employed with the civil service on the main island but most of them today still lead the lives of fisher folk.
  
  
• Dutch Fort & Ammunitions House
  Dutch influence increased after the defeat of the Portuguese in Melaka in 1641 and the sultans gradually lost their hold on trade and eventually their independence. The remnants of the Dutch fort on Penyengat signify the yesteryears of glory before the British ousted the Dutch from both Melaka and Riau.
  
  
• Sultan of Riau Grand Mosque
  The main attraction in Penyengat is the acoustically perfect yellow mosque, built in 1818, still standing tall and well-preserved. Its charm lies in a fairytale local belief that the mosque had been built with the egg whites lovingly presented by loyal subjects on the eve of the sultan's wedding.
  
  
• Mausoleums & Palaces
  It is interesting to note that most of the mausoleums and palace architecture on Penyengat followed traditional Middle Eastern Muslim influences, as compared to the traditional Malay architecture of supporting structures on elevated stilts/pillars. The last Royal Palace that was destroyed before the Dutch took over also has similarities to the Istana Kampong Glam in Singapore.
  
  It is also interesting to note the fusion of cultures between the Chinese and Malay. For instance, the colour 'yellow' is also extensively used to denote royalty. This can be traced back to the yellow umbrella that was bestowed upon the first Sultan of Malacca by visiting Chinese ambassadors. Since then, royal markings are denoted by the colour yellow. Visitors should also look out for the octagonal roof found at one of the Royal Mausoleums, which also feature a gourd-shaped crown. (Both the octagon and the gourd are lucky symbols in traditional Chinese iconography.)
• Berakit
  Berakit, a very traditional fishing village largely at the north-eastern point of Bintan, comprises 'atap' (thatched roof) houses over a tidal estuary.

  Many of the sea-faring 'orang laut', the original settlers of this myriad of islands, have relocated here. At this village you can see the daily activities of the Riau fishing community, such as the thousands of 'ikan bilis' (dried fish) being dried in the sun.

  ---

  Sebung Pereh & Busung
  Sebung Pereh and Busung are typical of the small Malay fishing villages that can be found around the coastal coconut plantations. The settlers in these villages live in unique traditional houses on stilts, elevated over the water and lead fairly simple lives, often getting by without modern amenities or even electricity.

  ---

  Tanjung Uban
  The second largest town in Bintan, Tanjung Uban is also an oil storage and district centre. It also serves as a take-off point for Batam.

  The main thoroughfare is the 'Pelantar' (boardwalk) with its houses, accommodation, shops and restaurants built over the sea.

  Behind this is the main street lined with service shops, typical of the small coastal towns within the Riau Archipelago.

  ---

  Trikora Beach
  Located on the eastern shores of Bintan Island, Trikora Beach boasts of beautiful and isolated beaches on Bintan Island. With its powdery white sand and clear pristine waters, Trikora Beach also serves as a getaway for the locals during holidays and festive seasons.

  Lining the beachfront are several atap huts which double up as stalls during the holiday seasons, selling local Indonesian snacks.
  
  Trikora Beach is also home to a fishing village located nearby and is evident by the numerous 'mobile kelongs' that line the horizon. There is also a small ship-building facility nearby where the local fishing community build and mend new or existing boats using ancient traditional methods of boat making.

  ---

  Kawal
  Located a few minutes away from Trikora is Kawal, a quaint fishing port where fish auctions are frequently held. Being the only deep-water channel in the North-East, Kawal is also the fishing centre of Bintan.

  From the bridge in the centre of the town, observe a vista of fishing boats, houses and storage yards all built on stilts. A remnant of the past at Kawal is the large kilns once used to make charcoal from "bakau" (mangrove wood).

  ---

  Senggarang

• Historical Significance
  Senggarang, another short sampan-ride away from Tanjung Pinang, is the hometown of the Chinese which began arriving in large numbers in Riau in the 1740s and 1750s. Between 1734 and 1740, the second Bugis Yamtuan Muda of Riau, Daing Chelak, invited Chinese merchants and coolies to open up gambier plantations on Pulau Bintan. While most of the Chinese settlers remained in Tanjung Pinang, a large number of Chinese villages sprouted further up north at Senggarang.
  
  Today, Senggarang is an old settlement mostly built on stilts and the village's cobbled square is lined with a number of hundred-year-old Chinese temples with carved doors and eaves.
  
  
• Main Attractions
  There is a particularly unusual Chinese temple sitting below a gigantic, spreading banyan tree. The story goes that an old man had wanted to die in his house and be buried in it. A tree then grewaround the house.
  
  Villagers came to make offerings and ask for favours, which were granted. And in time to come, the house became a temple. Till today, devotees from as far away as Singapore and Malaysia make their yearly pilgrimage to visit this shrine, believed to bestow good fortune to the lucky.

NIAS ISLAND

Nias Island lies on latitude 10 30' north and longitude 970 98' east. It covers an areas of 5,625 km2 which is mostly lowland area of ± 800 m above sea level. It is the biggest in a group of islands on this side of Sumatera that is part of the province of Sumatera Utara. This area consists of 131 islands and Nias Island is the biggest. The population in this area is about 639,675 people (including Malay, Batak, and Chinese). Nias has a very unique culture and nature which is far different from other areas in North Sumatra. This is because of its separate and remote location from the rest of Sumatra. To reach this place, there is weekly ship from Jakarta (the capital city of Indonesia) to Gunung Sitoli; There are Ferries from Sibolga to Gunung Sitoli, Teluk Dalam, or Lahewa every day; Before the crisis hit Indonesia, there is daily flight from Medan to Gunung Sitoli, however it is less frequent nowadays. Gunung Sitoli is the capital city of Nias and it is the center of administration and business affairs of regency. There are several travel agencies hotels, public busses and rental cars to support tourism here. There are also some government and private banks available. Cultural side of the island is a very attractive one. The most famous and unique cultural activity is stone-jump, where men make thrilling leaps over a high pile of stone with height over 2 meters. The jump made to prove one's manhood. Visitors can find this activity performed in village of Bawomatoluo, Hilisimaetano or in other surrounding villages. Stone-jump occasion is used to prove one's manhood. The stone piles may reach over 2 meters high, actually this is dangerous but yet thrilling sport. Nias traditional war dances also very attractive, just don't be upset if now this dance performed with no intention to declare real war. The performers wear traditional costumes, warriors jacket made from black palm fiber (called ijuk) and bark-cloth fiber, and their heads garnished with bird feather, while in their hand they carry spears and shield. Traditional house of this island is very interesting. Village of Bawomatoluo or ‘sunhill’ has the oldest and largest Omo Sebua or Ig house of this indigenous, warlike Nias tribe. This house with height up to 22 meters and some of its pillars are thicker than a meter still owned and inhabited by the royal family. In addition to its magnificent architecture, it has appealing wall carving that honor great ritual feast, and garnished with furnitured, like tables and chairs weighing up to 18 tons each.

LOMBOK ISLAND

LOMBOK ISLAND - INDONESIA

LOMBOK ISLAND INFORMATION

Lombok (1990 pop. 2,403,025) is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It is part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east. It is roughly circular, with a "tail" to the southwest, about 70 km across and a total area of about 4,725 km² (1,825 sq mi). The administrative capital and largest city on the island is Mataram.

History
The Dutch first visited Lombok in 1674 and settled the eastern part of the island, leaving the western half to be ruled by a Hindu dynasty from Bali. The Sasaks chafed under Balinese rule, and a revolt in 1891 ended in 1894 with the annexation of the entire island to the Netherlands East Indies.

Geography and demographics
The Lombok Strait marks the passage of the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia that is known as the Wallace Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major biomes.

The island's topography is dominated by the centrally-located stratovolcano Mount Rinjani, which rises to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), making it the third-highest in Indonesia. The most recent eruption of Rinjani was in June-July, 1994. The volcano, and its sacred crater lake, Lake Segara Anak, are protected by a National Park established in 1997. The southern part of the island is a fertile plain where corn, rice, coffee, tobacco, and cotton are grown.

The island's inhabitants are 85% Sasak (a people, closely related to the Balinese, but mostly practising Islam), 10-15% Balinese, with the small remainder being Chinese, Arab, Javanese, and Sumbawanese.

Economy and politics
Lombok has much in common with nearby Bali, but less well-known and less-visited by foreigners. It has been working to increase its visibility to tourists in recent years, promoting itself as an "unspoiled Bali". The most-developed center of tourism is Senggigi, spread in a 10-kilometer strip along the coastal road north of Mataram, while backpackers congregate in the Gili Islands off the west coast. Other popular tourist destinations include Kuta (distinctly different from Kuta, Bali) where surfing is considered some of the best in the world by leading surfing magazines. The Kuta area is also famous for its beautiful, untouched beaches.

While the area may be considered economically depressed by First World standards, the island is fertile, has sufficient rainfall in most areas for agriculture, and possesses a variety of climate zones. Consequently, food in abundant quantity and variety is available inexpensively at local farmer's markets. A family of 4 can eat rice, vegetables, and fruit for as little as US$0.50. Even though a family income may be as small as US$1.00 per day from fishing or farming, many families are able to live a happy and productive live on astonishingly small incomes.

In early 2000 thousands fled from religious and ethnic violence that swept over the island, and tensions remain. Some travel websites warn that tourists sometimes provoke anger in this economically depressed region. This warning lacks credibility, since all of Lombok has had a long history of welcoming visitors to the island. Both the government and many of the residents recognize that tourism and the services required by tourists is Lombok's highest source of income. Further proof of the island's hospitality is show by the fact that tourists are virtually never seriously injured by any interaction with the local population. There is also a refugee camp on the island, costs paid for by Australia, which holds mostly Hazara Afghans who have tried to enter Australia by boat.

Cities
* Bangsal - little harbor servicing the Gili Islands
* Kuta - a surfing mecca like its Bali namesake, but that's where the similarities end
* Lembar - for boats to Bali
* Mataram - the largest city by far
* Senggigi - the main tourist strip, including the neighboring beach of Mangsit

Understand
Located just east of Bali, Lombok has been promoted as "an unspoiled Bali" for quite some time, with beautiful beaches and the large, looming volcano of Mount Rinjani.

The more Islamic culture in Lombok compared than Bali may explain the reason why Lombok is quieter than Bali in terms of parties and nightlife, which can be either a positive or a negative depending on your point of view. Lombok is also becoming increasingly popular for honeymooners.

Culture
Lombok's people are 85% Sasak, culturally and linguistically closely related to the Balinese, but unlike Bali's Hindu they are Muslims. A notable non-orthodox Islamic group found only on Lombok are the Wektu Telu ("Three Prayers"), who as the name suggests pray only three times daily, instead of the five times required in the Quran.

Climate
While tropical, hot and humid, Lombok is drier than neighboring Bali, which makes it a particularly attractive option during the October-December rainy season (it rains on Lombok too, but rarely for more than an hour). The peak of the tourist season, though, is May through August.

Get in
By plane
Lombok's only airport is Mataram's Selaparang Airport (AMI), which occasionally also shows up in flight schedules as "Ampenan" (hence the seemingly odd airport code). There are frequent connections to Denpasar on Bali (30 min) and Surabaya (1 hour) on Garuda, Merpati and Germania Trisakti ("GT Air"), but only a single flight per day to Jakarta (on Garuda). A flight offered from and to Yogyakarta (on Garuda) is currently not being scheduled anymore. International flights are limited to Kuala Lumpur daily on Merpati and Singapore thrice weekly on Silk Air, with visas available on arrival. Lombok Network maintains a useful, mostly-updated flight schedule listing all flights to the island.

By boat
Slow boats from Padang Bai on Bali leave about every hour for the four- to five-hour trip to Lembar (Rp 35,000). The slow ferries are a bit rusty and dusty, with minimal restroom facilities, and are used mostly by locals, with few tourists on board. Access to the passenger deck is usually from the vehicle deck via steep and narrow stairs, so maneuvering heavy luggage is a challenge. Would-be porters wait by the docks, and will happily carry your stuff for Rp 10,000 per item. Sometimes they insist on doing so even when you don't ask. They can be a bit intimidating, and sometimes try to overcharge. Lots of Kuta travel agents offer end-to-end transport, including a van ride from your Bali hotel to Padang Bai, the ferry ticket, and a ride from the dock on Lombok to your ultimate destination, for Rp 130,000 and up depending on where you are going in Lombok.

Fast ferries run from Benoa on Bali to Lembar on Lombok twice daily in season, one daily in the off season. The trip takes just 2 hours but costs US$25/30 depending on class. Perama Tour also runs daily cruises from Padang Bai directly to Senggigi for Rp 220,000.

Get around
By bemo
Bemos (converted passenger-carrying minivans) are the main means of long-distance transport on Lombok. They can be hailed down on all larger streets, and will happily take you even short hops around Senggigi. Fares are cheap: for example, as of November 2005 the official fare from Mataram to Senggigi is Rp. 1500/person, but tourists tend to get charged a bit extra and empty bemos will expect you to charter them for a higher price yet. Travel agents can also get you on semi-regular shuttle services, which connect Senggigi, the airport, and the harbors of Lembar (for Bali) and Bangsal (for the Gilis).

By taxi
Metered taxis are a fairly new development on Lombok, but they have become quite common in Mataram and Senggigi. The largest operator is Blue Bird, although there are a few other companies competing for your custom. As of November 2005, flag fall is Rp3,850 and the meter ticks up a few hundred rupiah for every hundred meters past 2 km. Figure on Rp10,000 for hops around town and around Rp30,000 from Senggigi to Mataram.

By horse cart
Horse-pulled carts known as cidomo are very common on Lombok, and while a bit touristy in Senggigi, they're still a serious method of transportation. Make sure that you bargain the rate before the journey. In the Gilis there are no cars or motorbikes, so cidomo or bicycle is the only way to go.

By boat
Traditional fishing boats known as perahu ply the waters around Lombok, and are instantly recognizable due to their rather unusual feature of having two logs attached by bars on both sides like a catamaran, for greater stability in heavy swells. They can also be chartered, either directly from owners (in which case some knowledge of Bahasa will come in handy) or via any travel agent, who will of course take their cut. Some prices to aim for are Rp.200,000 from Bangsal to the Gilis or Rp.500,000 for a full day.

By bicycle
Traffic is relatively light throughout the island so travel by bicycle is quite possible, and provides a very different cultural experience to other means of transport. You should bring your own touring bike, as local bikes are of a very basic quality although there is one biking tour operator (Lombok Biking)that has decent bikes and guides.