Lombok: Sister island of Bali

Lombok is an island in West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia (Nusa Tenggara means south east island in English). The province’s capital, Mataram, is located in this island. Lombok is located on the east of Bali Island and only separated by a strait. Considering its near location to Bali, the main destination of tourists in Indonesia, and Lombok also has many exotic places as Bali, many people consider Lombok as alternative to Bali. Lombok is less westernized and less crowded than Bali too, a good thing for some people to retreat.

Because of growing potential of tourism, Lombok now has Selaparang International Airport near its capital, Mataram. Selaparang International Airport serves domestic and international flight, even if the main flight is dominated by domestic flight, especially to Denpasar, Bali. Most of tourists usually visit Bali first, and later visit Lombok via air from Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar to Selaparang Airport in Mataram. Tourists who have visited many places in Bali can make extended visit to Lombok. But less advertisement makes Lombok has not been as popular as Bali yet; furthermore, many infrastructures in Lombok are still in development. Local government is concerning with this problem, so developments in many potential areas are growing especially after Indonesia recovered from Asian Financial crisis in 1997. Hopefully, recent world economic crisis doesn’t affect badly to those developments even if tourism industry seems to be slowing today due to situation of world economic.

Compared to Bali, main inhabitants of Lombok is Sasak people with majority of them are Muslims. According to Statistic Bureau of Indonesia, 80% of inhabitants are Sasak people with majority of them are Muslims, 15% are Balinese Hindus, and the remaining are Javanese, Chinese, and Arabs. Main language is Sasak language, but Balinese in Lombok use Bali language. Islam as main religion affects many local cultures, compared to Bali whose cultures are affected by Hinduism.

These are many tourist attractions in Lombok such as Senggigi Beach, located in west cost of Lombok. Even if it is smaller, Senggigi is similar to Kuta Beach Bali. Senggigi has natural reef and many tourists go there to do snorkeling activities. Also Gili Meno, one of three Gili islands (the others are Gili Gili Trawangan dan Gili Air). Gili Meno is the place of endangered birds’ sanctuary. There is a unique thing in Gili Meno, i.e. local people intentionally limit motorized vehicle and electricity. In Gili Trawangan, compared to Gili Meno this Gili has more party air. Tourists usually go to Gili Trawangan for scuba diving or snorkeling.

There is one volcano in Lombok, Mt. Rinjani. Mt. Rinjani is a part of Mount Rinjani National Park. It is the second highest active volcano in Indonesia. Nearby, there is Hutan Monyet Pusuk, literally that name means Monkey Forest of Pusuk, located in Rinjani Forest. This forest is the place of Sendanggile Waterfall, a gate to climb Mt. Rinjani.

There are many other tourist attractions other than above. Local guides or travel bureaus in Bali are able to offer information about Lombok. Some people feel that less developed location can bring more enjoyments. Lombok does have places that will satisfy them.