The Beauty of Dolphins Atractions in the Gulf Kiluan, Lampung

BAY Kiluan in District Kelumbayan, Tanggamus District, Lampung, is a haven for dolphins. Vast ocean that every time a pool dance performances. Or not there is an audience.

The wind is blowing in the blue sea surface, creating small waves of successive waves. Breezy sweep of it as a matter of “one-two-three” for dozens of dolphins that mingle beneath.

As a warning, pretty sea creatures that bubbled up in the air until the whole body naked by every eye that looked at. Then, curved in the air, and his head thrust back into the water. Like the line, the dolphins alternated beratraksi. Thus, within a few minutes, the natural scenery without engineering is presented without stopping.

It took three to four hours drive from Bandar Lampung to reach the Gulf Kiluan charming. Uphill and winding road and unspoiled nature is what we find.

Scenery magnificent’ve seen all the way across the bay. Group of islands and rocks are buffeted by the waves, white sand surrounds the island’s lips, the flying seagulls, and the breezes are soothing to the spirit of re-surged after fatigue in the car.

Stretch of white sand that surrounds almost the entire island into a strong attraction Kiluan Island. Enchantment natural emitted Kiluan make anyone who visited him hoping to return there.

Not far from the island of Kiluan, there’s another one who loves the beach to visit if are in Kiluan. Of State Kiluan Pekon took ten minutes journey by riding a motorcycle to get to the White Sand beach. White Sand Beach has a bigger wave than in the Gulf Kiluan, very suitable for the hobby of diving. On the right side of the beach there is a row of rocks towering rock-breaking waves.

Development

In the area of tourism development masterplan Kiluan Bay, described the Gulf tourist sites located in Kiluan Pekon Kiluan Affairs, Kelumbayan District, District Tanggamus.

The first area is the entrance area and parking area. The second area is the area of trade, which will be stalls selling souvenirs to the work of the local population. The third area is child’s play area consisting of the park, some kids playing area, and outbound arena.

The fourth area is the pier crossing of State to Kiluan Pekon Kiluan Island and the bay where the dolphin population is located. The fifth area, the area lodgings will be built on the shoreline or coastal State Pekon Kiluan which will also be equipped with a restaurant. In this area will also be erected stage to entertain the tourists.

To support this tourism, the local regency has improved roads and bridges that will facilitate access to enter the Gulf region Kiluan. This development provides an opportunity for investors to enter. D-2

‘Surfing’ in Cape Exotic Setia

TANJUNG beach Faithful is located 60 km from Liwa (capital of West Lampung district). This beach is known as wave height and became one of the beach with the highest waves in the world. With waves as high as 5 meters and 200 meters wavelength, do not be surprised if no less than 100 thousand tourists from Australia; Portugal; Netherlands; and Japan always visit this beach every year, mainly July to October to make surfing (surfing).

If your hobby surf, Cape Coast Faithful would be one good choice, especially on the beach are also available surfing camp to make it easier for tourists who want to surf.

In addition to challenging the waves, a view was natural and the air is cool. Waves are dealing with really cute Indian Ocean. Besides surfing, you can also fish for this beach rich fish, begin to blue marlin tuna. Also, as a place to camp. Moreover, there is a representative cottages, even the nature of the building because at one with nature.

For highway facilities, has built roads that have been covered in coral making it easier for tourists who tour the coast in the Pekon Bumiagung, Biha District, about 22 km from the city this Krui.

Batu Putu Nature Tours

Batu Putu has unique advantages compared to other regions in Indonesia such as the view from the tourist area can see the atmosphere of the Gulf coast of Lampung, Bandar Lampung, green crops in the area, and the surrounding green hills.

The atmosphere is cool and the township could be an alternative quiet release fatigue at the weekend.

Located not far from the center of Bandar Lampung. Travel through asphalt road winding through the area like the top but quiet. Along the way, banana trees, mangosteen, and durian lined into a comfortable scene. This area also enjoy more fun time before nightfall. In fact, the night is the right choice for visitors who want to enjoy a beautiful evening at the top of Stone Putu.

Bay of Lampung has its own beauty when viewed from the top of Batu Putu. The twinkling lights and activities fishing boats into the exciting thing to be enjoyed. Green hills of not less interesting to be enjoyed. With a piece of cassava fuel and a cup of coffee, was delicious mingle with the cold night.

Batu Putu area was suitable for the outbound students and students who want to vacation. There is also a zoo, playground / water tours, and the contour of hilly land that soothing.

Read more »

Mount Salak

Mount Salak is a volcano located on the island of Java, Indonesia. This has some mountain peak, of which Peak Salak Salak I and II. Geography of the mountain is at 6 ° 43 ‘LS and 106 ° 44′ BT. Highest peak I Salak Salak 2211 m and 2180 m dpl II. There is one more peak called Peak Sumbul with a height of 1926 m dpl.

Administratively, G. Salak area included in Sukabumi and Bogor Regency, West Java. Management of the forest area is under the Perum Perhutani KPH Bogor, but since 2003 a regional expansion Halimun Mountain National Park, now called National Park Mount Halimun Salak.Gunung-Salak volcano is a strato type A. Since the year 1600 recorded an explosion occurred a few times, including a series of eruption between 1668-1699, 1780, 1902-1903, and 1935. The last eruption occurred in 1938, in the form erupsi freatik that occurred in the crater Cikuluwung Putri.

According to Hartman (1938) G. Salak I was part of the oldest mountains. Followed by G. Salak II, and later appeared G. Sumbul. Meanwhile, Queen of craters estimated from the final product is a G. Salak. Putri Cikuluwung craters and craters Hirup is still a part of the crater can Ratu.Gunung Salak didaki of several climbing routes. Peak of the peak is often didaki II and I. The most crowded routes is through Curug Nangka, on the north side of the mountain. Through this path, people will reach the peak of Salak II.

I usually peak Salak didaki from the east, near the Cimelati Cicurug. Salak I can also be achieved from the Salak II, and with much difficulty, from Sukamantri, Ciapus.

Other path is the ‘back roads’ through Cidahu, Sukabumi, or from a crater near the Queen G. Bunder.

In addition, Mount Salak more popular as a place where education clubs for lovers of nature, especially once the punggungan Salak II. This is because terrain and the forest that the meeting also rare climber who visit this mountain. Also has a path that is quite difficult for the beginner climber because cross path that we rarely find the backup of water in the post unless I upgrade path Ratu crater, lucky in the peak of Mount (2211 Mdpl) found wallow air.Gunung eyes Salak mountain, even if classified as a low, but both have their unique characteristics of forests and forest-medannya.Hutan in Gunung Salak consists of mountainous forest down (submontane forest) and forest on the mountain (montane forest).

The lower part of the forest, the forest is planted production Perum Perhutani. Some types of trees planted here are tusam (Pinus merkusii) and Rasamala (Altingia excelsa). Then, as usually in the bottom of the mountain forest, and there is also the kind of flower trees (Schima wallichii), Saninten (Castanopsis sp.), Post (Lithocarpus sp.) And various types of hurly (tribe Lauraceae).

In this forest, in some locations, especially in the direction Cidahu, Sukabumi, also found a rare plant species raflesia (Rafflesia rochussenii) that limited the spread of Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango nearby.

In the border areas with the forest, or near-near the river, people to plant species kaliandra red (Calliandra calothyrsus), dadap cangkring (Erythrina variegata), african wood (Maesopsis eminii), jeunjing (Paraserianthes falcataria) and various bamboo . Aneka wildlife found in the environment of G. Salak, from the frog and toad, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Results of research D.M. Nasir (2003) from the Department of the Faculty of Forestry IPB ksh, get 11 frog and toad species in the S. Ciapus Leutik, Tamansari Village, Kab. Bogor. Species is Bufo asper, B. melanostictus, Leptobrachium hasseltii, Fejervarya limnocharis, Huia masonii, Limnonectes kuhlii, L. macrodon, L. microdiscus, Rana chalconota, R. erythraea and R. hosii. This result is not yet include the types of tree frogs, and the types of frogs are still other mountains may be found. In Cidahu also recorded the type of horned bangkong (Megophrys montana) and the flying frog (Rhacophorus reinwardtii).

Various species of reptiles, especially snakes and lizard, are located in this mountain. Some of the examples is Bronchocela vacillator jubata and B. cristatella, garden lizard Mabuya multifasciata and rivers biawak Varanus salvator. Types of snakes in G. Salak is not yet much known, but some were recorded from the snake rod (Calamaria sp.) Constrained small, snail snake (Pareas carinatus) to breed python (Python reticulatus) as long as several meters.

G. Salak has been known long before as a bird-rich areas, as noted by Vorderman (1885). Hoogerwerf (1948) have not less than 232 birds in the mountains this (Java total: 494 species, 368 types of settler). Some of the important mountain is bred eagle (Spizaetus bartelsi) and several other types of eagle, forest red-chicken (Gallus gallus), Cuculus micropterus, Phaenicophaeus javanicus and P. curvirostris, Sasia Abnormis, Dicrurus remifer, Cissa thalassina, Crypsirina temia, bird horse Garrulax rufifrons, Hypothymis azurea, Aethopyga eximia and A. mystacalis, and Lophozosterops javanica.

As well as frogs and reptiles, mammals note on G. Salak is not too much. However, in the mountains is clearly found some kind of important, such as spotted tiger (Panthera pardus), owa jawa (Hylobates moloch), lutung surili (Presbytis comata) and anteater (Manis javanica).

ADVENTURE TOUR TO MOUNT SALAK

For a hobby community and love the outdoors, Gunung salak is one of their goals to meet the satisfaction for how to appreciate and love nature. Gunung Salak has scenery and natural charm that is still beautiful. If you want to try an adventure tour with a climb of Gunung salak, you can use some climbing lane, one through Girijaya Line and Line Kutajaya (Cimelati).

Gunung salak since time immemorial been frequently visited by pilgrims, because there is a statue of worship in Gunung salak peak. In addition there are also grave Gunung salak Grandparent frequently visited by the pilgrims. Meanwhile, at the foot of Gunung salak there are many sacred places, one of which is the shrines and temples have also called the Temple Prabu Siliwangi.

The climb should be done in the dry season, because in the rainy season as the path becomes muddy and slippery swamp. Also the wind is often blowing hard. Actually, this mountain can be climbed from several points, including a common path is the path used from Wana Wisata Cidahu Cangkuang Sukabumi District. From Cangkuang have two lanes of the old route to the summit of Gunung salak and 1 new track to the Kawah Ratu. The path is full of sense of mystique to the point of pilgrimage tourism Curug Pilung Wana, Giri Jaya village, District Cidahu, Village Kutajaya / Cimelati.

Around the entrance have Wana Wisata places convenient for camping, there are also many food stalls. To go to Kawah Ratu takes about 3-5 hours, whereas to get to the top of Gunung salak I takes about 8 hours.

From the campsite to the shelter I, the path is steep initially, in the form of rocks neatly arranged. Then going into the area of dense tropical forest with trees large, about 1 / 2 hours later you will pass a variety of channels, flat, up and down.

Toward shelter II, lines begin to damp and wet. Several small river you will pass, but when the dry season this river will be dry. You would follow the path that many grown banana trees, but do not expect to find ripe bananas for this area inhabited many a monkey. When the day late in the afternoon we will see the monkeys hanging on their nest around this point.

In the shelter II have a place large enough to set up a tent, with views of tropical forests are still thick, and near shelter II was also present river. Toward shelter III, you will pass the roads were muddy and the mud. Even in some places, the path of the steep slippery ground, but you’re still a little relieved of tree roots.

For the IV route to shelter the more steeply, especially in the rainy season because of slippery red soil. In some places you will go through muddy places that sometimes reached knee foot depth. You will pass two pieces of clear river water, we recommend you take clean water in the river because that is where the last water source could be found.

Shelter IV is a crossroads. To go to Kawah Ratu take the road to the left, while to get to the top of Gunung salak to take the right path. In the shelter IV is large enough you can also set up a tent.

How, not exciting enough? You never make a hobby of adventure tourism, it would not hurt if you try to climb Gunung salak, in addition to satisfying the heart, you also can feel the beauty of nature is priceless.

Read more »

Cikurai

Cikuray identical with a giant cone is one of the mountain located in the southern city of Garut in West Java. Mount is included in this group of young mountain categorized as non-active. Although the mountain is beautiful, but rarely touched, including climb and had to admit the popularity and other mountains like Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango Ciremay. To reach the location of climbing, climbers can start from CILAWU, in addition to Manggung Dayeuh plantation, before starting to climb this mountain. From the climbers can find a tower high enough (TVRI) which later can be a way (guidelines) on the way to the summit. to achieve high peak Reached 2.821 meters above sea level, needs time for 7 to 12 hours for normal time and at a time Climber Certain of rest should be advised to maintain the condition and energy. Since the ascent route which still includes rarely touched by people, then we will be from natural forests and beautiful, but it should be remembered by every Climber Whereas during the journey to the top we’ll Find Some of the branching roads, because the instructions to the mountaintop is not clear and Mount Gede who has Using the arrow keys to Achieve the peak, the gang leader must always be extra careful in the bull’s path Ascent Climber for not a little misleading because in determining the correct path will be passed in the Ascent.

As the characteristics of the mountains which form has in this way, the flow of water will be found difficult or even not at all the way to the top of the mountain, and springs in the mountains is only found under (or Dayeuh CILAWU Manggung). Therefore, the climbers must carry adequate water supplies.

To reach the high mountain peaks reaching 2821 meters above sea level, needs time for 7 to 12 hours for normal time and at a certain time should be encouraged climbers to rest to preserve the condition and energy. Because the climbing route which is still included rarely touched by people, then we will be from natural forests and beautiful, but it should be remembered by every climber in that long journey to the summit we will find some of the branching roads, because the instructions to the mountaintop is not clear and Mount Gede who has use the arrows to reach the peak, the gang leader must always be extra careful in taking the path that climbers do not climb a little misleading because in determining the correct path will be passed in the ascent.

Forest is there in the mountains this is one of the forest which is perfect, because in some parts of the valley slope or almost never dijamah by humans, as evidenced when the author was trying to open a new path, the author does not find ex-ex-exploitation of human beings, and even search kayupun never reach the location.

It was evident from the absence of any trace in the form of a discount department paths, both the top and down the peak. And the situation is different with most of the mountain in Central Java. Mountains in Central Java than Mount Slamet (3428 M) has experienced large-scale exploitation of the forest so as buffer areas around water sources and clean for people to be disturbed even in some places almost found the water flow.

Each climber will feel happy after reaching the peak, as in climbing to the top of Mount Cikurai this. Climber satisfied after reaching the peak. Especially cikurai peak, climber will be the scene are probably different from the top of the mountain scenery on the other, because if we stand at the top of the mountain is more or less the extent of “football field”, the view is very clear we will see the surrounding mountains, as there is no any trees or buildings that obstruct our view. Therefore, the climber should culminate in the early days when the sunrise, the landscape probably will never be forgotten.

After climbing the peak is complete, the climber is given the option to decline path. Climber can descend down to the Cikajang or skip lines when the climber early start climbing.

To achieve Cikuray can be increased with the vehicle from the public or from Tasikmalaya Bandung toward terminal Guntur. From the city terminal, we can ride the city transportation department number 06 Garut – Cilawu and down in the portal nusantara tea plantation (PTPN) VIII or Dayeuh Manggung. From here, proceed with the journey on foot around 10 km to the station several television stations as a starting point climb. If you want fast, we can rent motorcycles at Rp.30 ribu per person.
Or 2 can use another path climbing commonplace use (Cikajang & Bayongbong). The three lines offer a very interesting field with characteristics of each. Channel bayongbong path is the most precipitous, but it can quickly reach the peak.

Read more »

The Interest in Alor mainland NTT Indonesia

Pantai Mali (Alor)

Mali coast in the village district kabola bay pearls with a range of 10 KM from the town of Kalabahi. Pantaiini provides calm water with white sand and the natural park and beautiful sea bushy palm trees that bear fruit requirement.

From the beach can be found island Sika is very beautiful and there is an old cemetery and sacred. This object can be reached by public transport with moderate intensity, probadi motorcycle taxi or rental car.

From coast mali about 3 km can be seen a forest landscape where the audience nostalgic given plant saplings to be planted around the site by putting his name on the tree. In this forest there is also a cool spring under the walnut tree grove and a beautiful sandalwood.

Taman Laut Pantar

The beauty and uniqueness of nature under the sea is amazing Pantar Strait. Even when compared with the Komodo Marine Park in NTT, Berau in East Kalimantan, Bunaken in North Sulawesi and Raja Ampat in Papua, Pantar Strait still best, even during the time for diving, Komodo marine park, Bunaken, Berau, and Raja Ampat more popular, but in the eyes of the world-class diver Strait Pantar marine park located in Alor district, East Nusa Tenggara Province, is more superior because beauty is amazing. It is said that after the park’s most beautiful Caribbean sea. Many foreign tourists who never been to Alor in awe. Because, in addition to being pampered beauty of the sea garden, they also discovered the phenomenon of marine parks is rare and very interesting. So, naturally Alor maritime tourism with panoramic sea bottom in the Strait Pantar spefisik became a prima donna and decoy for the world-class divers from the United States, Australia, Austria, England, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, and some countries in Asia .

Read more »

Lombok, province of Nusa Tenggara Barat

Lombok Island is one of beautiful place in Indonesia. It is Bali’s neighboring Island on the east. Lombok’s panorama is as beautiful as Bali island. Many people say that Lombok is Bali in the 60’s. What you can find in Bali also can be found in this island with different atmosphere.

Mount Rinjani, the highest mountain in this island (3,736 m), is visible from Bali island. From the top you can see all of Lombok, Bali and Sumba Islands. Senggigi beach offers you a virgin beach with great waves for suffers while Gili isles are well known for their “underwater colorful world”, and is one of the best snorkeling places on this island.

Access to Lombok from Bali has become easier and faster in recent years. You can enjoy a sightseeing adventure by sea when you choose to visit Lombok by high-speed ferry. Or you can catch a 20 minutes flight from Ngurah Rai airport to Selaparang Airport.

•Lombok location:
Lombok lies directly east of Bali across the Lombok Strait. The island is roughly the same size as Bali, but rather than having a line of large volcanoes, Lombok has one massive volcano named Gunung Rinjani, which dominates the skyline.

•Lombok overview:
Lombok offers an interesting alternative, to fast developing, and often ‘in your face’ Bali. Indonesia has 27 provinces (propinsi) Bali being one, Lombok and Sumbawa forming the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat. Each province has a governor. The closest point of Lombok is 35 kms from Bali, however the ferry ride from Padangbai takes about 4 hours 30 minutes to get to the port of Lember on the west coast of Lombok. The island itself is 80kms by 70 kms and is a bit smaller than Bali with a population of 2.3 million.

•Sasak people:
The native Sasak people are Muslim, and there is also a strong Balinese community on the west coast. Years ago Lombok was under Balinese control, and now both islands are part of Indonesia, so you don’t need to take your passport.

Sasak language:
In Lombok people speak Bahasa Indonesia like the Balinese and also have their own Sasak language. The Sasak language is spoken by the Sasak ethnic group, which make up the majority of the population. It is closely related to the languages of Bali and Sumbawa.

Wetu Telu: A very different brand of Islam in Lombok:
Lombok has a branch of the Muslim religion called Wetu Telu, which is a major divergence from all other forms. The Wetu Telu still strongly believe in ancestor worship and the old animist beliefs are still recognized.

•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.

•Getting to Lombok / 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. Ferries run every 90 minutes 24/7 and the journey takes anywhere from 4-7 hours depending on port congestion and weather. From Lember you drive to the port of Bangsal in NW Lombok. This will take you about 2 hours. At Bangsal you can catch a small local ferry to the Gili’s, journey time, up to 45 minutes for the furthest island, Gili Trawangan, less for the other 2.

The second way is to fly from Bali to the airport in Mataram. The flight takes 30 minutes . From there you catch an airport taxi to Bangsal, and take a ferry. Airlines that service Lombok from Bali include, Merpati (6 flights a day), Wings Air, GT Air.

The third way is to take a high-speed charter boat from Benoa harbor. This way is the fastest overall, if you left at the same time as the others, but you have a bumpy ride across the Lombok Strait.

•Getting Around Lombok:
Perama bus serve Bali and Lombok. Here are the Perama bus times in Lombok.

Boats in Lombok & the Gili Islands:
Here is a quick glance at boat transport in Lombok & the Gili Islands.

•Senggigi:
Visitors to Bali, as well as expats sometimes look for an close alternative, to the Bali beach scene. One option is Senggigi Lombok. Senggigi is the most developed part of Lombok, as far as tourism is concerned. You can find budget, mid-range and luxury accommodation, get online, have a selection of nightlife activities, visit sweeping bays with no people, hike in the forest and get some R&R. Senggigi is a great place to use as a home base for exploring Lombok.

•Accommodation in Senggigi:
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. Central Senggigi has many budget options while north Senggigi has a better choice of luxury accommodation.

•North Lombok: Senggigi to Kokok Putih
The best way to explore the north coast of Lombok is with your own transport, whether that be a car or motorbike. There are local buses that serve the area also. It is possible to catch a bus from Sweta up to Anyar on the central north coast. Coming from the other direction a bus runs from Labuhan Lombok to Bayan. One of the favourite areas on the north coast is the Sembalun valley, which can be accessed via a bus from Kokok Putih and Pringgabaya.

•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. The 74km long east-west highway from Ampenan to Labuhan Lombok is the busiest road on the island, trafficked by cars, motorbikes, bemo buses and cidomos (horse drawn carriages). Road conditions are good and a speed of 50km/h can be maintained, allowing one to cross Central Lombok in a couple of hours, allowing for breaks. Major towns along and close to the main road include Sweta, Lingsar, Narmada, Suranadi, Mantang, Kopang, Pomotong, Masbagik, Rempung, Aik Mel and Pringgabaya. There is also a parallel east-west road that runs from Mataram and Sweta, to Cakranegara, Praya, Ganti, Tangun and Tanjung Luar.

•Central Lombok: Kotaraja to Sapit
Kotaraja in Central Lombok, is located 5kms south of the mountain village of Tetebatu. Centuries ago the Langko kingdom fell to invaders from Bali and the royal family took up residence here, hence the name ‘City of Kings.’

•Gunung Rinjani:
Lombok has one huge volcano, Gunung Rinjani (3726m), which is even taller than Bali’s Gunung Agung. Surrounded by forest, but itself consisting of bare trails and summits, Gunung Rinjani is a popular place to hike. At the top of the mountain sits Segara Anak, the mountain lake 8kms long. The slopes from the mountain cover 65kms across the north of Lombok and make a great place for some peace and quiet. Trekking to the summit of Rinjani is a 3-day trip and can be done with the aid of a local guide, or with a tour group. It is the most challenging hike in Bali an Lombok. There are 2 main access points which are Senaru to the north, or Sembalun Lawang to the east.
Hiking Rinjani

•Tetebatu Lombok and surrounding areas:
Tetebatu is located on the south slope of Gunung Rinjani, 11km north of the main road that runs east-west across the center of the island. Tetebatu’s elevation is 400m, about half that of Sanda / Pupuan. Views are wonderful and Tetebatu’s local scene very peaceful with rice and tobacco being farmed. Temperatures are cool and cloud will often cover the sky providing relief from the intense tropical sun.

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. Here is a description of the accommodation options.

•Maps of Lombok:
Lombok Map
Tetebatu Map
Kuta Lombok Map
Greater Senggigi
Senggigi Map

•South coast of Lombok:
Longterm Bali visitors, tell me stories of Poppies Lane being a sand track, and Legian being the outer reach of westernization, warungs serving only Indonesian food, and the barest of western dishes. Those days are long gone, but a trip to the south coast of Lombok, will put you right back in that era.

•Kuta Lombok:
Accommodation in Kuta Lombok:
Most of the accommodation in Kuta Lombok is budget style, simple places lined up on the beach road. There are however mid-range and luxury places, which will no doubt increase. The great thing about the cheap places in Kuta Lombok is even with a cold water shower, it feels luxurious after the salt water showers of the Gili Islands.

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. Complete with quiet bays, white sand beaches, a tranquil village style and half a dozen small islands, SW Lombok can be the break you’re looking for.

•Tembowong, Bangko Bangko & Pandana: SW Lombok:
Bangko Bangko is the location of the famous Desert Point surf break in SW Lombok. Surfers and other visitors arriving from Bali and intending to get to Bangko Bangko, can find accommodation at the village of Tembowong, which is 11km west of Taun.

•East Lombok
East Lombok is probably the least popular part of the island as far as tourists are concerned. Stories circulate about unfriendly locals are in this part of Lombok, although in reality they can be very friendly once contact has been made. The Sasak Muslim culture of Lombok means people are generally more reserved than in Bali, which could be misinterpreted as unfriendly.

•Gili Islands:
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. The Gili islands have peace a and quiet, no cars, white sand beaches, snorkeling, diving and some good hotels.

•Gili Trawangan
The Gili’s are part of Lombok and the population is Muslim. I spoke to many people who were from the mainland or a different island. People seem quiet and respectful and are used to westerners in bathing suits. Donovan told me about one Italian lady who was strolling down main street topless and said that she was getting more than a few glance from the local guys. If you need more privacy it’s not hard, you simply move around the coast a little way and another nice thing is that the locals will leave you alone.

Gili Trawangan is the largest and busiest of the Gili Islands. Gili Trawangan has good hotels, pools and an Irish pub, Gili Air has a selection of guest-houses and Gili Meno has not much going on. I know people think of going to a tropical island would be paradise but if the food isn’t good and you can’t get a cold drink how long are you going to stay there?

Gili Trawangan has the reputation as the ‘party island’ but my impression was that most of the island is undeveloped, even for farming and the strip of wall to wall bars and restaurants was originally set up for scuba divers, not the low budget beer swilling crowd.

Apart from small patches of road paved with bricks the whole perimeter of Gili Trawangan is a sandy track. You might feel like you are walking in the desert and should bring water along. To walk around Gili Trawangan takes about 2 hours. At the southern end of the island is a hill fairly close to the beach. This is the highest point of the island. Tourists like to head down there for the sunset.

Accommodation on Gili Trawangan:
Looking at a map of Gili Trawangan, you will see that most of the accommodation is located on the south eastern side of the island. This is also the location of most everything else, such as bars and restaurants. For people with money, the best place to stay is probably Vila Almarik on the NE side. A good budget option is Pondok Lita, just inland from the Beer Shack on the SE coast. Being close to the ‘action’ in Gili Trawangan, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as its not an ‘all night rocking party’.

•Gili Meno:
Located in the middle of the 3 Gili Islands, Gili Meno is the quietest island with the least infrastructure.

Accommodation on Gili Meno:
Gili Meno has a good selection of accommodation options ranging from guest houses to modern boutique hotels. As with Gili Trawangan, most of the accommodation is located on the southern and eastern coast, with scattered places further north.
Gili Meno

•Gili Air:
Gili Air is the second largest island of the 3 Gili Islands. It is also the second busiest.

Accommodation on Gili Air:
A map of Gili Air shows that most of the accommodation is on the west and south coasts. There is also a mosque on the south coast, which may be one of the reasons the local population, of 1,000 Muslims, keep a tight lid on the partying activities. Late night action is limited to 3 nights a week. Although quieter than Gili Trawangan, Gili Air still has a good choice of accommodation.
Gili Air

•Diving in the Gili Islands overview:
There are dive operators on all 3 Gili Islands, and there is a developed industry there, with well known dive spots and plenty of supporting infrastructure as far as transport, hotels and food places. The Gili Islands are surrounded by reef and located on the northern side of Lombok, are sheltered from big swells. The depth is around 25 meters, with visibility around 15 meters, water temperature warm.

•Learning to dive in Gili Trawangan Lombok
Gili Trawangan offers a good place to get a taste of diving in Indonesia, before moving onto more challenging sites. Learning to dive in something that many tourists have on their agenda. 4 day course will get you your Open Water certificate.



back to top page

Read more »