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The Wallace
Line, named after 19 th century naturalist,
Alferd Russel Wallace, marks a point of transition between the flora
and fauna of western and eastern Indonesia and acts as
the western boundary of West Nusa Tenggara, which includes
the islands of Lombok and Sumbawa.
LOMBOK : BRIEF HISTORY
Lombok is noticeably different
than its close neighbour, Bali. The northern part of the island is mountainous
and lush with tall tress and shrubs. The south, on the other hand is
arid and covered by savannas. Large Asian mammals are absent and
replaced instead by marsupials, lizards, cockatoos and parrots. The
difference becomes more pronounced as one moves further east, where
dry seasons are more prolonged and corn and sago are the staple food,
instead of rice.
At around the time Islam first came to these islands in the 16 th century,
four Hindu Kingdoms co-existed in apparent peace in what is now West
Nusa Tenggara. Lombok experienced strong Balinese influences, but has
retained a unique identity. The indigenous people of Lombok, the Sasaks,
are predominantly Moslem and have a strong, distinguished tradition,
as do the people of neighbouring Sumbawa.
Soft, white sand, virgin beaches are typical in Lombok, where the motto
is 'You can see Bali from Lombok, but not Lombok from Bali'. Famous
for its ikat hand-woven textiles, the islands has exceptional charm
and is relatively undiscovered, except for the town of Sengigi, which
is becoming a major resort area.
Regular shuttle flights from Bali and Sumbawa as well as ferries, provide
excellent transportation link between the island of the province as
well as the rest of the country.
LOMBOK : PLACES OF INTEREST
Mataram
dan Cakranegara
Mataram dan Cakranegara is the capital of the province, which
has in the past decades joined with Ampenan, the port, and Cakranegara
to become the province's biggest urban complex. At th beginning of the
18th century, Mataram was the residence of the crown prince of Karang
Asem, a kingdom in southern Bali. The ruler had his seat in Cakranegara.
The royal palace no longer exists, but many of the old temples and pleasure
gardens are still there.
Narmada
Taman Narmada, 11 kilometers east of Mataram, was built in 1727 by King
Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem as both a pleasure garden and place
to worship Shiva. Its big pool is said to represent Segara Anakan, the
crater lake on the vulacano Rinjani, where they used to make offerings
by throwing valuables into the water. As the king became too old to
make the pilgrimage up the 3,726 meter high mountain, he had Narmada
constructed to represent the mountain and the lake. Near the pond is
a place of worship and a spring whose water is believed to give dedicated
pilgrims eternal youth.
Pura
Lingsar
This may be the only Hindu shrine in the world where both
Hindus and Moslems come o worship. About 7 kilometers west Narmada,
it was built in 1714 and rebuild in 1878 to symbolize harmony in unity
between Hindu Balinese and Moslem Sasak population of the area, especially
those who adhere to Lombok's unique Wektu Telu school of Islam. The
Balinese temple is built on higher ground, behind the Moslem section
of the compound. In the lower yard is a spring near which pilgrims stage
a mock battle between Hindus and Moslems, hurling rice cakes at each
other.
Pura
Agung Gunung Sari
This great temple on a hill at Gunung Sari, about four kilometers
from Mataram, was the site of the infamous Puputan battle, fought on
November 22, 1894, between Lombok's last Balinese ruler, Anak Agung
Nengah and followers, and the Dutch troops under General Van der Vetter's
command.
Sengkol,
Pujut and Rambitan
Time seems to have frozen in these three villages in southern
Lombok on the road from the capital to Kuta Beach. All the houses and
barn are built in the age-old traditional style, and life continues
daily here as it has for centuries.
Sukarare
This is a village of traditional weavers south of Cakranegara,
Lombok known for its brightly patterned songket cloth. The techniques,
patterns and motifs have been handed down through the generations.
Batu
Bolong Beach
Located 9 kilometers from downtown Mataram, this beach has
a huge rock with a hole in it. A hindu temple lies on top overlooking
the Lombok Strait to majestic Mount Agung Bali. After sunbathing, relaxing
and flocking on this beautiful beach front, stay till the end of the
day to watch one of the most stunning sunsets you have ever seen when
the sun slowly begins to disappear behind Mount Agung.
 Taman
Mayura
The Taman Mayura Park as all that remains of the Karang Asem
kingdom of Bali, whose king Anak Agung Ngurah, built it in 1744. In
the middle of a large pond is a structure called Balai Kambang, which
once functioned as a legal court of justice and a hall for important
meetings. Curiously, its architecture shows both Hindu and Islamic influences,
adorned with stone statue in the form of a Moslem hajji.
Pura
Meru
Another relic of the Karang Asem kingdom is the Meru temple
at Cakranegara, close to Mataram. The temple was built in 1790 as a
symbol of Hindu unity on Lombok island. Several engaging structures
are found in this complex.
Kuta
Beach
Also known as Putri Nyale Beach, Kuta, on the south coast of
central Lombok, is one of the most scenic and unspoiled beaches in this
part of Indonesia. From Kuta to Tanjung Aan, 5 kilometers away, stretches
an unbroken expanse of clean white sand lapped by waves of the Indian
Ocean. Kuta is safe for bathing and swimming. Further to the west are
surfer's and windsurfer's beaches. Each year, on 19th day of the tenth
month of Sasak lunar calendar, Kuta Beach is the site of great festivities.
Fisherman sail out to sea while young men and women gather along the
beach to join in the merrymaking, tease each other and perhaps meet
to build a more lasting relationship.
Gili
Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan
Gili, in Sasak means 'island'. These three are clustered together
just off the northwest coast of Lombok. Coral gardens abound in clear
waters around the islands. Gili Air, the nearest island, can be reached
in 10 to 15 minutes by outrigger boat from Bangsal harbor, near Pamenang.
Sengigi
Beach
Sengigi, north of Bangsal, is one of the most scenic and popular
beaches on the island of Lombok. Excellent snorkeling and good accommodation
facilities.
Mount
Rinjani
Mount Rinjani, a 3,726 meter active volcano is one of the tallest
mountains of Indonesia. In the basin of the volcano's huge caldera lies
the sikleshapped crater lake, Segara Anakan, surrounded by steep walls.
The mountain is popular with hikers. Sembalun Bumbung and Sembalun Lawang
are to traditional Sasak villages on the slopes of Rinjani.
LOMBOK : TOUR PLANNER
FOR SIGHTSEEING
Don't know where to go
in Lombok, don't worry.. we give you a chance to enjoy the land intimately...
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