The Little Lombok
Get the most out of this much-less-traveled cousin of Bali
The Sasak population in Lombok are culturally and linguistically closely related to the Balinese; but unlike the Hindu Balinese, the majority are Muslim. This cousin of Bali is also known as ‘Land of A Thousand Mosques’ because the island is punctuated with mosques and minarets in all hues and colours.
The northern region of Lombok is the perfect base for adventuring to Tiu Kelep waterfall or hiking Mount Rinjani. The southern region is where people go to chill, enjoy the surf and the beautiful beaches. Lombok is much less traveled predominantly because of its underdeveloped tourist infrastructure compared to Bali and the Gilis, so you can expect smaller crowds here. This best-kept secret island quietly boasts ineffable natural beauty, with a long stretch of beguiling sandy beaches, countless waterfalls and Indonesia’s most dangerous volcano hike, Mount Rinjani. Here are a few places to explore in Lombok:
What to do in South Lombok
Kuta Lombok
This is the most popular destination on the island of Lombok. It’s full of hip cafes, modern accommodation and is the hub for surfing and beach adventures.
Bukit Merese
Located 15-minute drive away from Kuta Lombok, this is apparently the best sunset viewpoint. However, we decided to explore it during the day and we had the whole place to ourselves. If you just want to reach the first viewpoint it is only about a 5–10 min walk up the hill. If you decide to head all the way to the furthest headland it may take you a bit more than 20 minutes.
We explored the rolling grass hills and the coves as if it were in the middle of nowhere. Keep walking all the way to the headland and sit on the edge with views down the coast in both directions.
Selong Belanak Beach
This beautiful white sand beach is ideal for beginner surfers in Lombok. It is located only 30-minute drive west of Kuta in the South of Lombok, or 2 hours away from Mataram, the city centre of Lombok.
Legend says you’ll be cursed if you step foot on that little islet you see in the distance. While we were exploring the beach, we found a fancy open-air cafe as well as an open-air yoga studio behind the beach. The highlight was sipping the special Lombok coconuts. I can honestly say that they grow the sweetest crop of coconuts here on this island. Did you know that as of 2013, Indonesia is the biggest coconut producer in the world? Apparently, Lombok here is one of the biggest coconut-producing regions in the country.
Selong Selo
Perched on top of green hills, overlooking the azure sea beyond Selong Belanak beach is Selong Selo, a private luxury villa for sale and rent. The outdoor dining provides stunning views of the rice fields and the aquamarine bay beyond. We decided to see the sunset here instead of Bukit Merese, and I can’t say we made a wrong decision.
Tanjung Aan
Located close to Bukit Merese, Tanjung Aan beach is much more pristine than Selong Belanak with cleaner sands and clearer water.
Now Let’s Head to North Lombok
Bukit Monjet
Located in Sembalun, 2-hour drive north from Mataram, this hill provides a majestic vista of the carpet-like farming field below. As it sits at the foot of Mount Rinjani, Sembalun is known for its fertile land where multiple crops like garlic, cabbage, strawberries are grown.
You can start your hike by parking in the village called Dusun Lauq Rurung Timuq Desa Sembalun Bumbung. Bukit Monjet can be reached via Rinjani trail — Sembalun post. It takes around 20 minutes from the entrance to the top of the hill. There is a small fee of 5000 IDR per person + parking fee.
Villa Hantu (lit: Ghost Villa)
Located 30mins away from Senggigi beach, this abandoned construction site of a luxury house, sits majestically on a cliff in the western side of Lombok island. You can easily spot it at a turning corner of the highway. This is the perfect spot for dating and photography with the balcony providing a vista of the Lombok Strait with Bali’s Mount Agung in the distance. The concrete bone of this uninhabited building sits silently on the cliff, a contrast to the colourful graffiti plastered all over the interior walls.
Lombok Waterfalls
Overshadowed by Mount Rinjani and the beaches in the southern side of the island, many are not aware of the bountiful waterfalls this island possesses. We had a friend who took us to this water plant, where we parked before commencing our trek deep into the greens, only to discover 3 distinctly different, yet indescribably beautiful waterfalls. I’m not quite sure of the location or whether these waterfalls even had names so I’d recommend seeing the better-known waterfalls such as Tiu Kelep and Sendang Gile, or hiring a guide to discover other Lombok waterfalls.
Wallace Line
The distance between Bali and Lombok is only about 35 kilometres, but a faunal boundary line called the Wallace Line runs through the Lombok Strait, separating the ecozone between Bali and Lombok. To the west of the line (Bali, Java, Kalimantan, Sumatra and the rest of western Indonesia) lies the Asian ecozone where Asiatic species such as the Sumatran tigers, orangutan, and one-horned rhino live. To the east of the line (Lombok along with all the Gilis belonging to the Nusa Tenggara Barat province, West Papua, and the rest of eastern Indonesia), lies the Wallacea ecozone where a mixture of species of Asian and Australian origin is present.
I was profoundly fortunate to have Jess with me from Gili Air all the way to Lombok. Her Lombok local relatives are just the warmest and most welcoming people. Special thanks to Eryan and Vanni for being the perfect Lombok guide, without whom I couldn’t have explored this island. I doubt I would have enjoyed this island as much as I did without their care.
Of course we would not have survived without Jess’ auntie’s generous lunch packs. She even made sure we brought an insurmountable amount of snacks, which we initially refused but were very grateful to have later on during the day. Listen to the elders when they say you are not eating enough!
A piece of my heart will always be in Lombok. Jess’ big family is made up by truly, some of the most genuine and hospitable people. This little island has inspired me to see more of my own country.
This post is part of the See Indonesia series.1. The Island Paradise of Gili Air
With beautiful sand beaches and island lifestyle, the Gilis are just a heaven of idyllic paradise
2. Baduy, the Last Children of the Earth
The Indonesian tribe who lives devoid of technology with no contact to the outside world
3. How to Legalise Document in Indonesia
Step-by-step guide on legalising document in IndonesiaI hope they will help you see this country's ineffable beauty and culture beyond imagination.
