All About Lombok Island

 

Lombok Island

Getting There & Around

Overland travel is arduous in mountainous Nusa Tenggara, particularly in Flores. Lombok, Sumbawa and Timor have fairly decent surfaced main roads and relatively comfortable bus services.

Get off the highways and things slow down considerably, however. Ferry services are frequent and consistent in the dry season, but in the wet season, when the seas get rough, your ship may be cancelled for days, weeks even.

Fortunately, several airlines now cover the main inter-island routes, as few travellers who have endured the punishing long haul across Nusa Tenggara by surface transport are up for a repeat.

Don't be scared off, however, as an influx of fast boats and air cnnections have made Nusa Tenggara more accessible than ever. In addition to increased international flight to Lombok's new Airport, Including regular flights to and from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Australia, domestic links to Maumere, Bajawa, Ende and Labuanbajo in Flores, and Tambolaka in Sumba, have multiplied to augment the typical sound links throughout Indonesia to/from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara's main hub.

Lombok

Long overshadowed by its superstar neighbour, there's a steady hum about Lombok that's beginning to turn into a distinct buzz.Blessed with exquisite white-sand beaches, the gorgeous Gili island, epic surf, a lush forested interior, and hiking trails through tobacco, rice fields and jungle, Lombok is fully loaded with tropical allure.

You'll probably notice mighty Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia's second-highest volcano, its summit complete with hot springs and a dazzling crater lake.  For years this island has been touted as Indonesia's next hot destination.

Finally the reality seems to have caought up with the hype and with a new international airport and renewed interest from around the globe, Lombok's time is now.

Getting There & Away

AIR

Lombok's new airport, near praya, opened in 2011, rendering Mataram even more meaningless to most international travellers. However, major airlines retain ticket offices in Mataram and there are two excellent travel agencies there too, making it a wise place to arrange domestic travel.

Airasia (www.airasia.com) Three flights weekly to Kuala Lumpur.

Citramulia Travel (phone : 0370-633469; www.citramuliatravel.com), Address Jl. Pejanggik 198, Mataram open 8am - 8 pm Monday to Saturday, to 7 pm Sunday. Conscientious English-speaking staff handle domestic and international flights and offer visa services.


Garuda (phone : 08041807807; www.garuda-indonesia.com), Address Jl Pejanggik 42, Mataram. Three daily flights to Jakarta, one daily flight to Bali.

Jatatur (phone : 0370-632888; www.jatatursurabaya.com), Address: Mataram Mall Jl. Panca Usaha 11. Dependable, long running travel chain that offers fair pricing on airline tickets and english speaking service.

Silk AIr (phone : 0370-628254; www.silkair.com), Address Hotel Lombok Raya, Jl. Panca Usaha 11, Mataram. Serves Singapore direct five times weekly.

WIngs Air (phone : 0370-629333; www.lionair.co.id), Address Hotel Sahid, Jl. Sriwijaya, Mataram. Daily flight to Denpasar, Jakarta and Surabaya.

BOAT

Public feriies connect Lombok's west coast with Bali and its east coast with Sumbawa. Numerous fast boat companies link Lombok and the Gili Islands with all of Bali's major ports.

PUBLIC BUS

Mandalika Terminal in Mataram is the departure point for major cities in SUmbawa, Bali and Java, via inter-island feriies. For long-distance services, book tickets a day or two ahead at the terminal, or from a travel agency along Jl. Pejanggik or Jl. Selaparang in Mataram.

If tou get to the terminal before 8am, there may indeed be a spare seat on a bus going in your direction, but don't count on it, especially during holidays.

TOURIST SHUTTLE BUS/BOAT

The Bali based company Perama (www.peramatour.com) has tourist shuttle bus/boat service between the main tourist centres in Lombok (Senggigi, GIli Island and Kuta) and most tourist centres in Balu (Ubud, Sanur and the Kuta region). Tickets can be booked directly or at any travel agency in Lombok or Bali.

Getting Around

There is a good road across the middle of the island, between Mataram and Labuhan Lombok. Through narrw, the Mataram-Praya-Kuta and Mataram-Senggigi-Anyar routes are also decent sealed roads.

Public transport is generally restrcted to the main routes; away from these, you need to hire a car r motorbike, or charter a bemo, cidomo (horse-drawn cart) or ojek (motorcycle taxi). During the wet season, remote roads are often flooded or washed away, particularly around the foothills of Gunung RInjani.

BUS & BEMO

CAR & MOTORCYCLE

Lombok Motorbike Rental (phone : +6287765448040; www.lombokmotorbike.com), Address Jl. Beo Cakranegara, Mataram open 8am - 9 pm Monday to Saturday, to 7 pm Sunday.You can pick up and drop off at Mataram, Senggigi or Airport Lombok.

Indonesian law dictates that you should carry an International Driving License if you plan on operating a motor vehicle. Your rental agency won't request it, but police may ask for one at check points, and will issued a fine (to be paid immediately) if you don't have one.

Check your insurance arrengements carefully. Some agencies do not offer any coverage at all, and others offer only basic coverage. Even insured Balinese vehicles are often not covered in Lombok. It is best to proceed to Lombok and arrenge a rental in Senggigi.


Source : Book Lonely Planet.