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LOMBOK AND WEST NUSA TENGGARA

The earliest recorded society on Lombok was relatively small kingdom of the Sasaks. The Sasak peoples were agriculturalists and animists who practised ancestor and spirit worship. The original Sasaks are believed to have come overland from north-west India or Myanmar (Burma) in waves of migration that predated most Indonesian ethnic group.

Few relic remain from the old animist kingdoms, and the majority of Sasaks today are Muslim, although animism has left its mark on the culture.
Not much is known about Lombok before the 17th century, at which time it was split into numerous, frequently squabbling states each presided over by a Sasak "prince" - a disunity exploited by the neighboring Balinese.

In the early 17th century, the Balinese from the eastern state of Karangasem established colonies and took control of west Lombok. At the same time, the roving Makassarese crosed the strait from their colonies in west Sumbawa and established settlements in east Lombok. This conflict of interests ended with the war of 1677-8, in which the Makassarese were booted off the island and east Lombok temporarily reverted to the rule of the Sasak princes. Balinese control was soon reasserted and by 1740 or 1750 the whole island was in their hands.

While the Balinese were now the masters of Lombok, the basis of their control in west and east Lombok was quite different. In west Lombok, relations between the Balinese and the Sasaks were relatively harmonious. The Sasak peasants, who adhered to the mystical Wektu Telu interpretation of Islam, easily assimilated Balinese Hinduism, participated in Balinese religious festivities and worshipped at the same shrines. Intermarriage between Balinese and Sasaks was common.

The western Sasaks were organised into similar irrigation associations (subak) that the Balinese used for wet-rice agriculture. The traditional Sasak village government, presided over by a chief, was done away with and the peasants were ruled directly by the rajah or a land owning Balinese aristocrat.

Things were very different in the east, where the recently defeated Sasak aristocracy hung in Limbo. Here the Balinese had to maintain control from garrisoned forts and, although the traditional village government remained intact, the village chief was reduced to little more than a tax collector for the local Balinese district head (punggawa)

The Balinese ruled like feudal kings, assuming control of the land from the Sasak peasants and reducing them to the level of serfs. With their power and land-holdings slashed, the Sasak aritocracy of eastern Lombok was hostile to the Balinese. The peasants remained loyal to their former Sasak rulers, and supported rebellions in 1855, 1871 and 1891.

Lombok lies 8 degrees south of the equator and stretches some 80km east to west and about the same distance north to south. It is dominated by the second highest mountain in Indonesia, GUNUNG RINJANI, which soars to 3726m. It has a large caldera with a crater lake, Segara Anak, 600m below the rim, and a new volcanic cone which has formed in the center. Rinjani last erupted in 1994, and evidence of this can be seen in the fresh lava and yellow sulphur around the inner cone.

Central Lombok, to the south of Rinjani is similar to Bali, with rich alluvial plains and fields irrigated by water flowing from the mountains. In the far south and east it is drier, with scrubby, barren hills. This area gets little rain and often has droughts which can last for months. In recent years, several dams have been built, so the abundant rain-fall of the wet season can be retained for irrigation throughout the year.

In Lombok's dry season - from June to September - the heat can be scorching. At night, particularly at higher elevations, the temperature can drop so much a sweater and light jacket are necessary. The wet season extends from October and January the wettest months.

The 19th century naturalist Sir Alfred Wallace (1822 - 1913) observe great differences in fauna between Bali and Lombok - as great as the differences between Africa and South America. In particular. He postulated that during the ice ages when sea levels were lower, animals could have moved by land from what is now mainland Asia all the way to Bali, but the deep Lombok strait would always have been a barrier. Thus he drew a line between Bali and Lombok, which he believed market the biological division between Asia and Austaralia.

Plant life, on the other hand, does not display such a sharp division, but there is a gradual transition from predominantly Asian rainforest species to mostly Australian plants like eucalypts and acacias, which are better suited to long dry periods. This is associated with the lower rainfall as one moves east of Java. Environmental differences, including those in the natural vegetation, are now thought to provide a better explanation of the distribution of animal species than Wallace's theory about limits to their original migrations.

Mdern bio-geographers do recognize a distinction between Asian and Australian fauna, but the boundary between the regions is regarded as much fuzzier than Wallace's line. This transitional zone between Asia and Australia is nevertheless referred to as "WALACEA"
Lombok has a population of 2.4 million (1990 census), with the majority living and around the principal centers of Mataram, Praya and Selong. Almost 90% of the people are Sasak, about 10% are Balinese, and there are minority population of Chinese, Javanese and Arabs.

Most people on Lombok are bilingual, and speak their own ethnic language (Sasak), as well as the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, which they are taught at school and use as their formal and official mode of communication.

Apart from those working in the tourist industry, few people on Lombok speaks English, and this includes police and other officials. Nevertheless, English is becoming more widely spoken on Lombok

TRAVEL TIPS IN LOMBOK

General Matter

1. Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe.

2. Drink always from bottled water and eat well done cooking food, unless when eating at recommended restaurants/cafes or hotel's outlet.

3. Street or beach vendors are often pushing too hard on selling and most visitors feel inconvenient. Never try to look at any of their item/s even they might be interesting to you, even this could be fun for those who want to learn about bargaining tactic. For most visitors this is hassling.

4. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat.

5. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.

6. Due to the limited number of flights to Lombok, during the peak season we highly recommend you to make flight booking far in advanced. Don't forget to ask your local tour operator to re-confirm your ticket minimum 24 hours in advanced to ensure yourself to get seats.

DO’S & DONT’S

It is always nice to learn a few customs of the area when visiting a different country. Here are some do’s and don’ts for an enjoyable trip:

DO’S:

- Use right hand when eating, accepting or giving anything

- If offering anything to someone do it more than once if they refuse.

- Try eating traditionally and sit on the floor

- Try wearing a sarong (both men and women)

DONT’S:

- Touch someone’s head even if you are trying to be friendly or joking.

- Point feet at things, use your hands instead.

Tipping:
Tipping is relatively new in Lombok. Most large hotels and restaurants will automatically add a service charge of between 5 & 10 percent to your bill which is quite sufficient. Smaller restaurants generally don't add anything extra but considering that the waiter's wage may well be less than $1.00 a day - a tip of 5 - 10 percent is very much appreciated.

Bellmen generally get Rp. 500 - Rp.1,000 for a small to medium sized luggage and up to Rp.2,000 for those house trailers some people carry around. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest Rp. 500 or Rp. 1,000 depending on the length of trip is the norm. And with tour guides and the like tipping is up to you - just remember that chances are your driver has already received a commission from anything you purchased during the day.

Bargaining
Difficult for many first timers but once you get the hang of it you’ll never pay retail again! Bargaining is the norm in Lombok's art markets, trinket and T-shirt shops. But don’t get cheesy. Nothing is more irritating nowadays than watching a well clad tourist trying to squeeze the last 1,000 Rupiah (about 10 US cents) out of a shopkeeper. Just remember how much it cost to get to Lombok. So what is the value in not taking home that beautiful earthenware pot ? Negotiate a good price and take home a good story.

Street Wise
Lombok's reputation has been sullied as of late since the economic crises hit Indonesia (staying only in the tourist enclaves you may not see the hardship this economic crises has caused the people) and crime has been on the rise - especially in Southern Lombok (Kuta) and at Mount Rinjani. Nonetheless that said Lombok is still far, far safer than most large cities in this world.

Pickpockets, car break ins and the like seem to be the most common complaints. To reduce your risk, use plain common sense and take the same basic precautions you would if you were visiting any big city. Keep a tight grip on your purse or camera, Never leave any bags (whether valuable or not) in your car unattended in your car, on the beach or by the pool, use the hotel safety deposit box, don’t go down dark deserted alleys and don’t count money in the open etc, etc....

On the other hand don't even think of committing a crime in Indonesia. You are a long way from home with far fewer rights than you think. Behave yourself and be a gracious guest.

Outward Bound
On the way out of the hotel, keep a little extra money handy. All tourists leaving Indonesia from Mataram International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rp.75,000. That said be advised that it is against the law to leave Indonesia with more than Rp. 10,000,000. Departure for domestic travel is also taxed (Rp.10,000) though most of the time this has already been included in the ticket price - but every once and awhile you are surprised... (and even if you're not you can always make a donation to the local Red Cross or charity du jour).

Bussines Hours
Lombok’s laid back pace of life can frustrate the avid shopper. Most shops in the major tourist areas have fairly regular hours from 10 am till 8 p.m., six days a week - sometimes a shop is closed just because it's slow that day! Restaurants start serving from 7.30 a.m. or so until 10.00 pm. Government offices and banks operate from 8 am till 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 am till 12 p.m. on Fridays.

Getting Around Lombok
Traveling in Lombok is much more relaxed than Bali but the roads tend to be narrower (2 lanes with passing in both directions) and once you get out of the main tourist sections, not as well maintained. Whilst we wouldn't recommend anyone rent a self drive car in Bali - in Lombok you can, if you're a bit adventurous, get around on your own quite nicely.

Still the byword is Caution. Traffic moves quite slowly and you can come up on a cidomo (horse drawn cart) quite quickly without realizing it. Also, when you put cidomos together with pedestrians, bicycles, tour buses, trucks, livestock and assorted immovable objects in the middle of roads that are not well marked with traffic controls that are often ignored and little - if any - enforcement of rules that may exist - you have one of the most creative driving experieces imaginable. Pay attention - especially at night !

Metered taxis are now available in Lombok. Easily recognizable by their blue color, they are surprisingly inexpensive compared to other private transport options.

Also be advised that if you have an accident and there is an injury to a local person you will not be able to leave until the matter is cleared up. In the long run it is usually better to hire a car with a driver, enjoy the scenery and arrive at your destination relaxed. It usually costs only about US$ 10.00 more per day to hire a driver with your rental vehicle than without - so you be the judge.

That said, the more adventurous visitor may want to explore Lombok by motorcycle. If you do choose to do so be advised that you will need a motorcycle driver's license - if you don't have one you may get one at the Police station and you need to wear a helmet (the police just love tourists who flaunt this rule).

Another interesting way to discover Lombok is by Bemo (the small covered carry vans careening about). No better way to mix with the locals - Very cheap but there's no airconditioning and the bemos can get crowded. That said, make sure you understand the price before you get in - locals seem to have one price, tourists another - you might just find taxis cheaper.

Last but not least are cidomos (2 wheeled horse drawn buggies). More a tourist thing in Senggigi at night but a staple of transportation for locals in Mataram and elsewhere  during the day.

Transportation

Public Transport:
Public buses operate between main towns throughout Lombok. They are not air-conditioned and can be quite run down and crowded though they are a very cheap and good means of traveling between towns for those on a budget. Prices are fixed and beware!! Indonesians do not travel well on buses.

Bemos or Taxis:
Metered taxis operate in the Senggigi area and are quite cheap. Bemos, or small vans can be found in most towns and will take you anywhere at a price to be negotiated. Make sure you set a price before getting in.

Cidomos:
The cheapest and the most fun way to travel short distances in Lombok is by cidomo , a locally designed horse-drawn cart. These can be found everywhere , even on the small Gili Islands

Car and Motor Bike Hire:
The roads in Lombok are generally quite good and traffic is fairly easy to drive in, even in the cities of Lombok. On the country roads the main traffic is often cidomos or motorbikes. To hire a car in Lombok a valid international drivers license is required.

Electricity:
The power supply throughout Indonesia is 220 volts. Some large hotels have adaptors, but adaptors can be purchased from most Duty Free stores before traveling.

Food and Water:
Food in Lombok can be one of the highlights of your stay. There are many excellent restaurants, and some have quite a good range of meals for vegetarians. As well as delicious local dishes, western style meals are available almost everywhere in Lombok. Water from the taps is not healthy to drink. Water can be purchased in sealed bottles and is available everywhere, larger hotels usually have drinking water in flasks in the room. Water served in restaurants with your meal is also fit to drink.

Health:
Malaria is found in some parts of Lombok, though it is considered safe around the Senggigi region. Please check with your doctor or Traveller Medical Vaccination Centre in your state for advise.

Backpacking:
Lombok is a great place to backpack around quite easily. Most budget hotels or losmens around the countryside have very basic facilities and bathrooms. The ones recommended by  PT. LOMBOK TROPIC HOLIDAYS INDONESIA are chosen as clean, reliable and friendly, but are still quite basic. Often they do not have soap or toilet paper so it is wise to always travel with these items yourself.

Mosquitoes can be a nuisance in some areas and malaria is present, so a light mosquito net and repellent is also good to carry, plus you should also speak to your local doctor or medical centre for details.

We offers a variety of means of traveling around- local transport, Perama backpacker shuttle bus, or private vehicle with their local operator in Lombok. While their tour buses are slightly more expensive, you will be accompanied by one of their experienced local guides. They can be of great assistance particularly in the country , and can take you to places off the normal transport routes. Please also note, some insurance policies do not cover transport by public vehicle, so please ensure you check this before traveling, as some companies will take no responsibility for any injury, loss or damage incurred while utilizing local public transport if this is what you choose.