21-28oCLombok and Beyond
Measuring 80 km by 70 km, Lombok is slightly smaller than Bali with approximately 4,725 sq kms. It divides conveniently into three geographical regions. The northern part of the island is mountainous and lush with tall trees and shrub. The south, on the other hand is arid and covered by savannas. At around the time Islam first time came to these island in 16 century, four Hindu kingdom co-existed in apparent peace in what is now West Nusa Tenggara . Lombok experienced strong Balinese influence, but has retained a unique identity.
The indigenous people of Lombok, the Sasak, are predominantly Moslem and have a strong distinguished tradition as do people in the neighboring Sumbawa. Famous for it’s ikat hand woven textile, the island has exceptional charm and is relatively undiscovered, except for the town of Senggigi, which is becoming a major resort area.
The mountainous north is dominated by the awesome bulk of “Gunung Rinjani” or Mount Rinjani, at 3726m one of the highest peaks in Indonesia, and until late 1994 believe to be dormant.
Trekking at least part of the way up Rinjani is the reason of many tourist come to Lombok, and it’s easily organized and highly satisfying trip. The central plains, about 25 km wide, contain the most population centers and most productive agricultural area as well as major road no the island linking the west and east coasts. Attractive Villages perched in southern foothills of Rinjani are easily accessible from here, and many of the island’s craft center are also in the near of this cross-island corridor.
Most tourist who come to the area either visit on a fast trip around the island or come to climb various parts of Mount Rinjani, an easily arranged and extremely enjoyable adventure, although only possible in the dry season ( May – Oct ). However, the area offers plenty of comfortable place to stay and a clutch of attractive Waterfalls, and it’s traditional villages are more interesting than any other n the island.
Further south again is a range of dry, low inland hills, around 500m high, behind the sweeping bays and pure white sands of the southern beaches, all of which can be explored from Kuta, the accommodation center of the south and surfing focus of the island.
Several groups of the island lie off the Lombok coast. The trio of Gili Island “ Trawangan, Meno, and Air “ off the northwest coast, are the best known to tourist, long-time fovourite with backpackers in search of the sea. Sun and sand in simple surrounding, although Gili Trawangan, in particular, is heading up market at a rapid rate.
Those off southwest peninsula and the northeast coast are also becoming more accessible.
Sumbawa Island
Tepas Sumbawa, a charming village on the slope of the mountain Batu Lante, 60 kilometers south of Sumbawa Besar, The houses are built in local traditional style, and visiting here is a return to an earlier, simpler way to life.
Mount Tambora, not active at present, the 2.820 meters Tambora is notorious for its savage eruption on April 5 – July 15 1815. The top, now an immense caldera, has two distinctly colored lakes. From the rim of the crater, the breath taking view over the rest of the island includes Mount Rinjani and the island of Lombok rising out the sea.
Bima, the former palace in the town of Bima has been turned in to a museum devoted to the ancient kingdom of Bima.
Dara, a village two kilometers from town is believed to have been seat of this once powerful empire.
Sape, shipwright still make sailboats the traditional way n this port town on Sumbawa’s coast. Sape is a convenient point of departure for trips to Komodo Island a cross the strait, home of the prehistoric Komodo Lizard
Komodo Island
A small island of 280 square km, Komodo island is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. It is famous for it’s giant lizard. Considered the last their kind remaining in the world today, The Komodo Dragon. Called “Ora” by the local people. Komodo “dragon” (Varanus Komodoensis) is actually a giant monitor lizard. Growing up to 3 to 4 meters in length, its ancestors roamed the earth up to alf a million years ago.
Komodo live on goats, deer, and even the carcasses of their kind. The only human population on the island is at fishing village called “Komodo” who suppiament their income breeding goats which are used to feed the lizard. The Komodo is protected by law and although they considered harmless, it is advisable to keep them at a distance.
Komodo Island is now a nature reserve, home to a number of rare bird species, deer, and wild pigs, which are prey to the lizard as well.
Flores
Flores is Portuguese name which means “flower” an ideally describe he beauty to be found here. These long island between Sunbawa and Timor is crowded with volcanoes and mountains, dividing it into several regions with distinct languages and tradition.
Predominantly Catholic and heavily influenced by the Portuguese, there are many examples of a strong Europe cultural heritage, like the eastern procession held in Larantuka, and the royal regalia of the former of Maumere.
Sumba
Formerly known as Sandal wood island, Sumba is now famous for it’s horses and it’s horses and it superb style for ikat cloth. Spirit, both ancestral and natural, are worshipped. West Sumba is famous for its enormous megalithic tombs and traditional thatched and peaked huts raised on stilts. Incredible rituals are a way of life here, such as the “Pasola”, where hundred of horsemen fling spears at each other in an annual tradition.
Many traditional ceremonies, all paying homage to the spirits, take place from July to October, including the building of “adapt” or traditional houses. Burial ceremonies require the sacrifice of hundred of pigs, water buffaloes horses, and dogs.
Other ceremonies include “Pajura” or traditional boxing, festivals for the Lunar New Year in October and November, horse’s races and ritual dances.