gili island natural beauty

lombok island holiday in natural tropical beauty

The Gili Islands are an archipelago of three small islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air — just off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia.
The islands are a popular destination for Western tourists looking for a remote island experience. Each island has several small resorts, usually consisting of a small collection of huts for tourists, and a restaurant. Most local inhabitants live in the hilly interior of the island. Automobiles and motorized traffic are prohibited on the islands by local ordinance, so the preferred method of transportation is bicycle or the horse-drawn carriage called a cidomo.


Diving in and around the Gilis is also popular, although the prices are fairly high due to local cartel activities. The name "Gili Islands" is a bit of a misnomer, because Gili simply means "small island" in Sasak.

All three islands feature superb, white sandy beaches, crystal clear water, spectacular coral reefs, and the best snorkeling and diving to be found anywhere on Bali and Lombok. Visitors from all over the world are attracted to the simple pleasures of sun, snorkeling, diving, beautiful beaches, and socializing. The absence of cars, motorcycles, and hawkers adds greatly to the leisure of staying on the Gilis – although there is now a wide range of accommodation available, the islands have maintained the lazy rustic charms of a tropical paradise.

gili trawangan under water coral beauty
gili trawangan

Gili Trawangan is the most popular among the three Gili’s. Just kick back and enjoy the sun, nightly beach parties and sea. The main stripe is full of accommodations, restaurants, and dive shops.
If you are seeking a quieter place to stay there are bungalows in the north. This Island is also known as "Party Island", where mostly young European find themselves "Lost In Paradise".
If you come during the Peak Season (July-August, December-January), most places are full and prices are doubled. An advanced reservation is a must.
With spectacular sunrises over Lombok's Mount Rinjani volcano and breathtaking sunsets that illuminate Bali's towering Mount Agung volcano, together with warm hospitality of the Gili Trawangan residents, it's not surprising that most visitors end up staying longer than originally plan.


gili air

Gili Air is the nearest Gili to Lombok. It is also the most populated and you will find more trees there than the other Gili's. The local inhabitants are: Sasak, Mandar, Bugis and Makassar. You can find their unique culture that is different from Lombok and wonderful beaches. Many of the older generation still make their living as boatmen, fisherman and farming coconuts.
There are only a few number of luxury upmarket hotels (rooms with air conditioning, swimming pool, TV etc) on Gili Air. Most of places to stay are located in south, west and east side of the island. The island remains quiet and relaxing making it popular with honeymoon couples and travelers seeking a quiet retreat.

sea turtle at gili air

gili air beach

gili meno island
Gili Meno

Gili Meno is the middle island, the smallest of the three Gili's and it is the quietest with fewer tourists. A great escape for honeymooners or someone who wants to get away from it all.
Special features of the island is the salt lake and spectacular dive sites such as, Meno Wall, Sea Turtle Point, and Blue Coral Point. The beach on eastern part of the island is very nice and there's snorkeling just offshore and further north.
Gili Meno has a population of about 300 locals. The interior of the island is mostly a palm trees surrounded by grass which is kept neat by cows munching lazily in the shade. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island, all transport is by horse-drawn carts or on foot. The diving was pretty good, with quite a strong current but that incredible swimming-pool visibility that you get on good days off the islands in SE Asia. The relaxed pace of life and the community feeling on the island is really special. In Gili Meno, where fresh water is shipped from Lombok, eco-friendly practices are not an option. It is a necessity.
source http://www.phonevaganza.web.id/
gili meno beach gili island off the coast of lombok island.

travel info to lombok island coast of gili, diving, snorkeling, beach, natural, coral

Lombok unspoiled paradise

WHAT TO DO in LOMBOK: Climbing Mount Rinjani is a highlight for many Lombok visitors. Arrange for a guide. A one-night trek, including guide, food, and camping on the volcano's crater rim. Enjoy the breath taking view on top the crater, A smaller volcanic cone emerges from the crater lake within Mount Rinjani, an active volcano and one of Indonesia's tallest. Taking a two-day trek to the 12,224-foot-high summit of Rinjani is the perfect way to crown a visit to Lombok. Starting off under the jungle canopy at its base, travelers are likely to see wild pigs and black-leaf monkeys along the way, before arriving for the night at the rim of the mountain's lake-filled volcanic crater. The steep push for the summit begins before daybreak the next morning. As dawn approaches, the circular contours of Lombok become visible below. And to the west, across the Lombok Strait, a faint outline of Bali's Mount Agung becomes visible through the morning mist. Lombok island adventure hiking up to the crater of mount Rinjani Adventure Travel in the Sun Explore Top National Parks Indonesia's Lombok island lies just across a narrow strait to the east from Bali. But unlike its sister island -- a travel Mecca that has become even more popular and ever overcrowded, Lombok has remained largely in quiet, save for a trickle of foreign travelers who have discovered its charms. Now the bucolic island is gaining a following among tourists turned off by the over commercialization of Bali. A number of posh boutique resorts have recently sprung up along Lombok's western coast lf Senggigi bay to cater to this crowd. They serve capiroscas and other fancy cocktails on the beach at sundown, but are just a stone's throw away from rural, unspoiled countryside, much as Bali was four decades ago. The resort also has a top-notch spa offering lulur, a traditional Indonesian body scrub that uses a paste made from sandalwood, tumeric and rice flower. Be pampered as a royalty. And just off the west coast, on the largest of three tiny islands known as the Gilis, divers and swimmers explore the coral see underwater world. living easy lifestyle and spartan bungalows with saltwater showers and catered to scuba divers and backpackers who arrived by traditional fishing craft. Still, the little islands retain their rugged feel, with horse and carriage the only mode of public transport. Lombok's shabby-chic image and stunning natural beauty (Mount Rinjani, Indonesia's second-highest peak, is a popular destination for trekkers) is also attracting big outside investors.  Those selling Lombok as the "unspoiled Bali" have many historical connections to draw upon. In the 18th century, a Hindu Balinese king conquered much of the island, and his progeny ruled until the Dutch pushed them out at the turn of the 20th century. Today, 10% of Lombok's population, mainly in the western part of the island, are of Balinese origin, and the island is dotted with Hindu shrines. In the town of Narmada, the same king built a temple on a hill as a replica of Mount Rinjani, an ancient pilgrimage site. On days leading up to a full moon, the temple in the palace is festooned with garlands of flowers and baskets of fruit offerings. Yet Lombok's culture is also distinct from Bali's, and is the product of a complex cultural mixing. Islam arrived here in the 16th century and over time the dominant ethnic group -- the Sasaks, who today make up 85% of the population -- became Muslim.  But as in many parts of Indonesia, orthodox teachings were only partially embraced. The mountain village of Bayan, in the northern part of the island, is the center of Wetu Telu, a religion that blends elements of Muslim, Hindu and animist beliefs. Followers pray three times a day, instead of Islam's standard five. Mount Rinjani is the spiritual heart of Lombok's animist traditions. It is also the place where Alfred Russel Wallace, the noted Victorian explorer and naturalist, observed the differences between bird species on Bali and on Lombok. He later identified the Wallace Line, which runs between the islands and divides Indonesia into two distinct parts: one where the birds and animals are more closely related to those found in Asia and the other to those in Australasia. Lombok's potential has been touted before and never come to much. Some people in the travel business here fear the global economic recession could thwart the island's latest ambitions once again. Every time Lombok is ready to take off, something happened The area did well for a while but the Asian financial crisis in 1997-98, followed by the 2002 Bali nightclub bombings and another attack on a Bali beach in 2005, had a devastating effect on Lombok's tourism industry. Lombok's new wave of resorts marks the latest attempt by the island to become a serious tourist draw. Like travel destinations throughout the region, Lombok has battled to overcome a series of setbacks, including the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s and terrorist attacks in Bali a few years ago. Despite new challenges on the horizon, including a global recession, locals here are hoping that a major investment from a Middle Eastern developer, combined with Westerners' desires for less expensive resort alternatives in the area, will finally put Lombok on the tourist map. Earlier this year, the U.S. lifted its travel warnings on the country, and travelers and expats here say they feel perfectly safe. But the difficulty of getting to Lombok has continued to stunt its growth. While many international airlines fly direct to Bali, Lombok has only a few flights a week from Singapore. The usual route to the island is a short hop from Bali in a twin-prop plane, but since mid-2007, the European Union has banned EU-based tour operators from selling Indonesian domestic flights, after a series of deadly crashes in the archipelago in recent years. None of those incidents involved the private operators who run flights between Bali and Lombok, however. And Indonesia has taken serious steps to improve its overall air-safety record in the past year, raising hopes that the EU ban soon will be lifted. In the meantime, many tourists buy tickets directly from Indonesian travel agents to work around the EU ban. The Indonesian government also constructing a new modern airport only 20 minutes from the planned tourist resort development. Roads are being upgraded across the island as well.   just off the west coast Lombok, on the largest of three tiny islands known as the Gilis, divers and swimmers explore the coral see underwater world.   What could be better than breathing in the fresh air while the sun warms your back? A vacation to one of the country's mountain side or shorelines will leave you with a new appreciation for nature and a checklist of where to visit next year. The southern coast of the island, at Kuta beach, with unspoilt natural beauty, has world-class surfing. Ask the locals to arrange for a boat out to the best breaks.

Lombok island - the perfect holiday in the sun

The island of Lombok is located east of Bali island and can be easily accessed by air or by sea. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes Lombok the perfect getaway.
Escape to picturesque mountainside landscapes to white sand beaches of the Gili Islands. A place to relax and unwind from the daily life back home.
Lombok also has the third largest volcano in all of Indonesia, Mount Rinjani, which extends 3726 meters high with a crater lake called Segara Anak.


Mt. Rinjani is one of the largest mountains in Indonesia. On a clear day you can see break taking views from the summit. There is a crater lake, Segara Anak and a natural hot springs there. The trek usually takes about three days and it is advised to go with an experienced guide.


The main season here are wet season which starts from November to May and dry season start from May-October. The best time to come is in the month of May when the weather is just perfect with bright daylight and green scen

The local inhabitants of Lombok are called Sasaks. They speak Indonesian as well as their local Sasak language. The other main ethnicity’s include Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese.

Lombok has three main districts with three capital cities: Mataram in the west, Praya in central and Selong in east Lombok. The majority of commerce is in the capital city of Mataram in west Lombok. The majority of the population on Lombok are Muslims. Every Friday around 12.30 noon, Muslims go to the mosques j
Visitor can explore the tiny island by using various kind of transportation such as: Chartered/Car Hire, Taxi, Bus, Bemo/Angkot (local’s public transportation) and Motorcycle.

There are plenty of activities you can do to complete your holiday. Sightseeing or touring organized by reputable local tour operators is the best option to discover what Lombok has to offer. Renting a car or motor cycle is also good alternative to get around, either self-driving, or with a driver so you can relax and enjoy the view. Car rental in Lombok is more expensive than Bali. Tip driver pocket money for meals if you stop for lunch or diner. If you are pleased with service, tip the driver or local guide at the end. If you collide with anything, or it collides with you, you are responsible for all costs.

Senggigi
Senggigi is the most developed area for tourists on Lombok. You can find a variety of restaurants, bars, discotheques, travel agents, photo processors, money changers, souvenir shop and a range of accommodations starting from budget guest house to 5 star hotels. Restaurants and small cafes line the colorful main beach road. Swimming off the beach is safe.

Most visitors to Lombok usually start their stay at Senggigi, Lombok's most famous resort area. Private villas, boutique hotels giving more options to the visitors of Lombok

The town of Senggigi spreads out along nearly 10 kilometers of coastal road. This road continues north to Bangsal, port for the Gili Islands. Along the way be in store for winding turns, steep hills, and a fantastic scenery of the coast.
Senggigi bay area, is much cooler than Bali. Senggigi is a four-kilometer strip of beach front, restaurants, and luxury resorts. Located about half an hour ride by car from the airport, it was first established and developed as a tourists area in 1986 by the Indonesian government.
The majority of the four- and five-star hotels in the island are located here. Its fame comes mostly from the breathtaking view of its bay facing the Lombok strait, which is also paralleled by the lush hills that blow a cool breeze to the whole Senggigi area.


The simple pleasure of sunshine, white sandy beaches in quieter settings, unique culture, and eco tours makes Lombok a perfect getaway for honeymooners, families or those who look for a total relaxing holiday



Surfing In Lombok
KUTA BEACH & SOUTH LOMBOK


The best-known place on the south coast is Lombok's Kuta Beach (Sometime spelt Kute Beach) a magnificent stretch of white sand and blue sea with rugged hills rising around it, famous for its surfing spots.

Kuta Beach Lombok attract visitors for its beautiful virgin beaches and surfing spots. Surfers from all over the world find Kuta Lombok as a surfer paradise. South coast of Lombok is famous for the high waves and Kuta Lombok is a good base for the surfers.

Many visitors come back year after year to surf the famous Kuta waves. Whether you are an experienced surfer or a beginner you will find the surf spot for you. Surf boards & boogie boards are available to rent or bring your own. You will need transport to the waves from Kuta, most guests choose to rent motorcycles which come with a special surf rack attached.

People usually head out to south Lombok for the best waves. Kuta Beach Lombok has white sandy beaches with good reef breaks.

You will need to take a boat to reach most spots. Another famous surfing spot is Bangko bangko, or known by most surfers as "Desert Point".
Like Bali, it has a beautiful surfing beach named Kuta. But unlike Kuta in Bali, which is densely populated with hotels ranging from the local inns to the five-star hotels, the Kuta beach in Lombok is remote and ideal for honeymooners. There is only one five-star hotel there where most up-market tourists stay.

Near the beach are several Sasak villages where the native Sasak people live. Their ancestors migrated to the island from the ancient Hindu Majapahit Kingdom in East Java at the end of the 14th century. Though the majority of the Sasak today are Moslems, anthropologists have noted that their language, songs, and dances show a strong link with the Hindu and Buddhist cultures that once dominated the Indonesian archipelago



Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

The Gili Islands is where everyone goes to dive and snorkel. Clear blue-green waters with abundant undersea life. There are many professional dive shops on the Gili’s with certified dive masters. The most popular ones are Blue Marlin, Dream Divers, Trawangan Dive, Dive Indonesia, Blue Coral, and Manta Dive. Trips are from beginners to advanced. A note of caution if snorkeling alone due to strong currents.

the sasak traditional costume
Lombok has great woven textiles like songkets and ikats that can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations before. There is a traditional hand weaving village in Puyung, central Lombok. You can even try on a traditional Sasak costume.
peaceful lombok countryside

Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are famous villages in Lombok for making pottery. Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped throughout the world. There is a wide range of selections and it can custom made to your liking. We hope to develop the economy of the area by directly meet them with serious buyer from all over the world.

There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir i.e. wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan.


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