BALI and LOMBOK
share the same national language , similar spectacular sceneries from terraced rice fields to sacred mountains and stunning , gleaming coastlines .
But from a tourist perpective at least , bali with three million people and one million visitors per year , is the slightly more sophisticated cousin , and as a result more publicised . There is much more nightlife , an array of excellent international restaurants , shopping , shopping , and more shopping .
Bali is , in this sense , the slightly older cousin with a delightful range of attractions for the worlds tourist .
Lombok Island has the raw and fresh energy of the younger cousin . we have spectacular coastlines , mesmerizing marine life for snorkelling , scuba sailing , windsurfing . from desert point and of Bangko Bangko to kuta lombok and beyond , Lombok draws the world surfers in droves .
Then there is the world famous Mount Rinjani Park , a dream excursion for a hiker and wildlife fanatics .
To climb mount Rinjani and explore Its surrounding ecological sites is one of the most exhilarating tourist attractions anywhere in the world .
Geographi
Lombok and Sumbawa are the two main islands which belong to West Nusa tenggara province , which strech between 115°. 46` and 119° . 10` east longitudes , and 8°.5 and 9º.5` south longitudes .
Lombok Island consist of three regencies : West Lombok Regency , Central Lombok Regency and East Lombok Regency , All parts of this islands are dominated mostly by Sasak , the Native People of Lombok .
Presently Lombok Islands has about three millions people on it and it is one of densely populated island in Indonesia .
Sumbawa Island consist of four Regencies : Sumbawa Regency , West Sumbawa Regency , Dompu Regency and Bima Regency .
Each of those four regencies has people with differents cultures and customs .
These strategic assest have become one of the most popular travel destinations in the eastern part of Indonesia , as many fantastic natural wonders , different cultures and customs to see .
Climate
There are two seasons all over Indonesia , the dry and rainy season . The dry season starts from April to October , and the rainy season is from November to March .
The average temperatures ranges from 21 degrees celcius to 33 degrees celcius .
Language
The local mother – tongues Sasak is spoken widely on the most part of Lombok Island , Samawa is spoken on the west part of Sumbawa Island , and Mbojo spoken both in Dompu and Bima regencies . The National language is Bahasa Indonesia . English is now widely spoken either by educated people , businessmen and government officers . Other foreign languages such as German , Dutch , French , Japanese , and even Mandarin are spoken fluently by guides .
Religion
About 80% of the people of West Nusa Tenggara are Moslem , and the rest of them are Christian , Hindu , and othe ancient beliefs .
Flight
On Lombok Island there almost fifteen flights a day which are served by
Garuda Indonesia , Merpati Nusantara Airlines , GT Air , Wings Air and Lion Air , from Mataram (Lombok ) to Denpasar (Bali) v.v , Mataram Tos Surabaya (east java) v.v, Mataram to Jakarta v.v.
Also there are at least two scheduled international flight from Mataram to Singapore v.v served by Silk Air and from Mataram to Kuala Lumpur v.v served by Merpati .
Money Changer
Generally money changer facilities are available at most Airports in Indonesia . On arrival at Lombok you can exchange money at the Airport or in the cities . Banks will serve you from 08.00 am to 04.00 pm (Monday to Friday ) . Private money changers are open from 08.00 am to midnight ( daily )
Currency Payment
Travllers cheques and Bank Notes are accepted by bonafide travel agents , best hotels and commercial Banks . credit cards are also honoured ie: Visa Card , master Card , etc , while Bank Drafts are only served in commercial Banks .
