Lombok, a Sister Island of Bali
 

The Island of Lombok, Indonesia is one of the Lesser Sundas Islands separated from Bali by the Lombok Strait and from Sumbawa by the Alas Strait. It is 70 mi (115 km) long and 50 mi (80 km) wide and occupies an area of 2,098 sq mi (5,435 sq km).It was ruled by the sultan of Makasar in 1640. The Balinese later seized control and established four kingdoms there.

Climate
Lombok basically has two seasons – wet and dry. The wet season generally occurs from November through to February, with heavy monsoon rainfall and cloud. During this time it can be quite humid but still hot. The dry season from March to October can still experience rain but is generally fine, clear and hot with average temperatures around 28″C. Around August and September it can also be quite breezy. The best months for good surf are June, July and August.

People
The population of Lombok is madeup largely of Sasaks of Malayan origin, though there are Chinese in this the populated area around Mataram, some Balinese in the west, and some Sumbawanese in the east.Agriculture is far and away the dominating business, with paddy rice, soybeans, tubers, peanuts (groundnuts), tobacco, coconuts, and vegetables the chief crops.The central lowland strip of the island, between the two elevated coastal areas, is the centre of settlement and rice cultivation. Mataram, the provincial capital, is the largest city.The chief port is Lembar, on the western coast.

Tipping
Tipping is relatively fresh in Lombok. All large hotels and eating houses will automatically add a service charge of between five & ten percent to your bill which is quite sufficient. Smaller restaurants generally do not add up 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.

Passport Requirements
There are no Visas required for Australian passport holders to move into Indonesia, however your passport must have a minimum of six months validity from the date of entrance into Republic of Indonesia. For passengers of other nationalities its best to check your visa requirements from the nearest Indonesian consulate.

Currency
The unit of currency throughout Indonesia is the Rupiah (Rp). Currently the exchange rate is approximately Rp.10.000 for $1 American and Rp 5.000 for $1 Australian dollar on the island of Lombok. Higher rates are available in Bali. However as the Rupiah has still not stabilized and rates may vary greatly.

Language
The national language is Bahasa Indonesia and various dialects are also spoken throughout Indonesia. English is taught as a second language in all schools. English is widely spoken in most tourist areas and generally wherever you travel no matter how remote, someone can be found who speaks English. There is usually no shortage of locals wanting to try out their English skills.

Business Hours
Indonesians works mostly in the morning to avoid heat of the day. If you intended to go to a government office, arrive between 08 AM and 11:30 AM. These timings also apply to banks and private businesses.

Discover Sekotong, South West Lombok

Sekotong, South West Lombok, is unique amongst the other dive locations around Lombok. Here one finds diving as individual experiences at exclusive new dive sites around the south coast, and special day trips with the chance to go exploring in undiscovered waters. Located in the tropical bay of Sekotong, an 1,5 hour drive from Senggigi you can find the Sundancer 5star resort, and the location promises tropical sun, fabulous diving and short ways to and from the boats.

With over 3,500 species living in the Indonesian underwater world, there is one of the richest diversities of marine life to be found in this Indo-Pacific region. In comparison, the Great Barrier Reef has just 1,500 species and the Red Sea only 600. The dive sites in South Lombok reflect a good cross-section of what Indonesia has to offer, and you can “Dive in” and be fascinated by turtles, white tip reef sharks, cuttle fish, moray eels, frog fish, ghost pipefish and much, much more. South Lombok presents itself as a highlight for photographers and all scuba enthusiasts.

There are varying conditions throughout the bay of Sekotong. From easy and relaxed conditions in the protected bay to exciting and adventurous diving around Bangko Bangko and further south. This enables Sekotong to offer a great variety of dive sites for the experienced, as well as for the beginning diver, as well as fun daytrips for snorkeling and families!

Not a diver? Not a problem. The fascinating islands along the south coast welcome you with white sandy beaches for swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. Join a boat trip and view the breathtaking scenery of Lombok’s coastline and experience the pristine beaches while the divers are on the way. During the breaks you can enjoy the relaxed picnic together and have fun. There are also quiet a few opportunities to get into diving. You can do a “Scuba try out” free of charge in the shallow water. A qualified dive instructors or dive master will explain the scuba gear to you, and you can try out how comfortable you feel in the water breathing “bottled” air.