The
Gilis
(Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and
Gili Air)
The three 'Gili' Islands are one of Lombok's most popular tourist destinations. The islands are very
relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside
cafes serving up delicious food, and fresh fish grills.
There are no cars or motorbikes on the islands. People
either walk around, or pick up the local transport (cidomo
– chi-dom-mo) horse cart.
People travel to the Gili's to enjoy the relaxation, beaches,
snorkeling and diving. There are now many up-market
restaurants, bars and accommodation on the islands.
Note that there are no ATMs on the islands, so bring plenty
of cash with you. From west to east, the islands are:
KUTA & SURF SPOTS KUTA BEACH
This spectacularly picturesque beach is one of the most
popular beaches in Lombok. Named
after Princess Mandalika, a princess from Sasak legend
who was unable to make a decision about which of her
many suitors she should marry. Her only solution was to
transform herself into sea worms. Now every year a
ceremony is held here on Kuta Beach,
when the sea worms appear traditionally known as 'Nyale'.
Surfing
Lombok's Waves
Most of Lombok's south coasts offer surf-seekers challenging waves of
various grades. Particularly there are four surf-points,
which are highly recommended for surf lovers. Within the
Lombok's Kuta Beach there are two points, namely Gerupuk
that provides neutral waves, and Aik Guling offering
waves mostly for the left-handed. Several kilometers to
the West of Kuta Beach there is Pengantap desert point
that provides various grades of attractions, but it is
ideal only during the periods of June, July, August,
December and January. The next break is at Ekas Beach
that reserves challenging waves and reef-break-points,
reachable by boat or by land from Kuta Beach on an
approximately one and half hour cruise.
Take a Trip and Try Kuta for a Fabulous South Coast Br
eak
THE
fabulous south coast of Lombok,
with sweeping bays and craggy headlands protected from
the full force of the Indian Ocean swells by colourful
coral reefs, finds its most 'urban' expression in the
little community of Kuta, around 30 kilometres south of
Praya in the Central Lombok lowlands.
It is the major centre of tourism development on the south
coast, but still a sleepy place of only a few permanent
residents. It's a great place for Lombok-made clothing
and artefacts. And it is also the base for exploring
Lombok's southern beaches and the many points of
interest in the region. An easy 90-minute drive from Senggigi, Kuta makes for a
wonderful day trip from other points in Lombok,
or indeed an alternative holiday destination for sun
lovers. The four-star Novotel Lombok is there to provide
a definitive range of creature comforts.
Kuta and the surrounding region also has an international
reputation for some of the best surfing destinations in
South-East Asia and it is here that the Indian Ocean's
regular big swells form great surf breaks and offer
fantastic vistas of cliffs, headlands and beaches carved
out of the southern coastline.
Driving down to the south coast, you pass through small
farming villages and notice the different geography of
this part of the island.
The north is more lush and green, with mountain ranges to
catch the clouds and trap the rain, whereas the south is
much drier, with smaller mountains and large areas of
flat land.
Fields of tobacco, corn and peanuts line the roadsides and
farmers till the fields using ploughs pulled by large
water buffalo. Just before arriving in Kuta (the final section is through
coastal hill country that abounds with Lombok's
east-of-the-Wallace Line wildlife), the road passes two
traditional Sasak villages, Sade and Rambitan.
On the east side of the road is Rambitan, a village that
caters to tourists and has authentic clusters of
thatched lumbungs, traditional rice barns. On the west
side of the road is Sade, an authentic hilltop village
with the oldest mosque in Lombok, Mesjid Kuno.
Both villages are interesting examples of traditional Sasak
architecture and communal living within the compounds,
where life continues as it has for centuries.
Residents, who act as guides for a small fee, encourage walks
through either of these villages and are happy to share
their lifestyles with visitors. The south coast itself provides plenty of opportunities for
exploring beaches and coastal scenery of breathtaking
beauty. Surfers congregate in Kuta to be near the great surfing spots
in the region. It is easy to hire a board and surf guide
from here to learn surfing or, for experienced surfers,
to access the more challenging surf breaks in the area.
There is a good variety of hotels and restaurants for all
budgets in Kuta to make a stay enjoyable.
Steeped in history and legend, the south coast is a
fascinating area to visit, whether your interests are
historical, cultural, or just for the opportunity to see
and explore some of the most beautiful and pristine
coastal scenery in
Indonesia.
