Gili Lombok, Sumbawa Island, Dompu and Bima Informations

Lombok is The unspoilt paradise island.

The Lombok Strait marks the passage of the biogeographically division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia that is known as the Wallace Line, for Alfred Russel Wallace, who first remarked upon the distinction between these two major biomes.

The island's topography is dominated by the centrally-located strato volcano Mount Rinjani, which rises to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), making it the third-highest in Indonesia. The most recent eruption of Rinjani was in June-July, 1994. The volcano, and its crater lake, 'Segara Anak' (child of the sea), are protected by a National Park established in 1997. The southern part of the island is a fertile plain where corn, rice, coffee, tobacco, and cotton are grown.

The island's inhabitants are 85% Sasak whose origins are thought to have migrated from Java in the first millennium BC. Other residents include 10-15% Balinese, with the small remainder being Chinese, Arab, Javanese, Sumbawanese and Bajarese(Malay).

Mount Rinjani Lombok

Mount Rinjani or Gunung Rinjani is an active volcano in Indonesia on the island of Lombok. It rises to 3,726 m (12,224 ft), making it the third highest volcano in Indonesia, and similar in height to Mount Fuji. The first historical eruption occurred in September 1847. The most recent eruption of Mount Rinjani was on 10 May 2009. The volcano had started erupting again on 27 April 2009, and the mountain was closed as the eruptions intensified with plumes of smoke and ash as high as 8,000 m. The 6 km by 8.5 km oval-shaped caldera is filled partially by a crater lake known as Segara Anak ('Child of the Sea') and is approximately 2000m above sea level and estimated at being around 200m deep), the caldera also contains hot springs. The eruptions of 1994, 1995, and 1996 have formed a small cone, Gunung Baru (or 'New Mountain' - approximately 2300m above sea level) in the center of the caldera and lava flows from these eruptions have entered the lake. This cone has since been renamed Mount Barujari (or 'New Finger').

The highlands are forest clad and mostly underdeveloped. The lowlands are highly cultivated. Rice, soybeans, coffee, tobacco, cotton, cinnamon, and vanilla are the major crops grown in the fertile soils of the island. The volcano and the caldera are protected by a national park established in 1997. Tourism is increasingly popular with trekkers able to visit the rim, make their way into the caldera or even to make the more arduous climb to the highest point fatalities, however, are not uncommon.

Gili Island (Gili T, Gili Meno and Gili Air)

Gili Air is the smallest of the Gilis and it's closest to the Lombok mainland, making it popular with honeymoon couples and travelers seeking a quiet retreat. It has population of about 1,000 and administratively lies in the West Nusa Tenggara province. The island offers excellent snorkeling and scuba diving off its east coast, and turtles can be seen along the coral reef. Gili Meno is the middle of Lombok's three Gilis. It has population of about 400, mainly concentrated on the center of the island. The main income of the population comes from tourism, coconut plantation and fishing. On the west side of the island there is a small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season. Until a few years ago there was also a small production of seaweed on the reef at the north end of the island. It has swimming beaches all around the island, as well as an impressive bird sanctuary. Gili Trawangan is the largest of Lombok's Gili Islands and is the only one to rise significantly above sea level. It is 3km long and 2km wide with a population of about 700. Of the Gilis, Trawangan has the most tourist facilities; the pub Tîr na Nôg claims that Trawangan is the smallest island in the world with an Irish pub. The most crowded part of Trawangan lies on the eastern side. It is administered under Lombok Barat Regency along with Sengigi Beach. On Gili Trawangan (as well as the other two Gilis), there are no motorized vehicles. The main means of transportation are bicycles (rented by locals to tourists) and cidomo (a small horse drawn carriage). For traveling to and from each of the Gilis, locals usually use motorized boats and speedboats. Some of the first inhabitants of Gili Trawangan were from Sulawesi who are fishermen and farmers. Previously Gili Trawangan was covered in forest and deer lived on the island. The economy of Gili Trawangan centers on tourism, as the island is too small to support any broad scale agriculture, and too remote to allow economically viable industry or commerce.

Lombok Hotel and Accommodation

• There are many nice places to visit and travel. Lombok is one of most perfect place for spending holiday. The beaches, scenery and the culture deserve to be explored. instead of the great view of Lombok, Lombok also provides excellent accommodation such as villas, hotels and bungalows.

Sumbawa Island, Dompu Regency, Bima City

• Sumbawa Island is in the province of West Nusa Tenggara and is located eastern side of Lombok island. Sumbawa in a way belongs more to East Nusa Tenggara than it does to West Nusa Tenggara(NTB) and the island has four regencies and they are Sumbawa Barat(west sumbawa), Sumbawa Besar(main sumbawa), Dompu (famous with surfing), and Bima(the gate to komodo by ferry or private wooden boat). There is also a municipality called Kodya Bima. Sumbawa lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire and is a mountainous island with deep ridges and valleys and is also home to the volcano, Mount Tambora.
  
  The weather can sometimes be erratic and during the dry season (April to November) it is fairly dusty. Strong winds are prominent adding to the discomfort. But, when the rainy season begins, the island returns to lush jungles again. The island stretches 300 kilometers east-west but its width varies from 15 to 90 kilometers.
  
  There are two main ethnic groups: Bima and the Samawa. The Tau Samawa who predominately reside in the Sumbawa district. Their language is similar to that of the Sasak’s in Lombok. The Dou Mbojo live in the district of Bima. This district is distinctively Arabic. If you travel a few kilometers to the east of Bima, near Wavo, old traditions are strongly followed and these include ancient rituals connected with ancestral spirits.
  
  Attractions of Sumbawa include the Sultanate Palaces located in Sumbawa Besar and Bima, Sulawesi style weavings in Dompu and of course the surfing in Dompu and West Sumbawa. Being somewhat of a hassle to get to the island, in some ways, the island is not visited much by non-surfing tourists and add to that the scarcity of cheap tourist facilities doesn’t make it appealing to the normal tourist.
  
  The two ethnic group living in Sumbawa area : SAMAWA who mainly reside in East Sumbawa and West Sumbawa district while the MBOJO who live in BIMA and DOMPU at the eastern part. These group are mostly Moeslim but differentiation in their local language, custom and tradition. Despite the different religion and belief system of this diverse population, they live side by side in mutual respect and harmony. In addition, there was evidence in the past time HINDU presence as well as the influence of BUGIS people from Makassar – CELEBES.
  
  There are some villages with Hindu’s cultural influence in the West Sumbawa or Sumbawa district. Family temple can be seen from the main road between Poto Tano, Jereweh and near Utan Rhee. As such, there some opportunities to see Hindu ceremonies being conducted there. A village near Tongo, east of Sekongkang has significant Hindu community as well.
  
  A significant new area for vegetable cultivation can be found at Sekongkang and Aik Kangkung at West Sumbawa Regency and mostly the people who live here the immigrant from Lombok and Bali.

The rim Senaru camping ground overlooking to the lake.

Rice terraces in Swela on the way to Sembalun from Pringgabaya, East Lombok.

The biggest waterfall Sendang Gile located in Senaru village, North Lombok.

Gili Air View - Gili Island