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mylombok

EDITION 006AUG ‘14 ISSUE

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SASAK SOCIETY

HOLIDAYS AND WANDERLUSTMELLOW MOOD REGGAE VIBESJOHN FAWCETT FOUNDATIONTHE ASTONISHING HEALING POWERS OF THE COCONUTVILLA ANANDITA

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ENQUIRIESTelephone: +62 (0)8191 600 1539E-mail: info@mylombok.co.idWebsite: www.mylombok.co.idFacebook: /mylombokmagTwitter: @My_Lombok

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Often the most rewarding, life affirming moments come where and when you least expect them, be it a deserted beach, tropical rainforest or a seemingly nondescript rural village. Travel is a liberating experience and journeys of a few steps or a thousand miles can leave a lasting impression. Every day is a journey at MyLombok as we aim to showcase the quirky, contrasting experiences that we encounter.

Lombok is filled with those unexpected priceless moments that no amount of planning can achieve. We embrace the timeless traditions and culture that makes Lombok so unique, but also highlight the modern innovations as Lombok evolves into a premier international tourist haven in its own right.

We like to bring readers a new perspective on Lombok’s established attractions and a first look at the seemingly endless array of secret spots that are destined as the ‘next big thing.’ This issue we showcase the untouched secret Gili Islands of East Lombok. Also, we look at the increasingly popular Lombok — Komodo cruises and cover a glamorous fashion shoot at the Tugu Hotel, Tanjung. Don’t forget to check out an insightful article showing the subtle differences between travel and taking a vacation.

Unique for a tropical hotspot in the ascendency, in Lombok there is virtually no urban sprawl at all — and nowhere is off limits for the inquisitive traveller. Abundant adventure is out there limited only to your time and imagination. There are dreams to be fulfilled, new friendships waiting to be formed and no doubt, many first-time visits that will quickly transform into a full-blown love affair with Lombok.

THE BAD GUY NOTICENo part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of PT Tujuan Indah. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the authors and My Lombok disclaims any responsibility for any errors, ommissions or complaints arising there from. The publisher will not be held responsible for copyright infringement on images supplied by advertisers and or by contributors.

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

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NewsThis Month’s News Snippets from around the Region

LifeHolidays and Wanderlust

DestinationThe Gilis of East Lombok: Gili Kondo, Gili Bidari & Gili Lampu

CultureSasak: A Unique Society

Health & LeisureA Sailing Adventure aboard the Tropic Princess

Up CloseMellow Mood Reggae Vibes

Giving BackThe John Fawcett Foundation: Treating Preventable Blindness in West Lombok

FashionVintage Delivery

The Astonishing Healing Powers of The Coconut

FoodNunkoo Suttyawan

Luxury LivingVilla Anandita

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This month’s news snippets

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NEW PRESIDENT FOR INDONESIA

On Tuesday 22nd July, following one of the most hotly contested elections in Indonesia’s history, Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was declared the winner of Indonesia’s presidential election. The Elections Commission, known as KPU, said the Jakarta governor had won by just over six percentage points, with 53.15 percent of the nearly 130 million votes cast on July 9.

Jokowi’s rival, former general Prabowo Subianto, held out to the end and threatened to resign from the campaign, rendering his supporters’ votes illegitimate in a move that was deemed to be illegal.

When he takes his place in the presidential palace, Jokowi will be Indonesia’s seventh president, its third to be elected by a direct vote and the first businessman who has not come from the political elite.

Jokowi has promised major reforms including simplifying life for investors by addressing shortcomings in infrastructure and manufacturing, and unravelling the bureaucratic red tape that is seen by many to create an impenetrable set of regulations. Political commentators see Jokowi as a cathartic figure in Indonesian politics, known as reformist with a straightforward manner and a no nonsense attitude toward corruption.

“This victory is a victory for all the people of Indonesia,” the president-elect said.

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from around the region

FIRST PARADIGM WATER FILTER INSTALLED

The Paradigm Water Project has begun installing Biosand water filters in Tumpak Village, at various households in the area. Villagers are encouraged to participate in the preparation of the sand and gravel for inside the filters, as well as the installation of the filters in their homes. The first water filter has been installed and the water will be drinkable in three weeks, after the bio layer on top has formed. Water tests and subsequent checks on the filters' performance are intended to create an organic awareness of the problem of sanitation and household water treatment.

Contaminated drinking water is the leading cause of sickness and death in the world, and like countless other places, Lombok has massive need for household water purification.

Paradigm has twenty locally-produced terracotta filters to install with its initial funding, and hopes to forge a sustainable and constructive long-term presence in Lombok over the coming months. To find out more about Paradigm, the Biosand water filter, as well as how you can get involved by volunteering or sponsoring a filter for a household, check out the Paradigm Water Project's website at www.paradigmwater.org

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"If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home" — James A Michener

Of course everyone likes to talk about the places that they’ve visited, but does a package holiday at an expensive resort really classify one as a traveller? Now, more than ever, we pack our suitcases, throw in the sunscreen, make sure we haven't forgotten our passports or our iPads, and head for the airport. But so very often we take our own little world of home comforts with us. Working all year round for those precious couple of weeks in the sun, we have our hands held from the airport directly to the poolside of our all-inclusive hotel — an air-conditioned, home-away-from-home with an internet connection, where a cooked English breakfast and sunset cocktails are a must, where all the other guests speak the same language as we do, and where #hashtags, #instagram, and #selfies are an expectation.

The definition of a holiday is a break from everyday activities, to vacate from work and home, either in our own countries or abroad. The primary purpose of a holiday is the

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opportunity to rest and recuperate, relax both physically and mentally, and to enjoy ourselves effortlessly. One-week getaways to sunny destinations are a terrific way to escape from the stress and mundanity of the daily grind, recharge our batteries and then return to the daily grind with replenished vitality. During these short breaks, the last thing we want is more stress induced by any potential setbacks to the itinerary.

On the other hand, the definition of travelling is going to a foreign place to see and experience new things. To have that extensive intake of new experiences, we must be open to them, and invite them. And it’s not just about seeing new things, but also about seeing things with an open mind and a fresh perspective. More than anything it comes down to our attitude and the reasons why we are going in the first place.

Real travel is about throwing ourselves into the unknown for a stimulating and heightened exposure to a country, its history and its people. It’s about straying from the beaten track and the tourist traps to immerse ourselves in different cultures, traditions, cuisines and lifestyles. Sometimes

To travel the world is a common goal for many, but how many people are actually travelling rather than just taking a holiday? How many people can truly call themselves travellers rather than holidaymakers?

HOLIDAYS AND WANDERLUST

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this can be challenging, or scary, as it means stepping out of our comfort zone. It means conforming to the local customs, using public transportation and learning a few key phrases of the native language. It means finding ourselves in perplexing situations and peculiar places, eating bizarre food, and witnessing ways of life that seem strange, and often the complete opposite of our own belief system. But isn't that what makes the world interesting?

So why do we do it? What is the reward for making all this effort? Why do we go out of our way to travel to strange, hot, humid, dusty, dirty, freezing or rainy places to taste weird local delicacies, put ourselves in unnerving — sometimes even dangerous — situations, dealing with jet lag, culture shock, a foreign language, countless hours on painfully uncomfortable transport, broken down buses, primitive accommodation, extremes in climate and altitude, and the all too common sicknesses that we might develop in these trying circumstances? The reward is education, and the gift is life itself. We might decide we like some of those peculiar foodstuffs. We will probably make some new friends. We will doubtless have some wonderful stories to tell, and we will definitely learn something. Our prize is self discovery,

personal growth and knowledge, because at the heart of our wanderlust is the hope that — freed of the ordinary, and alert and alive to even the most minuscule of things — what we will find in these foreign places might be revelatory enough to change us.

So, we have to agree that while holidays do have their place, pursuing our wanderlust and taking a holiday are two vastly different experiences. Sometimes our soul needs to travel and other times our body needs a rest. What is your preference? Do you prefer a week on a white sand beach with an ‘umbrella’ drink in hand? Or will you travel by public ferry, by bemo, by bus, by bicycle and by foot to the far flung reaches of the Indonesian archipelago — and beyond — in search of that Holy Grail?

"We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls." -Anaïs Nin-

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The Gilis of East Lombok

GILI KONDO, GILI BIDARI & GILI LAMPU

It’s difficult to get bored with beach life on northwest Lombok’s famed Gili Islands but sometimes a change of scenery does a world of good. There are dozens of ‘Gilis’ of various shapes and sizes dotted around Lombok’s coastline — the southwest Gili’s are beginning to make headlines too, but those in the East have steadfastly remained well off travellers’ radar.

For example there are three heavenly hideaways — no more than tiny specks located off the east coast in the Alas Strait — the thin channel of water separating Lombok and Sumbawa. Gili Kondo, Gili Bidari and Gili Lampu offer the last word in back to basics beach life with sublime white sand and world class coral reef snorkeling. These three islets are slowly gaining more visitors but even for laid back Lombok standards, it’s as tranquil as it gets.

The jumping off point for boats out to the islands is the district of Sambelia, served by outrigger boats mostly for snorkeling day trippers — there are only a handful of families who call these islands home, and most of these eke out a living on the water as fishermen. Getting across to meet the boats at Transat, Sambelia is very scenic two-hour drive from West Lombok passing rolling paddy fields and bustling market towns.

GILI KONDOMeasuring just 12 hectares in size, Gili Kondo proves the adage that great things come in small packages. The snorkeling here is immense with crystal clear turquoise waters and virtually untouched reefs teeming with small coral fish. A day spent here means a lazy walk around the coastline (it takes no more

than 20 minutes) swimming, a spot of fishing, snorkeling or simply getting horizontal on the sand. The island is managed by local tour company Perama so it’s not quite the castaway island it looks on first glance. There are a couple of bungalows and a restaurant but otherwise it still feels like a quintessential remote tropical paradise.

GILI BIDARIThis is a diminutive paradise island with soft white sand framed by deep blue, gently lapping waters. Again, there is superb shallow snorkeling to be had by the beach and it is easily circumnavigated on foot in around 15 minutes. Aside from a few fisherman’s huts there is little else here and outside of weekends and public holidays, expect to have the whole beach to yourself. For an adventurous overnighter, camping is permitted on the beach. When the tide is at its lowest it is also possible to walk 500 metres across to neighbouring Gili Kondo.

GILI LAMPUGili Lampu presumably gets its name from the small lighthouse which illuminates the darkness here and which reputedly dates back to the Japanese occupation in WW2. The island is surrounded by mangroves and has a very natural appeal. It is a quiet haven but can get flooded with local families during the Idul Fitri holidays — the fine sandy beaches and calm blue waters are just perfect for kids to splash around in. At most other times it is typically serene and uncrowded. Lampu also boasts the best diving on the east coast, with pristine coral reefs plunging down over 20 metres.

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Even to the more than three million people who live here, Lombok is alluringly mysterious. The interplay of landscape, seascape and climate creates ever changing vistas. In the same way that clouds are always different and the seas never the same, so the landscape seems to have a fluid dynamism that always offers something new: an unexpected vista, a mysterious mist-shrouded hillside, a particularly vibrant green hue in the rice fields.

It may be brightly sunny — indeed it mostly is, especially during the dry season — but all around there are mysterious clouds hiding things you know are there but see only rarely and maybe never at all..

The island’s dominant feature, the iconic, spiritual, towering Mt Rinjani, casts its magic spell over the landforms from its hiding place in its eternal clouds. The peak often may not be visible from the lowlands but everyone knows it’s there, a silent, hidden presence.

The mountain is mostly wreathed in the clouds created by its own unique weather system, which ignores the two seasons that affect Indonesia’s south-eastern archipelago. The mountain’s year-round rains feed the abundant

streams that water the lowlands and the rice fields that in turn dominate the landscape.

The natural forests of the foothills of the 3,726-metre volcano, Indonesia’s second highest, are sustained by assured and abundant rain. The forests, home to more than 900 species of trees, also act as a giant water reserve. Sometimes it doesn’t rain substantially in the lowlands for weeks or months during the dry season (May–October) but the rivers still run and the rice irrigation channels can be filled on demand.

So Rinjani is both a life-giver and a spiritual presence. It serves this spiritual purpose for both the majority Muslim population of Lombok and the minority Hindu community. The crater lake of Segara Anak is a sacred place of pilgrimage for people of both religions.

The mountain is the domain of gods and spirits whose presence enlivened the ancient peoples of the island. These long predate the arrival of Islam in the 16th century and the Majapahit Hinduism that preceded it. Balinese Hinduism in Lombok dates from the 17th century Karangasem and later Mataram kingdoms.

A UNIQUE SOCIETYVisitors immediately feel the special magic of Lombok. This is true whether the visitor is from somewhere else in Indonesia’s multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society or a foreign tourist. Climate, landscape, faith and history shape cultures everywhere in ways that are still only imperfectly understood. They’ve helped make Lombok’s Sasak culture unique.

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The rest of the island is a place of legend and traditional belief too.

The story of beautiful Princess Mandalika who, according to legend, sacrificed her life by jumping into the sea so that the warring kingdoms from which her princely suitors came would have nothing to fight over if she chose one of them as a husband, is celebrated in the annual Bau Nyale festival. The sea worms that appear on the island’s southern Indian Ocean coast around February each year are said to be the embodiment of the princess.

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Traditional handcrafts in Lombok are still generally items of practical use, such as many styles of weaving, basket-ware and pottery. But they have increasingly become highly valued collectors’ items. Today villages have developed their crafts into small-scale industries — textiles from Sukarara, pottery from Penujak and batik painting from Sade and Rembitan. Sasak culture emphasises family, kampung and clan life. Decision making at all three

levels is a collective process. The mosque is the centre of village government. Richly historic Sasak rituals draw heavily on Islam.

There are many colourful traditions. Take the local variant of stick-fighting for example. There’s plenty of spectacle in Peresean. Although it has been transformed from its practical fighting origins it is still a crucial part of Sasak culture and is accompanied by religious ritual, like most other events in Sasak life.

It is best seen by tourists at the annual Senggigi Festival and on other specially organized occasions but in the villages it is a way of life, as all true traditions should be.

Many local Sasak festivals centre on the rice harvest and have their own cultural traditions, including buffalo racing. Lebaran Topat is a unique Sasak family celebration after the end of Ramadhan and the feast of Eid al-Fitr (Idul Fitri in Bahasa Indonesia) each year.

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The indigenous Sasak people of Lombok are Malay, like so many other Indonesian ethnic groups. No one really knows where these original settlers came from or when, since relatively few anthropological or archaeological studies have been done but Sasak society has been around for centuries. It has built a quite distinct culture based on the subsistence farming that is still widely apparent today. What’s more, there are many intriguing cultural differences within Sasak culture.

The visitor will always find something new to experience, to observe, or to ask questions about.

In West Lombok and North Lombok, where most tourists are found, the influence of Balinese Hindu beliefs and society on Sasak culture is readily apparent. Most of Lombok’s Hindu population live in West Lombok and Mataram. These districts were most deeply influenced by the Balinese kingdoms of Karangasem and Mataram which ruled the island from the late 17th century until the Sasak revolt at the end of the 19th century.

The Dutch helped the Sasaks overthrow Balinese rule in 1894 and administered the island as colonial power until 1942 when the Japanese invaded during World War II.

The Balinese brought with them their already ancient subak irrigation system that takes water to the rice fields, helping to increase crop yields in Lombok and to build a more sustainable and economically sound agricultural economy.

Hinduism influenced Islamic practice in these areas — at Lingsar near Mataram there is a unique co-located mosque and Hindu temple that, according to historians, gave impetus to the creation of the Wetu Telu Islamic tradition centred on Bayan in North Lombok.

Lingsar is the venue of another unique sharing of heritage between Muslims and Hindus in Lombok. The annual Perang Topat (Rice War) has become a symbol of brotherhood and unity among residents of the two faiths. Topat, also known as ketupat, are parcels of rice cooked in coconut leaf.

For the ceremony, hundreds of young locals of both genders and even children are divided into two groups and positions, some at the Pura Gaduh Hindu Temple compound and others in front of the adjacent Kemaliq building which houses a mosque.

The object of the good-natured ceremony is to avoid being hit by topat thrown by the opposing side while “returning fire” with the rice parcels. The tradition has been celebrated for more than two centuries.

Perang Topat perhaps best illustrates the shared history and ideals of Lombok people. Despite the different religions there is a tangible sense of unity in the community, sharing a single Sasak culture and many similar traditions steeped in the past. Also, Sasaks of both religions are embracing modern innovation and are fashioning a new cosmopolitan way of life together as Lombok takes shape as a flourishing tourism centre.

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A SAILING ADVENTURE ABOARD THE TROPIC PRINCESS

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The late afternoon sun was casting strange shadows across the parched, angular hills, and there appeared to be little sign of life on the narrow beach that stretched the length of the wide bay in which we had moored. We were about to penetrate a remote island which, due its fearsome residents, had been a former place of banishment for transgressors of the law.

Yet, despite our trepidation, we disembarked and took sudden delight in the island’s raw energy, sharing just a little bit of the thrill that the early European naturalists must have experienced a century ago when they first stepped ashore.

And then we saw them!

Extraordinary footprints in the sand, showing clearly defined claw marks accompanied by the telltale tracks of a rear appendage, without doubt a carnivorous monster. The ranger who greeted us informed us that, yes, indeed there had been a Komodo dragon on this very beach only half an hour earlier. I followed its tracks down to the sea noting that it had turned around and gone back through the thorn trees into the scrub. Dare we intrude further into this mysterious territory?

We cautiously moved to the reception office to purchase our National Park entry tickets, and were then directed towards the rangers’ hut, where, at the base of the steps, we had our first encounter with one of the giant lizards. A massive scale-covered monitor with spiked claws, an armour-clad body, a snake-like head, and fierce jaws from which flicked a long, yellow, forked tongue. These are Indonesia’s living dinosaurs, and they deceptively bear a not uncommon resemblance to the geckoes that grace the walls of our tropical homes; but that’s where the similarity starts and ends.

Our guide, armed with a forked stick, led us inland; a hot and dry monsoon forest surrounded by open savannah grasslands. Timor deer and wild boar darted nervously through the prickly palms; prey to the dragons that have no enemies apart from their own kind. The reason that these primeval apex predators have survived unmolested for so long is attributed to the fact that the treacherous whirlpools and rip currents in the seas around Komodo and Rinca have ensured their isolated endurance in a habitat that is free from invaders.

Heading along the banks of a dry riverbed, we were accompanied by birdsong and chirruping cicadas. There was a sweet smell that we couldn’t identify; we observed strange yellow snails clinging to the bushes, sulphur-crested cockatoos, crab-eating macaques, a water buffalo at a drinking hole, butterflies, a flying lizard, jungle chickens, and a swarm of bees hanging in an angry mass from the bough of a tree. Our floral sightings, meanwhile, included rare orchids, lontar palms and kapok trees. With over 1,000 species of fish in the waters off the shores, and with wild horses on the island of Rinca, there is much more to this wildlife reserve than just dragons.

Nevertheless, to see more dragons was our objective and we soon found one under a thorn tree, guarding her nest from marauders — which are usually other dragons. Two metres in length, her menacing beady eyes regarded us as she stretched her neck, replenishing the folds in her thick loose skin. We saw another one a few minutes later; the most dangerous predatory lizards in existence; we had no desire to get too close, but it was a true privilege to see them in the wild.

I was on five-day voyage of adventure, cruising from Lombok to Flores aboard a 20-metre ‘phinisi’ sailing boat named ‘Smy.Tropic Princess’. This traditional wooden schooner

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has been extensively customised with a large saloon, air-conditioning, and four double bunk cabins to accommodate eight guests for live-aboard sailing expeditions (both private charters and scheduled programmes), complete with a captain, six experienced crew, and all meals and service provided. After Labuan Lombok we had left familiarity behind for the tranquility of the arid eastern Indonesian islands. Stopping first at Gili Kondo, and then at Satonda Island and Moyo Island off north Sumbawa, we had snorkelled, cast wishes into a magical volcanic lake, trekked to the Air Manis waterfalls, consumed fresh young coconut, observed brightly coloured houses on stilts, and photographed laughing children as they bathed with their water buffaloes in the river.

We had also stopped at Pantai Merah, Komodo’s famous ‘Red Beach’ to the east of the bay. My first impression was that it didn’t look particularly red, but on closer inspection I noticed that the fine, hourglass sand was mixed with minute particles of crimson coral, more concentrated in colour at the edge of the shoreline. The sea was cool and crystal clear, and under the surface the reef was teeming with psychedelic marine life and an extraordinary coral garden, as perfect as if it had been lovingly manicured by human hands. I snorkelled through clouds of ultraviolet fish daubed with splashes of luminous orange; I saw a blue-spotted stingray, an octopus, and a huge puffer fish skulking in the shadows. I gawped at markings reminiscent of wallpaper, soda bubbles, printed fabrics and traditional batik. I even saw a fish in a leopard-print coat and soon I began to spot the cleverly camouflaged creatures hiding in the reef crevices. Awestruck by the abundance of brilliance and life, I mused on how these denizens of the reef could be so vivid in their imagery. It was like looking through a kaleidoscope of incessantly changing patterns and colours; as if God had taken a paint brush, dipped it in a rainbow and splattered every living thing.

At the end of that wonderful day, as we watched the setting sun, we were once again accompanied by wildlife. Tropic Princess was already cruising east towards Rinca — our next destination — and four beautiful dolphins were cavorting alongside her prow, bobbing and weaving, like spirit guides in the bow wave.

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WWW.LOMBOKSAILING.COM

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This month My Lombok caught up with reggae singer Joe Mellow Mood, a popular resident of Gili Trawangan and regular performer at Sama Sama reggae bar. Originally from Mataram (Dasan Agung), Joe has lived and played in Lombok, Bali, Java and beyond. We asked him how it all began.

“It started as a hobby,” he said, “and then it became an addiction, and I realised that I really loved singing. When I was a little kid, I used to sing Quran every morning and afternoon, and it was then that I learned how to control my voice. Growing older, I realised that I loved singing and in order to earn money, I left Lombok to find a job as a musician in a more touristy area. And yes, I always play rhythm guitar on the stage. Generally I enjoy playing instruments, so if I hit the drums or play the bass, it sounds half way ok; but of course, my main talent and instrument is my voice! And yes I do write my own songs, it’s a great way to turn my adventures, my feelings and thoughts into something positive. All the songs on my albums are self written, but on the stage we perform a lot of cover songs as well.”

Back in 1997, Joe was singing at the well-known Apache reggae bar in Bali with a bunch of his local friends. In 2002 he moved to Jakarta in search of new adventures and to gain more experience as a musician. Soon he met the reggae band, ‘Tuff Gong,’ and joined them. “We played everywhere, in many bars and parks. We travelled to different islands such as Papua, Kalimantan and Sumatra.” At the end of 2009, Joe moved to Gili Trawangan, “Coz one of my Lombok friends invited me to sing here and then I decided to live on the island ’til now,” he said, “The first time I came here I had no band, so I contacted some of my village friends in Mataram and then I met them one by one. I explained to them that I really wanted to have a reggae band in Lombok, sooooo we made it. Compared to Jakarta it’s just so much more beautiful here and I enjoy the island life. Also I am way closer to my family, which allows me to visit them more often.” His favourite artist and inspiration is, of course, Bob Marley, “Coz all of his songs or lyrics are full of philosophy and meaning, and also his music is very unique and interesting. Watching live recordings of his concerts gives me goose bumps.”

Asked where he got such a great name, Joe replied, “Yes I love the name too, hehehe. Mellow Mood is the title of one of

Bob Marley’s songs, and I also love very much this song. It’s basically a tribute to Bobby, but to keep it a bit more personal, we changed it to Joe Mellow Mood. Joe stands for me as the lead singer and Mellow Mood stands for the rest of the band, and our fans call us JMM for short. Hendro the bass player grew up in the same area as me. Hendro’s friend Apel plays drums and Q-ting lead guitar. Beby is the talent on the keyboards, and last but not least, Getho from Flores plays percussion. We even have a fan club in Lombok called BaNged (bajang ngedis), which is great and we feel very honoured.” Joe has released two albums so far and is already working on a third one. His first release was with his band in Jakarta under the name ‘Joe de Wine’, and his second release is called ‘Lombok Holiday’, recorded with JMM.

Here at My Lombok we’d heard a rumour that Joe had done some recording in Switzerland, so we asked him if it was true, to which he replied, with a big grin, “Wrong information Bro, hehehe, I did not do any recording in Switzerland, I only went there to visit my girlfriend. I also learned snowboarding while I was there, which was good hahaha, and just once I had a jam session in a bar with some Swiss friends… yeah!”

Some of Joe’s female fans asked us to ask him what he likes to do in his spare time, and most importantly, is he single? “Sleep work, work, work, no no no! I do jogging up to the hill sometimes, play ping-pong little bit and write a song hehe. No I’m not married yet hahaha. I’m with my girlfriend since many years and I hope to marry her someday. Maybe your readers can help me to pray for it, to make it happen very soon hehehe.”

And then as fast as he breezed into the My Lombok office, Joe breezed out, “Oke Bro that’s all my answers… good luck! Have a good day so far. Yoomaaann….”

If you haven’t yet seen JMM perform, head on down to Sama Sama Reggae Bar on Gili Trawangan, where you can enjoy their energetic reggae music and happy vibes, with songs such as ‘Once Upon a Time,’ ‘Lombok Holiday,’ ‘Sound of Freedom,’ ‘Bajang Ngedis,’ ‘Talkin’ Blues,’ and ‘Simsalabim,’ to name but a few, performed four nights a week from Wednesday thru’Saturday from 9 pm ‘til 1 am, and until 4 am on Saturday nights.

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Over the course of three days in June, a total of 30 elderly Lombok residents with severe cataracts managed to regain their sight. There is a serious eyesight problem in Lombok where around 70% of people with cataract blindness live in poverty. The condition is fairly straight forward to treat but those who are most in need are usually least likely to have access to this kind of care.

The John Fawcett Foundation have been instrumental for over 23 years in treating blindness and providing eye healthcare for thousands of underprivileged people throughout Indonesia. The JFF has a 30-strong team of skilled nurses, doctors, technicians and administrators travelling across the islands with one of their mobile surgery units offering free eye consultations, glasses, medication and cataract surgery. A simple micro-surgery operation is performed by Australian-trained ophthalmologists to remove the damaged lens and replace it with a high quality intra-ocular lens.

At the recent three-day mission in West Lombok the JFF team examined 1,071 people, handed out 746 pairs of glasses, 428 eye drops and medication, and performed 30 cataract surgeries. The mission was kindly funded by the Australian Consulate through its Development Assistance Programme. More than 300 people were screened each day in two locations. They were each given a basic vision test with an eye chart, and for those where a problem was diagnosed, a more detailed eye examination was performed.

More serious cases were evaluated separately and these patients were tested for glaucoma and cataracts. For patients with cataracts that were operable, further testing for diabetes and blood pressure was carried out. In most cases an ophthalmologist performed the delicate yet quick cataract surgery the same day, often completing 10 – 15 operations each day.

TREATING PREVENTABLE BLINDNESS IN WEST LOMBOK

The John Fawcett Foundation

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Children under 15 years with cataract problems were not operated on as they required a general anaesthetic and were referred as patients of the Foundation’s partner hospital in Gerung. The operation itself is painless, but is a delicate procedure requiring skill and experience to carry out.

The cause of cataracts are numerous and often it is genetic. A cataract can also develop over time after an eye trauma. A healthy diet can help avoid cataracts forming, and diabetes, sunlight overexposure and prolonged dehydration are major causes of the condition. Essentially most non-genetic cataracts can be prevented with awareness and education.

Indonesia has one of the world’s highest rates of blindness in the world with around 1.5 percent of the population (over 3.6 million people) with reduced sight and up to three million people in Indonesia blinded by cataracts. Many of these could have their eyesight restored with a simple cataract operation, but keeping all five of its mobile eye clinics on the road at once requires extensive funding. The Foundation says it could screen over 100,000 people a year with full funding.

Since 1991, the JFF Sight Restoration & Blindness Prevention Programme has screened 790,114 adults and school children, and in 2013, helped over 20,000 people on Lombok.

The Foundation is seeking new donors to help sponsor mobile eye clinics in Indonesia. It says a mobile clinic could visit a village and screen up to 500 people for a donation of just $2,000, which includes all costs for screening, staff expenses, eye glasses and medication, and surgery and outpatient care for up to 10 adult patients. More information about the Foundation’s work can be seen at www.balieye.org.

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VintageDeliveryOne of Coco Chanel's best remembered quotes is "Fashion changes, but style endures," and judging from this collection of vintage looks from Casa Vintage, she was absolutely right.

PHOTOGRAPHYANTON

MODELEMILIA @BALI STARZ

HAIR & MAKEUPDEBI

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIESCASA VINTAGE

LOCATIONTUGU HOTEL LOMBOK

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PHOTOGRAPHYANTON

MODELEMILIA @BALI STARZ

HAIR & MAKEUPDEBI

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIESCASA VINTAGE

LOCATIONTUGU HOTEL LOMBOK

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coconut.

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THE ASTONISHING HEALING POWERS OF THE COCONUT

The coconut is considered to be one of the most treasured foods of all time. For thousands of years, in the places where the coconut palm grows, people have revered it as a valuable source of both food and medicine.

Rich in natural sugar, fibre, proteins, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, the coconut provides a highly nutritious source of meat, juice, milk and oil. In traditional medicine, it has long been recognised as a top immune booster, antifungal, antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial remedy, and is used to treat a huge variety of health problems including abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, coughs, dysentery, earache, fevers, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rashes, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throats, swelling, toothache, tuberculosis, tumours, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomachs and wounds. In more recent times, neurological and cardiac diseases have been added to this list including: epilepsy, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, motor neurone disease, stroke, narcolepsy, brain trauma and brain cancer. The coconut can be used to lower cholesterol, improve digestion, ward off wrinkles, stabilise glucose levels, fight off viruses, build cells, regulate hormones, increase thyroid production, lose weight, increase metabolism, fight infections, stave off memory loss and kill bacteria.

COCONUT OILWhile many of the coconut’s health benefits are due to its fibre and nutritional content, it is the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine. Coconut oil is the most readily digested of all the fats used in the world. It is therefore considered the best and safest oil to use for cooking, and is even superior to extra virgin olive oil when it comes to giving the body what it needs for optimum health. Unlike other fats and oils that we typically use for cooking, coconut oil does not form polymerised oils or dangerous trans-fatty-acids in our bodies, which can raise our cholesterol levels, clog our arteries and even make our skin sag and wrinkle.

Coconut oil also makes a superb topical application that can help to naturally rid the skin of dangerous toxins. It gives the skin the perfect mix of hydration and antioxidants that it needs to stay healthy, smooth and younger-looking for longer. It acts as an effective moisturiser on all types of skin, and is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking, and helping in the treatment of various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and skin infections. For that exact reason, coconut oil forms the base ingredient of many soaps and skin care products, as well as hair care products due to the oil’s nourishing properties, which help in the healthy growth of hair and are highly effective in reducing protein loss. Another great benefit of coconut oil is in protecting our teeth from the bacteria that can cause cavities and disease. Simply rubbing a little fresh coconut oil on your gums and teeth can keep them stronger and healthier than virtually any other preventative dental treatment.

Most people don’t realise that coconut oil can actually help us to lose weight. This is because it contains short and medium-chain fatty acids; it is easy to digest; and it helps in the healthy functioning of the thyroid and endocrine system. Furthermore, it increases the body’s metabolic rate by removing stress on the pancreas, thus burning more energy.

Coconut oil also strengthens the immune system because it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which research has supported as an effective way to deal with the viruses and bacteria that cause diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV.

Coconut oil can be purchased in various forms, and, of these, virgin coconut oil is probably the most respected and trusted. Derived from the milk obtained from the fresh coconut meat by processes that include fermentation, centrifugal separation and enzyme action, care is taken to use as little heat as possible in the extraction of this oil. Produced in this way, the oil tastes and smells the best and is laden with antioxidants and medium chain fatty acids. It also has remarkable anti-microbial properties.

COCONUT WATERThe coconut is a natural water filter. It takes almost nine months for a coconut to filter every quart of water stored within its shell. This makes the resulting coconut water completely pure and sterile, which is one reason why it can be used for blood transfusions. In fact, coconuts were used extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Since blood plasma supplies were scarce, it was very common for medics to siphon pure coconut water from young coconuts to be used as emergency plasma transfusions for soldiers who were injured, and it was suitable for people of all blood types. Another benefit of coconut water is the fact that it has the highest concentration of electrolytes than anything else found in nature. This makes it an excellent source of hydration and an important treatment for acute diarrhea in the developing world.

COCONUT CREAMThe best skin treatment product one can use to achieve flawless skin may quite possibly be coconut cream. Unlike traditional skin creams which can actually introduce fats and oils to the skin that will break it down over time, making it look older, creams derived from the coconut can actually replenish the skin, giving it a more youthful and healthy glow than most other skin care products on the market.

NOT A NUTClassed as a fruit and frequently confused for being a nut, the coconut is actually a one-seeded ‘drupe.’ Palm trees produce coconuts up to 13 times a year and although it takes a year for the coconuts to mature, a fully blossomed tree can produce between 60-180 coconuts in a single harvest.

WATCH YOUR HEAD!On a final note, despite all the amazing health benefits, coconuts can kill. Allegedly, as many as 150 people worldwide die each year from falling coconuts!

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EXECUTIVE CHEF OF SHERATON HOTEL LOMBOK

NUNKOO SUTTYAWAN

Mr Nunkoo Suttyawan has fulfilled the role of Executive Chef at Sheraton Lombok for the last year and a half, having previously worked at Le Meridian in his homeland of Mauritius, for the Sun Princess Cruise Line, and at W Hotel in both Qatar and Puerto Rico. My Lombok grabbed a few minutes out of this happy chef’s busy day to find out what makes him tick.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a chef, and why? I have always wanted to be chef; my big brother is a chef. All my family works in the hotel industry. I started as a commis chef at a cooking school in Mauritius.

What attracted you to Lombok?I wanted to come here to learn how to cook Indonesian food, also for a different experience, and it was my first position as an Executive Chef.

Describe a typical dayWake up and start work at 7:30 am to get the breakfast buffet ready. At 11:00 am, we then clear the breakfast buffet and get the restaurant ready for lunch and prepare lunch. In the afternoon we prepare the dinner. We have a restaurant that serves a la carte and four times a week we do a buffet dinner. On Friday mornings I wake up at 2:30 am to go to Tanjung Luar Fish Market to buy the fish for the seafood buffet that we have on a Saturday night. We also arrange a cooking class two or three times a week to teach all the staff in the kitchen how to cook and prepare the different dishes. We currently have 70 staff in the kitchen.

What do you love most about your profession? To see the guests enjoy their food. I love to see the guests happy and if they have a good breakfast it makes them happy for the rest of the day, they all seem to really enjoy the breakfast we serve at Sheraton.

What is best about being a chef in Lombok?Learning to cook Indonesian food. I have learned to cook Ayam Taliwang and we now offer an Ayam Taliwang Pizza and also a Rinjani Volcano Pizza. The guests really like these.

What is the biggest challenge in your job?Getting the right ingredients / right products to be able to cook the dishes with the best flavours. Sometimes the ingredients are not available and other times it can take a few days to get them to Lombok.

Your cooking inspiration? Spices — I like all the different flavours one gets from cooking with spices.

Sum up your cooking style in a few words.I cook French, Indian, Arabic, Chinese and I’m now learning to cook Indonesian.

Tell us more about your concept for your themed buffets at the Sheraton? NS: At Bawang Putih Grill we do a theme night four times a week: Indonesian Flavour Buffet — Tuesday Night; Touch of Colour Buffet — Wednesday Night — European; Spice Night Buffet — Friday Night — Arabic and Indian; Seafood Buffet — Saturday Night.

Which appears to be the guests’ favourite? The Indonesian buffet served on a Tuesday as we have many Australians staying at the hotel and they like to try the Indonesian food. There is also Indonesian dancing, which they can enjoy watching while eating their dinner. The seafood buffet served on a Saturday night is the next favourite buffet.

I’ve heard that your breakfasts are really good, what are your breakfast specialties? We provide our guests with a lot of choice for breakfast to keep the whole family happy. If you start your day with a good breakfast, the rest of the day will be good. We provide fresh fruit, pancakes, we have an omelette section, and an Indonesian corner. We also have a juice-maker so that guests can make their own fresh juices and we EVEN have a chocolate fountain for the kids and an ice-cream machine.

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Ayam Taliwang

What is your ‘must have’ cooking ingredient? Lemon salt and dry lemon, the flavours from these two ingredients are unreal.

What kitchen tool could you not do without?My knives — No-one is allowed to use them. They are only for me.

What is your idea of a great meal or dining experience? Having tasty food. The presentation must be good, the atmosphere must be right, and it’s nice to have a chef’s recommendation.

Do you ever cook at home?No

Are you an adventurous eater? Are there any foods you won't eat or even try?I eat everything; well I try everything at least once.

Any tips for budding chefs?Be hygienic, be enthusiastic and learn from your teachers.

Who is your favourite celebrity chef? And why?Alain Ducasse, — his cooking is amazing. He is an incredible teacher who wants to share his knowledge and he always listens and gives both positive and negative feedback so that one can improve from his teaching.

Being an executive chef is a demanding role; do you have time for a personal life? Yes, sometimes. I have two 2 kids aged 10 and 8, and in my spare time I like to fish.

INGREDIENTS1 free-range chicken ( weighing about 1kg )100 ml oil1 lime or lemon, half, use the juice

SPICE FOR THE PASTE12 large red chillies, de-seeded, chopped3 -5 small red chillies / bird chillies ( if you like it hot)10 shalllots, chopped5 cloves garlic, chopped2 tomatoes, chopped4 cm kencur (lesser Galangal) or 1 tsp kencur powder/dried kencur (optional)250 gr palm sugar1/4 tsp roasted dried shrimp paste / terasi (optional)2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS• Cut chicken in half lengthwise along breastbone, leave the backbone uncut.• Turn chicken over and using the palm of your hand, press down on the center of the backbone until you hear a crack and the chicken is flattened.• Put all ingredients for the paste in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. (If necessary add a little bit oil to help the blending process).• Heat 50 ml oil in a wok or largest saucepan. (Don't add oil if already added in a blender).• Stir fry the paste & stirring all the time until fragrant.• Adjust the heat into medium and continue to simmer for about 20 – 30 minutes until the paste becomes thick & oily. (Be careful with your hands when you fry it, because the spice sauce bubbles).• Meanwhile prepare the charcoal for Grilled Chicken, otherwise preheat oven to 200°C for roasted one.• Take the sauce from the stove. Add lime juice & mix well.• Adjust the seasoning; if necessary add salt or sugar to taste.• Coat the chicken with half amount of the paste.• Put the chicken in a Pyrex Glass; roast the backside for 30 minutes.• Turn the chicken around, rub the remaining paste on it & continue roasting for another 30 minutes.

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North Lombok’s Sire beach has become hot property in recent times with a plethora of new build luxe villas taking shape along the coast. Villa Anandita was one of the early pioneers in the area and still remains the standard with which all others look to emulate. It’s in a perfect photogenic spot. It boasts an absolute beachfront land area measuring 1,500 sq m which is an all too rare pleasure nowadays, and the ingenious configuration used only adds to the sense of space. A private driveway leads to the main villa pavilion and beyond, past a lily pond to separate detached buildings each housing one of the four bedroom suites. The emerald green lawns wind around soaring coconut palms and stretch all the way down to a picture-perfect white sand beach, a quiet spot which is effectively your very own private beachfront. The feeling of immense space is all-consuming at Villa Anandita, yet despite the size, tall palm trees abound offering many private shady spots, half concealed by tropical plants and complemented by cool ocean breezes. Sitting inviting just above the water line is a large bale, perfect for private moments or lingering on hot afternoons with a good book, a cool cocktail or massage.

VILLA ANANDITA

Each of the four bedroom suites are housed in separate pavilions well spread out amongst the greenery, offering an individual sanctuary, yet light, airy and inviting. Bold yet tasteful colour schemes offer a contrasting palette with traditional wood furnishings. Dark blue, orange and deep red are used to give a very contemporary feel and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors ensure plenty of natural sunlight streams in. Like the bedrooms, each spacious ensuite has its own individual style with three of the four bathrooms boasting large soaking tubs.

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The separate dining pavilion has a soaring roof and opens out on all sides, featuring an elaborate dining table for 12 as its centerpiece. It is furnished with Buddhist works of art and intricate fretwork timber paneling. It leads to a private fully equipped kitchen with a built-in breakfast bar for a more casual dining vibe.

The social core of the villa is the main lounge/living room just metres from the inviting pool and sun deck. Expansive and open plan, there are three distinctive, integrated areas within that blend seamlessly as a whole. There is a formal sitting area in front of a flat screen TV–DVD player, while the mid-section has a more playful, casual look. The lounge is completed with a billiard table and guest washroom. Aside from barefoot strolls along the sand, the social focus of Anandita by day generally takes place around the multi-tiered pool deck with an inviting lagoon style pool surrounded by lush tropical flowers and palms. It is also a photogenic spot for casual dining or socializing after dark too.

Villa Anandita provides a dedicated team of 15 on-site staff including a full-time villa manager, chef and housekeeping all working in the background discreetly but ready to assist or join in the fun with villa guests at a moment’s notice. This multi-tasking team can seamlessly put together a private barbecue or romantic alfresco dinner, lead a trip along the coast by kayak, or arrange for pampering spa treatments. With 1,500 sq m of gardens at your disposal bordered by a picture perfect beach, it’s also a great spot for a wedding celebration or private function, which can be ably coordinated by the villa staff.

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For more information, please contact us on:

E-mail : residencelombok@gmail.com Phone : +62 (0) 857 3807 8720

Australian designed, built, decorated and managed to meet the highest international expectations

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horoscopeofthemonth

ASTROLOGY — AUGUST 2014

Aries (March 21–April 19)Your ability to connect with people and impress them is astounding. So is your natural talent to annoy the boss. You can be too impulsive and inclined to do things your way. Go for it anyway. But the potential to do great things is present in this month’s stars. Avoid the enticements of shortcuts, however. Keep your dealings with others above board.

Taurus (April 20–May 20)Relations with others this month may be difficult. Many people want you to cater to their needs, something you don’t exactly relish. You may find yourself in the situation of suffering fools not so gladly. The best thing you can do is not get caught up in the intrigues and schemes of others. Avoid gossip at all costs. Gemini (May 21–June 20)Other people seem to make you the focus of their schemes though you don’t see this clearly. Social Gemini doesn’t like to believe the worst in people. However, this month brings criticism from an unlikely source. It is important to realize that this person has very little power to do real damage, so do your best to ignore him or her. Get away on a short jaunt for fun.

Cancer (June 21–July 22)This is an excellent time for home improvement projects as long as you keep the budget tight. You have a knack for coming up with creative solutions that don’t break the bank. Young people, especially. like to provide input as well. Avoid doing anything impulsive and be careful in motion and you’ll have a fabulous month.

Sagittarius (November 22–December 21)Good times follow you because as usual you are the life of the party. As friends gather round you are likely to do anything. So why shouldn’t you spend as much time as possible enjoying the high life? Maybe it is because you aren’t looking reality square in the face. Look past your present penchant for pleasure and take care of business.

Capricorn (December 22–January 19)Many rely on you this month. People look to you as a source of strength. Your natural authority provides guidance during tense situations. Your ability to keep a clear head is what keeps people from doing foolish things. You may feel, however, unappreciated in your current role. It’s more important to do a job well than to get praise for it.

Aquarius (January 20–February 18)The Sun in Leo this month is the low point of your yearly cycle. It’s easy to feel like everyone is having fun but you. An overload of responsibility is getting you down, letting you feel like you are doing all the work yourself. That just may be the case, dear Waterbearer. But there is no better person to handle these duties. Keep your sites on your goals.

Pisces (February 19–March 20)Other people accuse you of woolgathering. You prefer to think of it as reaching into the deeps of the Universe for creative inspiration. This month you have the opportunity to impress people in authority with your ideas. Don’t waste you time on trying to catch the attention of people who seem like they know something, but don’t.

Leo (July 23–August 22)Your friends and supporter rally around you this month. You feel like destiny is upon you. Powerful people are watching your efforts. Your ability to bring out the talents of other is your greatest strength right now. Take some time out to do something special with loved one. If you invest money short-term in products that have to do with the sun you’ll come out ahead.

Virgo (August 23–September 22)Your rapport with young people can improve this month. If can handle difficult situations with children efficiently, though don’t get caught in the trap of endlessly criticizing their behavior. Try to view other people’s misbehavior as steps along the learning curve. People in authority are supportive. If you need a favor from a boss, just ask.

Libra (September 23–October 22)Nothing you seem to do is right. Other people stress out over your inability to satisfy their demands. Libra likes nothing more than for everyone to get along. It seems unfair all this is heaped on you. Use your considerable diplomatic skills and powers of persuasion. In other words, walk softly, carry a big stick but don’t use it. Scorpio (October 23–November 21)Unusual situations and people from the past test your resolve. You want to do things your way, but others want to go their own way. Sometimes, you like to control things too much, Scorpio. You may be right about the correct strategy to handle difficult situations. However, trying to control the outcome will do more harm than good. Hang onto your cash.

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In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

- Buddha

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Lombok’s time is here and now, having finally stepped out of Bali’s shadow, showcasing to the world its unique mix of adventure, pristine natural scenery and captivating art and culture. A new airport, international yacht marina and improved roads have made travel to and within Lombok much easier, but it is its untamed natural beauty and traditional charm that captivates. It is an adventure-seeker’s paradise, home to world-class scuba diving, surfing and mountain climbing yet travellers looking for a cosmopolitan beach lifestyle and luxury creature comforts will not be short of options. Experience the best of Lombok with these recommended highlights and hidden gems:

Senggigi and The West CoastSenggigi, just a short drive from the island capital Mataram is Lombok’s premier beach resort, extending along a series of sweeping bays. The main beach strip is fringed by a wide expanse of sand framed nightly by spectacular ocean sunsets. It is a fairly spread out beach town that rarely feels overcrowded yet there is a broad variety of places to stay, eat and socialise. There is a vibrant expat community here with lots of opportunity for sports and leisure, business networking and searching out those hard to find imported goods. Senggigi is the best place to arrange days out and guided trips to other parts of Lombok. The beach road then winds its way north to upmarket Mangsit, dotted with hip boutique hotels and villas among some of west Lombok’s most captivating scenery. In all, the Senggigi area stretches for almost 10 km along the west coast, and away from the main tourist centre, comprises numerous palm fringed beaches dotted with colourful fishing boats.

Gili IslandsA trio of tiny tropical islands off the northwest coast, known simply as ‘the Gilis’ are the go-to place for laid-back island life and the simple pleasures of sun, sea and superb scuba diving. Each of these three islands has its own distinctive atmosphere; the smallest is Gili Meno, a peaceful tropical island haven with few distractions other than deserted white sand beaches and a couple of chilled out beach bars. Legendary ‘party island’ Gili Trawangan is largest and most cosmopolitan of the Gili Islands with no shortage of swanky boutique villas, diverse dining and plenty of action after dark. Gili Air, located closest to the Lombok mainland, sits somewhere in the middle of these two extremes and has the most authentic local atmosphere. The enduring appeal of the Gili Islands is the refreshing absence of any motorised transport making for a pleasant alternative to Bali’s congested beach resorts. Scuba diving is still the main draw and it is one of Asia’s top spots to learn the basics and get qualified. For landlubbers, there are few better places to get horizontal on a tropical beach and soak up the unique island vibe.

Kuta and South LombokLike its namesake in Bali, Kuta Lombok is synonymous with world-class waves but thankfully without the hassle of 24/7 traffic and infuriating beach hawkers. In fact, Lombok’s south coast surf breaks are more than a match for the best in Bali, and savvy surfers are heading here to enjoy miles of uncrowded, adrenaline-fuelled waves. Kuta, invitingly close to Lombok’s new international airport, is the main tourist hub yet remains a fairly tranquil tropical haven favoured by both surfers and adventurous families. It makes for a great base for exploring the rugged southern coastline dotted with numerous breathtaking beaches. Scenic highlights include up-and-coming Tanjung A’an, Gerupak and isolated Ekas Bay.

The SouthwestLombok’s ruggedly beautiful southwest peninsular is largely unexplored by visitors but is now getting serious recognition with the discovery of superb offshore scuba diving and miles of deserted beaches. The main gateway is Sekotong Bay, located just south of Lombok’s main ferry port Lembar and is the jumping off point for Lombok’s ‘Secret Gilis.’ These small offshore islands feature pristine coral reefs and idyllic tropical beaches for a real castaway experience. Heading south, the coastal road winds its way past tiny fishing communities and secluded bays all the way to the tip of the peninsular where the legendary surf breaks of Bangko Bangko (Desert Point) are found — rated among the best in the world.

Mount RinjaniFor an alternative to surf, scuba and sandy beaches, a trek up the immense Rinjani volcano is hard to beat. At over 3,700 meters, this is Indonesia’s second highest volcano and makes for challenging 3–4 day trek but the views are definitely worth all the effort. The mountain dominates much of north Lombok and the caldera alone covers a mind-boggling 50 square kilometres. Most climbers only go as far as the crater rim which offers vertigo-inducing views down into the volcanic lake but the extra effort to get to the summit will be rewarded with views as far as Java and eastwards across to the island of Sumbawa. If this all sounds too arduous for comfort, the mountain’s foothills offer a wealth of leisurely hiking opportunities. Head to Senaru village for easy-going walks through remote weaving villages and dense jungle to uncover a succession of scenic waterfalls.

This is Lombok!

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EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Ambulance Phone: 0370 623 489 Emergency call: 118 Fire Brigade Phone: 0370 672 013 Emergency call: 113Lombok PoliceJl. Gajah Mada No7, Ampenan Phone: 0370 693 110 Emergency call: 110Tourist Police Senggigi Jl. Raya Senggigi km 1Phone: 0370 632 733

HOSPITALS

Harapan Keluarga Jl. Ahmad Yani, SelagalasPhone: 0370 617 7000/617 7009Risa Sentra MedikaJl. Pejanggik No.115, Cakranegara Phone: 0370 625 560New Mataram Public Hospital Jl. Bung Karno No.1, Mataram Phone: 0370 645 045Mataram Public HospitalJl. Pejanggik No.6, Mataram Phone: 0370 623 498Siti Fajar Moslem HospitalJl. Panca Warga, MataramPhone: 0370 623 498Anthonius Catholic HospitalJl. Koperasi, AmpenanPhone: 0370 621 397Police HospitalJl. Langko No.54, Ampenan Phone: 0370 633 701Army HospitalJl. HOS Cokroaminoto No.11, Mataram Phone: 0370 621 420Central Lombok Public Hospital Jl. Jen Basuki Rachmat, Praya Phone: 0370 654 007East Lombok Public Hospital Jl. Prof M. Yamin No.55, SelongPhone: 0376 216 80

HEALTH CLINICS

Biomedika ClinicJl. Bung Karno No.143, Mataram Phone: 0370 645 137Medika Husada Clinic Jl. Raya SenggigiPhone: 0370 664 480Sengiggi Beach Hotel ClinicPhone: 0370 693 210Klinik ProdiaJalan Pejanggik No.107, Mataram Phone: 0370 635 010

Hotel Villa Ombak ClinicGili Trawangan Phone: 0370 642 336Jolie Sourire Dental Care Mataram MallJl. Pejanggik, Mataram Phone: 0370 668 1797

PHARMACIES

Guardian Pharmacy Mataram MallJl. Pejanggik, Mataram Phone: 0370 629 921Kimia FarmaJl. Sriwijaya No.295, Mataram Phone: 0370 633 211Jl. Pejanggik No.48, MataramPhone: 0370 638 502Jl. Catur Warga, MataramPhone: 0370 634 774Jl. M. Yamin No.155 Selong, East LombokPhone: 0376 220 51

TAXI Bluebird TaxisPhone: 0370 627 000Express TaxisPhone: 0370 635 968Narmada Trans TaxiPhone: 0370 702 5333

IMMIGRATION OFFICE

Department of ImmigrationJl. Udayana, MataramPhone: 0370 632 520

POST OFFICES Central Post OfficeJl. Sriwijaya, MataramPhone: 0370 632 645Jl. Langko, AmpenanPhone: 0370 631 642Jl. Raya SenggigiPhone: 0370 693 711

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Nusa AlamJl. Pantai Meninting Phone: 0370 647 514

AIRLINE SALES OFFICES Silk Air Lombok Raya Hotel Jl. Panca Usaha No.11, Mataram Phone: 0370 628 254Garuda IndonesiaJl. Majapahit No. 2, Ampenanphone: 0370 642303/649100

Lion AirJl. Sriwijaya No.81, MataramPhone: 0370 629 111Merpati Nusantara AirlinesJl. Pejanggik No.69, MataramPhone: 0370 636 745TransNusaJl. Panca Usaha No.28, MataramPhone: 0370 624 555

CAR RENTAL COMPANIES

Lombok Rent CarJl. Raya Senggigi Km 12, Senggigi Phone: 0370 667 7887

FREIGHT/COURIER COMPANIES TikiJl. Anyelir No. 1, MataramPhone: 0370 633 014 DHLJl. Hos CokroaminotoNo.53G, MataramPhone: 0370 639 400

PUBLIC UTILITIES

Electricity (PLN) Jl. Langko No. 25, AmpenanPhone: 0370 632 182 Jl. Raya SengiggiPhone: 0370 693 535Water (PDAM)Jl. Pendidikan No.29, MataramPhone: 0370 632 510Jl. Raya SengiggiPhone: 0370 693 886

CHURCH SERVICES

Bethany Mataram ChurchJl. I Gusti Ketut Jelantik GosaNo.23, MataramPhone: 0370 625 956HKBP Mataram ChurchJl. Gili Air No.4, MataramPhone: 0370 632 924Kristen Tuhan ChurchJl. Ekas No.47, MataramPhone: 0370 621 811Masehi Advent H7 ChurchJl. Kom L Yos Sudarso No.16, MataramPhone: 0370 638 500Pantekosta ChurchJl. Pariwisata No.4, MataramPhone: 0370 631 219Katholik Church Jl. Majapahit No.10, MataramPhone: 0370 634 397

CONSULATES IN BALI

Australia (Also consular service for Canada and New Zealand nationals)Jalan Tantular No. 32, Renon, Denpasar Phone: 0361 241 118

Brazil Jl. Raya Legian No.186, KutaPhone: 0361 757 775Czech Republic Jalan Pengembak No.17, SanurPhone: 0361 286 465DenmarkJl. By Pass Ngurah Rai–PemoganNo. 852, Denpasar Phone: 0361 821 6979FranceJl.Mertasari Gg. II No.8, Sanur Phone: 0361 285 485Germany Jl. Pantai Karang No.17, SanurPhone: 0361 288 535Italy Lotus Enterprise BuildingJl. By Pass Ngurah Rai, JimbaranPhone: 0361 701 005India Jl. Raya Puputan No.42, Renon, DenpasarPhone: 0361 241 987JapanJl. Raya Puputan No.170, Renon, DenpasarPhone: 0361 227 628Mexico Jl.Prof. Moh. Yamin No.1, Renon, DenpasarPhone: 0361 223 266NetherlandsJl.Raya Kuta No.127, KutaPhone: 0361 761 502NorwaySegara Village HotelJl. Segara Ayu, SanurPhone: 0361 282 223RussiaBali Kencana Resort IIBlock Cendrawasih No.18, Ungasan Phone: 0361 279 1560Spain Kompleks Istana Kuta GaleriaBlok Valet 2, No. 1 Jl.Patih Jelantik, Kuta Phone: 0361 769 286Sweden & FinlandJl. Segara Ayu No.2, SanurPhone: 0361 282 223Switzerland Kompleks Istana Kuta GaleriaBlok Valet 2 No.12Jl. Patih Jelantik, KutaPhone: 0361 751 735United KingdomJl. Tirta Nadi No.20, SanurPhone: 0361 270 601United States of AmericaJl. Hayam Wuruk No.188, Denpasar Phone: 0361 233 605

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

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