 Lombok - a spicy little island next to Bali!
Lombok is the Indonesian name for chili pepper, and Lombok is about three-quarters the size of Bali. Lombok is
only 70 kilometers east of Bali and is separated from it by the
ecologically significant Wallace Line (the Wallace Line is the line
of demarcation, separating Equatorial Asia from Marsupial Australia,
which marks vast and immediately noticeable changes in the flora
and fauna of Bali).
Lombok
lies as well only 375km south of the equator. Therefore the weather
is tropical. Days are almost universally 12 hours long; sunrise
is approximately at 6:20 a.m., sunset at 6:30 p.m. depending on
the time of year. The average daytime temperature is between 27°
C to 30° C (80° F to 90° F) along the western coastal
area (the main tourist venue). The average inland temperature is
29° C to 34° C. And if you plan to trek onto Mt. Rinjani
bring a sweater along - with 3,726 meters it is Indonesia's second
highest mountain and it gets surprisingly cold up there.
Lombok's
tropical monsoon climate has two distinct seasons: dry (March to October)
and wet (November to March). Monsoon refers to the wind, not to the
rain. However even in the wet monsoon season the rain tends to be
short-lived and localized.
The
majority of Lombok's population is Sasak. No one really seems to
know for sure where the Sasak people originate from - some believe
from India due to their darker complexions and curlier hair. However,
many believe that there was an influx of immigrants to Lombok from
Java some time in the 14th century following the collapse of the
Hindu Majapahit when the Islam spread eastwards from Sumatra to
Java. Most Sasak today practice their own local interpretation of
Islam that has elements of Hinduism and indigenous Wetu Telu beliefs
mixed in. Almost ironically Islam was introduced to Lombok through
the spice trade by the Bugis' traders from Makassar when the Hindu
Majapahit was controlling most of Indonesia.
The
Dutch arrived and colonized the eastern part of Lombok in the 17th
century, leaving the western part of the island to the Balinese
until 1894, when the Dutch took over the entire island. However,
while the Balinese ruled they put in a lot of effort to create another
"Bali", building numberless temples and water palaces
and introducing their particular brand of Hinduism. Even today the
most interesting tourist sites were built by the Balinese. Visitors
to Mataram, Cakranegara, Ampenan and Senggigi in the western-most
portion of Lombok may be forgiven if they think that Lombok and
Bali are similar. However, when going into the interior the similarities
end.
 Lombok Etiquette...
Cultural
etiquette has been described as the unspoken but assumed behavior
that conveys politeness. Therefore it is important that you
take the time to learn about and follow "local etiquette".
Also, for whatever reason, people on Lombok do not seem to be
as obliging by nature (often taken as not as friendly) as Balinese
and it takes more time to get to know them.
This means that on Lombok there are a few specific rules that
visitors should be sure to know about and follow. Never hand
anything to an Indonesian with your left hand. As in most Islamic
countries the left hand is considered "unclean" and
thus insulting. If this makes the action somewhat cumbersome
by having to change hands, take the time to do it anyway. Handshaking
is customary for both men and women on introduction and greeting.
Indonesians will frequently touch their chest with one or both
hands after shaking hands as a sign of sincerity. There are
a few differences in the use of hands and feet for indicating
actions or getting attention. The proper way to summon someone
is to use one of the Indonesian words Pak or Mas, (for men)
and Bu or Mbak (for women) and make a scooping motion towards
you with your hand, palm facing down. Crooking the index finger,
as it is common in the West, is not polite here. Be also aware
of where & how you position your feet. Exposing the sole
of your feet is considered as impolite as pointing with your
foot to indicate an object. Shoes should be removed when entering
mosques or, usually, when entering someone's home. If you are
unsure, just ask
.
Women
should avoid wearing halter tops or shorts as well as tight
fitting or revealing clothes in public - especially outside
the tourist areas.
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