 Lombok - Health...
Malaria
does exist on Lombok but it is generally not a problem. But IF you
are sleeping in the open air, use mosquito repellent and a mosquito
net. For additional information there's a list of hospitals and
clinics in the emergency numbers section. Click
here.
Additional
information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. Phone the CDC international travellers'
hotline at (404) 332-4559 or visit the CDC malaria
info
A
few other points: Drink plenty of fluid (water and fruit juices)
to avoid dehydration. Drink bottled water ONLY. Even in hotels
it is best not to drink straight from the tap. Ice in drinks,
however, is not a problem. Use common sense when choosing a place
to eat. Eat in established restaurants that are clean and well
patronized. If you are crazy about trying the hawkers in the street
stick to those not serving meat unless your system is already
well adjusted.
If
you are using prescription drugs bring a sufficient supply. Pharmacies
(apotiks) often can fulfil a prescription but the dosage may not
be quite the same as your doctor has prescribed. Promptly take
care of any cuts or burns - do not risk infection in this heat
and humidity. If you are sleeping in the open air, use mosquito
repellent and a mosquito net.
 Exchange...
You can exchange most major world currencies (cash or
traveller's cheques) easily into the local currency, the Indonesian
Rupiah. All hotels offer currency exchange but at less favorable
exchange rates. Or - and this our choice - go to a branch office
of one of the local banks. It is
also better to change your money in advance, if you plan visiting
south, central or east Lombok as there are neither
money changers nor creditcards payments available!
In tourist areas (Senggigi or Gili Trawangan) and in the capital Mataram there
are several "authorised" money changers available. If
you choose to deal with a money changer - here are a couple of points
worth remembering. First, the rate posted on the door usually is
for amounts in notes of USD 100 - lesser denominated notes (i.e.
USD 50) will be given a less favourable rate. Verify the exchange
calculation next (ask to use the calculator or bring your own) and
count your change before you leave the window. Lastly, be prepared,
if you are cashing traveller's cheques you will need to present
your passport for identification and many money changers do not
accept cash notes that have been defaced - or are in less than near
mint condition. The official exchange rate is daily posted in all
major newspapers. Also, rates that are too good to be true - generally
watch out for.
The
Rupiah comes in notes and coins. Notes denominations are 1,000,
2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000; coins denominations are 50, 100,
500.
Credit
cards are accepted at better restaurants and retailers (tourist areas). But be aware,
most retailers add an extra 3 - 5 % on your bill for the privilege
of using plastic. You do not have to accept this: You're not going
to get anywhere arguing with the shopkeeper but if you want to get
this surcharge back make sure the retailer or restaurant writes
it down as an extra charge for using the card and then claim it
from your monthly billing.
 Tipping and Bargaining ...
Tipping is relatively new on Lombok. Most large hotels
and restaurants will automatically add a service charge of between
5 - 10 percent to your bill which is quite sufficient. Smaller
restaurants generally don't add 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.
Bellmen
generally get Rp. 500 - Rp.1,000 for a small to medium sized piece
of luggage and up to Rp. 2,000 for those house trailers some people
carry around. With taxi drivers it is the norm to round up to
the nearest Rp. 500 or Rp. 1,000 depending on the length of the
trip. And with tour guides and the like tipping is up to you -
just remember that your driver will probably receive a commission
from anything you'll purchase during the day.
Difficult
for many first timers but once you get the hang of it you'll never
pay off again! Bargaining is the norm in Lombok's art markets,
trinket and T-shirt shops. But don’t get cheesy. Negotiate
a good price and take home a good story.
 Getting to Lombok ...
There are hourly flights from Bali's domestic airport as well as a public ferry from Padang Bay available. Also there are speedboats that leave from Benoa Harbour and Padang Bay that will bring you to Lombok within a good 2 hours.
Merpati Nusantara Airlines
20 min. flight from Denpasar (Bali) to Mataram (Lombok)
Sales Office: Jl. Pejanggik 69 Mataram
Tel: +62 370 636745, 621111
Wings Air
Denpasar (Bali) - Mataram (Lombok)
Silk Air
Changi Singapore Airport - Mataram (Lombok)
Sales Office: Komplek Bandara Selaparang Mataram
Tel: +62 370 636924, 628254, 634776
If you have the time you can also take the inter-island ferry from Padang Bay, Bali to Lembar, Lombok. The price is around Rp. 45,000, and this ferry takes about 4 hours depending on the ship, its load and tide.
ASDP Ferry
This public ferry departs every 2 hours from Padang Bai (BALI) to Lembar (LOMBOK) - approx 3,5 hours - all day, all night, 24 hours. A ticket is easy to get once you arrive at the harbour.
For information on ferry schedules contact:
Tel: +62 370 681187, 637209
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