Lost in time

Travel Review: Lombok

Tuesday, 15 Nov 2011

With sand still in our hair, we are fresh back from Lombok, and we feel it our duty to report on this must-see destination.

Lombok is a quiet little Indonesian island right next door to Bali, but so in so many ways so different to its well-known neighbour.

Overlooked by mass tourism and tourist developments, a trip to Lombok is a trip back in time. Think long sandy beaches, clear water and just the sound of the waves lapping the beach.

With no shops and relatively few restaurants Lombok is the kind of holiday destination that ensures that you have some quality (and quantity) time with your masseuse and your deckchair.

When the quiet gets too much you can scoot off to the party islands of the Gilis, where you will find crystal-clear snorkelling and sandy white beaches dotted with back packer cafes like Happy Café which offer some very happy pizzas (if you know what we mean).

Back on Lombok you can cruise the roads from Sire Beach to Senggigi where you will find Asia’s answer to the Cinque Terre – with its rugged coastline, dotted with bright blue bays and stunning scenery.

If you’re adventuresome you can climb Mount Rinjani (allow 4 days) or if time doesn’t permit, surf the many breaks around Lombok and the Gili Islands.

We stayed at the Villa Sepoi Sepoi, but there are a number of accommodation options – from old school to funky modern boutique hotels. Lightfoot Travel have all the options.

With its brand new airport and rumours of 60 hotels opening on the island, get to Lombok before its too late.