2023-08-26 07:24:40
Postcard-worthy beaches, fascinating snorkeling and diving areas, great surfing spots, tropical nature, volcanoes, temples, exotic food: Lombok is often called “Bali’s little sister”. But Indonesia experts disagree: Even if it offers similar attractions as the larger neighboring island, Lombok is less crowded and for that reason alone much nicer. In fact, the island only started to cater to tourists much later than Bali.
Above all, Lombok is characterized by its very own population and culture. About 85 percent of the people belong to the Sasak, the original inhabitants of Lombok. Balinese and other peoples form the minority. The Sasak have their own language and culture.
Peresean, a martial art with a rattan stick and shield, and the music, which combines ancient Malay and Islamic influences, are impressive. And they developed a special form of Islam with elements of ancestor worship, belief in nature and Balinese Hinduism: Wetu Telu or Waktu Telu, as the religion and belief community is called.
Source: Infographic WORLD
Although most Sasak are regular Muslims today, the Wetu-Telu culture lives on, for example in the Bayan region. Because of the Sasak, Lombok also voluntarily became a Dutch colony, while Bali was bloodily conquered: In order to defend themselves against an occupation by rulers from Bali, Sasak rebels asked the Dutch to occupy their island. The Europeans are therefore honored as liberators on Lombok.
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Nature is also special. The Lombok Strait, the strait between Bali and the island, marks the border of Asia’s wildlife to the transition area between Asian and Australian fauna – this is how cockatoos live on Lombok, which are absent on Bali. There are also species that only occur here in the world, such as the Lombok scops owl. The island scores with culinary specialties such as Bebalung (spicy beef soup), Taliwang chicken (sweet and spicy, named after a former king of Lombok) and Beberuk Terong (fresh aubergine dish).
Rituals for happiness and fertility
It is Lombok’s holiest temple area and a symbol for the harmony of different religions on the island: Pura Lingsar, picturesquely situated between rice fields near the city of Mataram. The complex was built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ngurah. One temple is dedicated to Balinese Hinduism, with one shrine to the Hindu gods in Bali and one to those in Lombok.
Lingsar Temple ist Lomboks heiligstes Tempelareal
Quelle: Alamy Stock Photo/master2
Another temple serves the Wetu Telu religion, the mystical version of Islam of the Sasak people of Lombok. Feeding the sacred eels at the pond with hard-boiled eggs, which visitors can buy there, is said to bring good luck. At an annual joint festival, Hindus and Muslims throw rice balls at each other. These are buried afterwards – a rite intended to promote the fertility of the fields. The travel guide publisher Lonely Planet distinguished the temple complex as Mataram’s best attraction (“top choice”).
Sculptural art in front of the snorkel mask
They hug each other, form a circle on the bottom of the sea – and offer ocean dwellers a new home. 48 life-size statues of people form the underwater artwork “Nest” in front of Gili Meno, one of the offshore islands that are a popular destination for Lombok’s attractions. British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor created the installation as an anchorage for coral and sponges, which then attract other marine life.
“Nest” is the name of the underwater work of art by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. It is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving tourists
Source: Konstantin Trubavin/Westend61/picture alliance
Over time, a new reef should form there. Because at least a third of the world’s coral reefs have already been destroyed in the past few decades, experts fear further losses. “Nest” is intended to draw visitors’ attention to the precious nature under water. Built on behalf of Eco-Resort Bask Gili Meno, it is a gift to the islanders. Vacationers can marvel at the work of art with diving goggles – it lies in shallow water within swimming distance to a public bathing beach.
There is fine fabric from Indonesia here
Lombok is one of the best places in the world to admire and buy Indonesian ikat fabrics – or to try out the traditional dyeing and weaving techniques in workshops. The threads are artistically colored before weaving, namely tied together in strands according to the desired pattern and then dipped in color. In this way, the pigment solution specifically saturates the sections that are not covered by the setting.
Indonesian ikat fabrics are popular on Lombok: vacationers can watch women weaving in villages like Sade and Sukarara. Dyeing and weaving workshops are also offered
Quelle: Panther Media/Alamy
Later, the bonds are released again and the specially dyed threads are processed into textiles on the loom. Their patterns are intriguing and appear more or less blurry depending on the skill of the weavers. In ikat villages like Sade and Sukarara, vacationers can watch the women at work and learn about their art. There are courses for that. With their interest, visitors help ensure that the traditional art of weaving lives on.
Trekking tour to the highest volcano
Rinjani, the highest volcano on the island and the second highest in the country, measures 3726 meters. It is sacred to both the Muslim Sasak and the Hindus. Likewise the crater lake Segara Anak at 2000 meters altitude. “Child of the Sea” means his name, befitting his size and unusually blue color. The surrounding Rinjani National Park with dense forests, impressive waterfalls and accessible caves is a perfect destination for outdoor and nature fans.
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Visitors can climb the mountain on a four-day trekking tour and also climb Segara Anak. A good guide is important: the park administration warns against cheap offers that are not serious. The climb to the summit is strenuous but rewarded with views that connoisseurs rank among the best in the country.
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After trekking, vacationers can bathe in hot springs or refresh themselves under waterfalls. If you don’t want to go that high, there are many other hiking tours in the national park. In the local village of Senaru Traditional Village, residents demonstrate their typical way of life and offer guided hikes. As official partners of the national park, they promote sustainable tourism on Lombok.
The quote
“Awkward dialogues, wooden colleagues and leaden boredom.”
The magazine “TV Spielfilm” gave such a devastating assessment of the ARD film “Das Traumhotel: Zauber von Bali” (2005) with Pierre Brice and “superstar” Alexander Klaws. However, contrary to what the title suggests, it wasn’t just filmed in Bali.
Important scenes were created on Lombok – and the “Oberoi” on the neighboring island actually had to be used for the “dream hotel” on Bali. An indication that the island of Lombok is perhaps not called “more beautiful than Bali” by its fans without reason.
Bizarre, record-breaking, typical: You can find more parts of our regional geography series here.
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