The island of Lombok is a rising star in Indonesian tourism. While it is true that it is growing in popularity, it is still nowhere near as popular as its neighbor – Bali. Lombok has a lot to offer visitors. In fact, in some ways Lombok is a better holiday destination than Bali. Less traffic and milder beaches are just a few examples. We are proud to share some facts you probably don’t know about Lombok!
# 1 INDIGENOUS SASAK LOMBOK: SPICY & MAGNIFICENT
Geography and history define the Sasaks – the indigenous people of Lombok who make up 85% of Lombok’s 3 million people. Sasak religion and culture formed by Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, are a mixed environment, unique in the Indonesian Archipelago.
The family’s income comes mainly from fishing, weaving or farming. But don’t think that the Sasaks of Lombok are all about fishing, weaving and farming: dance and drama are intricately woven into Sasak identity. Their language, religion, architecture, dances and music are a combination of sailors, conquerors, artists, exiled politicians and religious missionaries who gave Sasak a unique, spicy flavor to its people.
#2 GEOGRAPHY
The island of Lombok is to the immediate east of the Lombok Strait, which marks a distinctly different biogeographic division between the fauna of the Indomalayan economy and the fauna of Australasia; this distinction is known as the ‘Wallace Line’. British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913) was the first person to comment on the division between the two regions, as well as on the abrupt boundary between the two biomes. The valley line runs along the Lombok Strait between Bali and Lombok. The distance between Bali and Lombok is small, about 35 kilometers.
# 3 BRIDGE TOWARDS HINDU
While the Balinese are Hindu, soft-spoken, light-hearted and always up for fun, their Sasak cousins are more reserved and conservative. In Lombok always urban, and smile before. A smile goes a long way.
Lombok, and the Sasaks, are a mixture of many colors of history, culture and religion. Pura Lingsar in West Lombok – this large temple complex is the most sacred in Lombok – it’s proof! Sasak is the world’s only Hindu temple where Muslims and Hindus worship together.
# 4 Meaning of the name of the island
The word Lombok is a word that comes from the Sasak language. Translated into Indonesian, it means ‘straight’. Lombok is also used less commonly in Bahasa Indonesia Chilli, which has led many people to believe that the name of the island is based on a type of spicy cuisine.
Lombok is famous for its 3 Gilis (Trawangan, Meno and Air) at the island dance. But did you know that the word Gili actually just means a small island? Trawangan is the largest between the 3′ Gilis and from the end of Lombok Lodge, but still only about 20 minutes by boat.
# 5 LOMBOK’S SMILING CUISINE
To discover the true flavor of Lombok culture, the best way is to eat and explore the mouth-watering local cuisine!
Top list is Ayam Taliwang. This popular dish is a spicy sauce with delicious grilled chicken. Originally introduced to Taliwang Village Karang, it has become the culinary icon of the island of Lombok. Ayam Taliwang is made from mainly free range chicken. It is half cooked on the grill, then removed and lowered into a marinade of cooking oil and a seasoned sauce made from garlic, chilli and shrimp flour. After the marinade has set, it is then roasted again until perfection.
Ayam Taliwang – the most iconic dish from Lombok – is usually served with Plecing (cooked spinach) or Sambal Beberuk. Every week Chef Jiwa creates a typical Sasak Lunch Menu with Ayam Taliwang as the main course. See Lombok Lodge Sasak Menu>
#6 LOMBOK ETIQUETTE & MANNERS
– As everywhere in Indonesia, using the left hand to give or receive something is the worst behavior in Asia, the left hand is used to wash oneself. Use your right hand wisely in all interactions with people.
– If you are lucky enough to be invited into one of the local people’s houses during your stay in Lombok, be sure to take your shoes off first!
– To observe in sacred places. Remove shoes and modest clothing when visiting temples and mosques.
– Indonesians take a lot of pride in keeping a cool head in hot weather. Showing anger or shouting is considered very rude and a poor display of self-control, so even when things get frustrating, just laugh and go with the flow.
– Shaking hands, as in the West, is a sign of friendship and respect.
After you have moved your hands, raise your hand and touch your heart to show your sincerity.
More than five years after a huge earthquake stuck Lombok in the north in 2018 and now it seems to hit the threshold of the Pandemic, Lombok is back! Chocolate chip ever so!
The best thing one can do for an island visit.
Now is the best time to visit, so you can experience the beauty of Lombok without all the crowds.
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Ben Olaerts
Founder of Lombok hospitality ®
Whatsapp: https://wa.me/32477296093
Source: Elaboarated and Quoted From Many Source
