South Lombok... South Lombok... South Lombok...

 

Lombok
is about three-quarters the size of Bali and is estimated to have, surprisingly, approximately 2.5 million inhabitants, making it slightly more densely populated than Bali. As already mentioned Lombok is only 70 kilometres 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 metres it is Indonesia's second highest mountain and it gets surprisingly cold up there.

Lombok's tropical monsoon climate has two distinct seasons: dry (May to September) and wet (October 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. Weather-wise May, June and July are generally considered the best months.

History
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 colonised 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.

 

 

Etiquette
Cultural etiquette has been described as the unspoken but assumed behaviour 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.

That means that in Indonesia 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 shoe 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
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Women should avoid wearing halter tops or shorts as well as tight fitting or revealing clothes in public - especially outside the tourist enclaves.