South Lombok
The roads in south-west Lombok are well maintained, and the scenic drive from Mataram or Lembar is fairly relaxing. The price for transport depends on your talent in bargaining and can vary quite a bit therefore. If you calculate around USD 15, you should be able to find a car with a driver without too many problems. In any case, make sure you arrange the price before the journey starts.

Until recently, due to its challenging reef breaks at BangkoBangko and Desert Point, south-west Lombok was only known amongst surfers. Now this paradise has also been discovered by scuba enthusiasts and vacationers searching for white beaches and relaxation.

But not only travellers have found a new interest in South Lombok. Hotels and other tourist-orientated businesses are also slowly developing in the south of Lombok now. For example the 5* resort "Sundancer" is due to open in 2008.

Unique South Lombok
Even though the clean white sandy beaches of Sekotong are amongst the best on Lombok, you will not find many travellers on these beaches. Here it's still possible to take relaxing walks along the beach without meeting annoying sellers trying to sell their watches, necklaces and so on. You also can experience the underwater paradise by snorkelling near one of the beaches or one of the many small islands in the bay of Sekotong.

The local people in south-west Lombok haven't been influenced by mass tourism and are very friendly, sometimes curios. The language spoken is "Bahasa Indonesia"and "Bahasa Sasak". Many people also speak basic English and it's no problem for the traveller to communicate his needs. The inhabitants' main source of income in South Lombok is fishing and pearl farming (South Lombok's pearl farms are the main exporter of quality pearls in Indonesia).

When the tide reaches its lowest level, you can watch women and children collecting clams, crabs and other "treasures of the sea". On Sundays, the traditional "off day" for the Indonesian community, you can see families with their children enjoying and playing at the beach. Join in the fun and laugh along with them!