TRAVEL
Lombok LUXURY
Traditional puppet decor at Puri Mas.
Sendang Gile waterfall is spectacular!
It’s easy to while away a week or two in Indonesia’s island paradise of Lombok writes TATYANA LEONOV
W H E R E TO Puri Mas Bou STAY & Spa is hom tique Resort e villas. purim to an array of as-lombok.c om GET TING T H E R E Garuda Indo n Lombok via D esia flies to en Sydney, Melbo pasar from urne and Per th. garuda-indo nesia.com Paradise found! Tatyana fell in love with Lombok.
Surfing is a big drawcard here.
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hen it comes to Indonesia, Bali is the first port of call for most Aussies. But looking to keep away from the crowds, I was keen on checking out Lombok, often referred to as Bali’s little sister. I imagined a place with all the mod cons associated with Kuta beach in Lombok is a lot quieter than its Bali namesake!
while outside there’s a small Balinese-style garden and, sure enough, a jacuzzi. I bellyflop onto the massive bed, jump underneath the rain shower and fiddle around with the jacuzzi settings, then set off to explore the resort grounds.
Lingsar temple complex (one of Lombok’s holiest sites). Later, I fall in love with Kuta on Lombok’s south coast – it’s Indonesia’s answer to Surfer’s Paradise, without all the flashy highrises. Bronzed surfers bob on the swell like dolphins waiting to catch the next wave. As dusk slowly creeps over the beach signalling the day’s end, the surfers head off to their thatched beach bungalows to recuperate. I notice several signs for surf schools scattered around and make a mental note to book a lesson next time I’m in town.
Exploring the island Although my big plan was to relax completely, I’m drawn to the many activities Lombok has to offer. So I head out to explore with my guide Hassan, who laughs when I tell him that I think a day should do it. First up, he takes me to see the magnificent Sendang Gile waterfall, an excursion that makes me realise island holidays aren’t all about the beaches. After a drive through lush rice fields, we spend an hour wandering around the Pura
Pictures: Alamy, Getty Images.
70 WD
comfortable travel (plush hotels, idyllic pools, lengthy spa menus) – just minus the commotion. My suspicion is that in 20 years’ time, maybe less, Lombok won’t remain quite as peaceful as it is today. But for now? I’m anticipating a relaxing holiday in a tranquil island paradise. I’ve packed my ebook reader, a few bikinis, and not much else. “Your villa has a private jacuzzi pool. I hope that’s all right, ma’am?” As welcomes go, my arrival at Puri Mas Boutique Resort & Spa is one of the best I’ve had to date. After my refreshing welcome drink, two smiling staff members chaperone me to my oversized villa (seriously – we’re talking bigger than your average Sydney one-bedder here). My lovely room is fitted out with local-inspired furnishings,
Gili trilogy The word “gili” means “small island”, and there are 26 of these little pockets of serenity peppered around Lombok. The famous trio of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are the most visited.
I join the crowd one morning on Trawangan, the largest and busiest of the three, then jump in a tinny and head to Gili Meno to relax. It’s just 2km long and has remained largely immune to the party scene, but it’s just a short boat ride away from the other two and serves as a great base if you want peace during the day and entertainment at night. I learn there are even quieter islands around, and the next day I voyage to Gili Nanggu, home to just one simple cottage-style resort. After a refreshing snorkel among colourful darting fish I jump back in the boat. My skipper grins at me. “I’m going to take you to a completely uninhabited island,” he tells me. “Are you ready for paradise?” I look at him quizzically as he starts the motor. “But I thought we were already there!”
A Javanese pavilion at Puri Mas.
Relax under a sun umbrella on Gili Air island.
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