LR
Travel Report
Lombok, Indonesia ©Susan Campbell
Eclectic Experiences & Local Culture
T
he aerial view of the Lombok strait that connects the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean was gorgeous. But what struck me the most as we began descending were the mosques. Their round, pastel-painted tops popped up in every little pocket of population, dotting the vast expanse of green like brightly colored upside-down eggcups. And the Lombok airport was impressive and new. But what really stood out once on land were the scooters! The most popular form of transportation there, they were everywhere! Entire families were on board just one of them – no helmets – and often carrying all kinds of big, unwieldy wares in an uncanny balancing act. Surreal. For us, highlights included a visit to a local market, where our very congenial guide, Harry, introduced us to his home community, where they rarely see foreigners. They welcomed us with great glee. It was a kaleidoscopic crush of colour and activity, and the vendors, instead of hassling us to buy things, were more intent on our taking their photos! It was a warm and wonderful experience.
54 LuxuryReportMagazine.com
Also a treat was our stop at the monkey forest, where we were joined by lots of cheeky primates looking for handouts. They are used to folks stopping by, but not tame by any stretch of the imagination. Best to keep a respectful distance and throw the peanuts from afar. We also visited the fishermen’s village, where they still make the nets by hand and use the ancient colourful, hand-painted outrigger canoes to get their catch. After a full day of explorations, we checked into the Holiday Resort Lombok – a beautiful property with a great beach and an expansive water circuit. Sadly, it was too late to take a dip, but I did manage to capture a spectacular sunset photo. They also have a sea turtle preservation program. Though we didn’t have a chance to explore their popular natural attractions, like the caves and waterfalls, Lombok, though interesting and friendly, didn’t seem extremely tourist oriented. It’s their little satellite island Gili Trawangan that really draws visitors. And that’s where we were headed next. SUSAN CAMPBELL Twitter: @suectravel