Senggigi beach

Senggigi beach

On a series of sweeping bays, Senggigi is the most developed tourist area in Lombok. The sunsets over the Lombok strait are superb, and you can enjoy them from the beach or from one of the beachfront restaurants. Senggigi, north of Bangsal, belongs to the most scenic and most popular

beaches on the island of Lombok with good accommodation facilities. Located on the western coast of Lombok in the small village and resort area of Senggigi.

The town of Senggigi spreads out along nearly 10 kilometers of coastal road. This road continues north to Bangsal, the port for the Gili Islands. Along the way be in store for winding turns, steep hills, and a fantastic scenery of the coast. The bays are ideal for swimming snorkeling and other popular water activities and its impressive hillsides provide a dramatic backdrop and breathtaking scenic road trips along the coast to the north.

Located on the western coast of Lombok is the small village and resort area of Senggigi. Tall coconut trees shadow two stunning bays and the white sand beach of Senggigi. The bays are ideal for swimming snorkeling and other popular water activities and its impressive hillsides provide a dramatic backdrop and breathtaking scenic road trips along the coast to the north.
Senggigi over the years has become the most popular tourist area of Lombok, presenting a diverse range of hotel accommodations, from deluxe four-star resort properties to simple home-stays. As well, restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues can all be found along the main Senggigi road and on certain areas along the beach.

Senggigi is the main tourist strip of Lombok, stretched out along nearly 10 kilometers of beachfront just to the north of the capital Mataram.
Senggigi can be broadly divided into three parts: northern Mangsit Beach, central Senggigi and the southern stretch near Batu Bolong, with headlands separating the three. Mangsit has quiet resorts and very little other development, while nightlife and other restaurants are concentrated in Senggigi and the Batu Bolong area.

That said, Lombok's post-2000 misfortunes hit Senggigi hardest of all, with many developments halted and a few closed and barred up. Especially during the day the area resembles a ghost town, with many if not most shops closed, restaurants empty and hawkers and touts pestering the (few) passersby. Things are slowly starting to improve again, with a few new villas going up, but for time being the overall feeling is a little depressing and most visitors either stay in the manicured grounds of their resorts, or head directly onward to the Gili Islands.

source:http://www.lombokmarine.com/senggigi-beach-lombok.htm

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MT. RINJANI NATIONAL PARK

There over 20 villages surround Mt. Rinjani and there are many routes up the mountain,

but the main access is from Senaru in the north and Sembalun Lawang to the east. The challenging three-day Rinjani Trek route from Senaru to the crater rim (Plawangan), down to the stunning crater lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Those heading for the summit usually prefer to start in Sembalun Lawang.

A model for ecotourism in Indonesia, the community-based activities are focused on the Rinjani Trek Centre in Senaru, the most popular starting point for the tough trek. Developed with New Zealand Government assistance since 1999, the Rinjani Trek Centre embodies under one roof (satu atap) the unique partnership of the National Park, tourism industry and local communities that has been forged to manage and protect the Rinjani mountain environment.

WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE
Gunung Rinjani National Park lies within the major transition zone (Wallacea) where the flora and fauna of South East Asia makes a dramatic transition into that which is typical of Australasia. The Park has a rich variety of plants and animals, although they can be hard to spot due to the terrain and rainforest cover.
Sometimes seen early in the mornings is the rare black Ebony leaf monkey, known locally as Lutung.

The Long tailed grey macaque or Kera is common in Lombok and older males are seen on the crater rim. Rusa deer are forest dwellers and are occasionally seen along the Rinjani trek trail. The smaller Barking deer or Kijang has an alarm call with a distinct dog-like bark. Look for the disturbed ground where the Wild pig or Babi hutan has been foraging. Also found in the forest is the Leopard cat or Bodok alas, Palm civet or Ujat and Porcupine or Landak.

A variety of colourful birds live in the forests of the Park. Perhaps the best-known icon of the Park is the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo that is not found any further west of Lombok. Many of the forest-dwelling animals, insects, birds, civets and monkeys owe their survival to the wild fig tree or Beringin as a provider of food and shelter. The pine-like Casuarina species, Cemara, are a feature of the grassy higher slopes. Orchids or Anggrek are also a feature of the grassland areas, as is Edelweiss or Bunga Abadi growing above the tree line; it is a beautiful icon of the Park and one of our best-known sub-alpine plants.

Other Things to See or Do

Beside the mountain itself, other things for you to do or see is:

• Caves
  One of the three famous caves (Goa Susu, Goa Payung, dan Goa Manik), Susu Cave is a good place for self reflection and is often used as a place to meditate.

• Healing Hot Springs
  Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various deseases. One of the hot springs is named Pangkereman Jembangan which is meant a place for dipping. The water which spurts out of the spring is very hot. People also use the hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping a bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid becomes clear oily it can be used as medicinal oil. Then the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called Siu Satus Tunggal or in Bayan language Siu Satunggal which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of disease.

• Segara Anak Lake
  Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea. Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.

• Local Strawberry
  This plant grows along the route to Mt. Rinjani. It has thorns like the rose and the fruit is red like strawberry. It has a sweet and slightly sour taste and is good to eat when trekkers are hungry and thirsty.

• Eternal Flower or Edelweis
  The plant or the flowers should not be taken because it grows in the park and in the mysterious world of the spirit kingdom. In the past, someone who wanted this flower must be brave enough to fight and gamble his soul. That is why the flower is called Sandar Nyawa. The flower has never wilted and is as old as the mysterious spirits.

• The Peak of Rinjani
  The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the queen spirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani lives. To the south-east from the peak in a sea of dust called Segara Muncar is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her followers.

• Mount Baru Jari
  Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that Gunung Baru is the navel of Mt. Rinjani. That is why if Gunung Baru erupted it will not harm the people of Lombok unless the eruption is from the peak of Mt. Rinjani.

source:http://www.rinjaninationalpark.com/rinjani-national-park.htm
:http://www.rinjanitrekkingclub.com/mount-rinjani-national-park-lombok.htm

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Lombok Island

Lombok Island

Lombok Island.
This island is located on the east side of Bali Island, precisely in Nusa Tenggara Barat. It is separated by Lombok Straight from Bali and Alas Straight from Sumbawa Island (for more information, you can have a look on its map). The total area of this island is 4.725 km2.

Many people say that this is the second Bali. It has clean beaches so that you can enjoy your time at these. Moreover, for those who love surfing, the beaches in this Island offer you a big wave. They are also calm and exotic.

Another tourism object you can find in this island is Rinjani Volcanic Mountain. It stands 3.726 m high above the sea that makes this mountain becomes the third highest mountain in Indonesia. From the east part of Rinjani's peak, you will see a fascinating view, Segara Anak (lake) which is surrounded by Barujari Mountain. It offers you an amazing view.

Do you need a vacation? Or do you need time to relax and unwind? You don't want to go where there are millions of other tourists there which will spoil your time off from work. One place that you may not have heard of is Lombok Island. It is an undiscovered island paradise in Indonesia which may be the answer to your dreams.

What type of vacation are you looking for? Do you want to simply relax and do nothing? Or perhaps you want a vacation filled with plenty of activities that have intriguing sights and sounds. Or maybe you want to have an exotic adventure filled with nightlife and shopping. Any one of these and many others can be attained at Lombok Island.

This island is located east of Bali and is the owner of magnificent white sand beaches, a tropical climate and friendly people. Mount Rinjani National Park is also located here which has the third largest volcano in Indonesia with a measurement of 3726 meters. The best time to plan your trip is from the months of May to October. The peak season during the months of July and August so you will want to plan your trip early and make sure you have reservations!

There are many activities to do on the island of Lombok. You can do rock climbing, scuba diving, trekking, biking, sailing, snorkeling, bamboo rafting, surfing, fishing, boating, paragliding, parasailing, and even golfing. If you can name it you can do it here. You can trek on the mountain or on a natural trail. Most trips are usually done with an average of 15 to 20 people and accompanied by a local guide. You can even go camping and view some of the natural animals and vegetation.

The major city of Senggigi holds plenty of local nightlight filled with many dining establishments and dining restaurants. You will be sure to find something that will want to remind you of your visit and other unique items to take back as gifts. You will find exotic foods that will provide you with experiences unlike any other.

You can also take a small trek or tour to view the local plant life. There are also wetlands that you can view and enjoy. While there you might see a komodo or other natural animal life on the island. This is your chance to see animals in their natural habitat that you would normally see in a zoo.

When you visit Lombok Island you might not get a chance to see everything. You might be so overwhelmed by all the activities and adventures that happen here. You might decide not to do anything at all but simply meditate, relax, and get pampered. That can be done here as well. Whatever your vacation ideal is you can have it when you come to Lombok Island. It is a tranquil place with unheard of beauty and lulling waters that soothe your senses. The colors are so vibrant they appear to have been painted by an artist. You will not want to leave.

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