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GENERAL INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
Lombok is
a beautiful virgin paradise island situated east of
celebrated island, Bali. It is accessible both by air and
sea. It takes only 25 minutes by plane and about 4 hours by
regular public ferry. Alternatively, Lombok can also be
accessed by sea for shorter sailing duration by fast boat
from Benoa Bali.
Lombok
gains its fame among visitors who are in search for a unique
way of spending their lazy time. Lombok is really an ideal
place to relax your body and mind; it is away from hustle
bustle. You can simply enjoy yourself lazing around on the
sleepy gorgeous beaches which Lombok is famous for. Surf
among world best surf points on Kuta Beach or dive and
snorkel to discover the undersea charms of Gili Trawangan,
Gili Meno, and Gili Air.
Lombok
also offers exciting trekking adventure on Rinjani, the
sacred volcano for both Sasak and Balinese, for tourists
with more adventurous spirit. It takes about. For soft
trekkers, walking around the foot of the volcano and Lombok
tropical forest and get splashed by the awesome waterfalls
and breathe the fresh air can be an unforgettable refreshing
experience.
In
addition, Lombok is not only rich of natural beauties, but
it is also rich of cultural attractions. Lombok friendly
people are happy to share their traditions, arts and crafts
with foreigners. They welcome guests with open hands and
minds to their secluded traditional villages in Sade,
Segenter and Senaru. It is based on the traditional believe
that ‘a guest is a king’. So meet and greet the Sasak while
you are in Lombok and experience their ancient life style.
PEOPLE
and RELIGIONS
The
population of Lombok has reached almost 3 million
(2.950.105). The figure is shown by the 2005 census. The
indigenous people of Lombok are referred to as Sasak
Ethnic. Dominating the population up to 85%, Sasak people
speak their own local language which is also referred to as
Sasak and almost 100% of them adhere Islam. Nevertheless,
there is a minority number of Sasaks who still practice
certain rituals which are associated to animism and Hinduism
in addition to Islamism; a unique mixture of believes. They
are referred to as Moslem Wetu Telu. The rest of the
inhabitants are mostly Balinese who came to Lombok in the
early of 18th century and conquered mostly West
Lombok; they remain very “Balinese” and Hindu, minority
Chinese and Arab traders and other ethnics from the other
islands.
HISTORY
The Dutch
landed in Lombok for the first time in 1674 and occupied the
eastern most part of the Island and left the western one
ruled by the Balinese tyrannical monarchy. The Sasaks were
very suffer under the Balinese King and revolted in 1891 and
ended in 1894 with the Dutch intervention who finally
annexed the whole island and hence Lombok completely part of
The Netherland East Indies.
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