Trek to Benang Kelambu Waterfall
By The Spot
Benang Kelambu Waterfall stands at over 20 meters high and the water gushes over a tumbling cliff before crashing into a pool below.
The waterfall is also covered with gorgeous green plants and the scenery here is breathtaking, and you can get to the waterfall from neighboring Mataram, the capital city of Lombok which is around an hour away by car.
You can swim in the pool at the base of the waterfall and also get behind the curtain of water which leads to some great photo opportunities.
If you have had enough of checking out Lombok’s many beaches then this can offer a nice change of scenery.
Visit Sukarara Village
Many visitors to Lombok may not realize that this island has a thriving textile industry.
Many textiles made in Lombok are woven by hand and these include tenun ikat which is a kind of woven cloth made by men and tenun songket which is made by women and is usually inlaid with gold and silver thread.
One of the best places to check out Lombok’s weaving industry is at Sukarara Village which is located in the south of the island and you can join a traditional weaving workshop here and learn exactly how traditional pieces are made.
Needless to say you can also pick up a few pieces which make great souvenirs.
Bali / Lombok open for tourists in September?
Well, we all have seen articles and rumors pass by our screen, hinting, that Indonesia will re-open for tourism on September 11th.
Well, those articles and post are exactly that, rumors and hints. No official press release has been shown to the public that this will actually happen.
On the upside, since immigration is allowing VOA to be extended up to the 10th of September. There is reason to believe that Indonesia MIGHT re-open it’s borders. But my advise would be to hold of with booking that ticket until it has been made official.
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Visit Semeti Beach
One of Lombok’s other famous beaches is Semeti Beach which is famous for is stunning volcanic formations.
The beach is covered in volcanic rocks which over time have been carved up by the waves making a series of small pools, bays, and inlets, as well as some pretty blow holes.
Despite its dramatic scenery, Semeti Beach is often not visited by travelers to Lombok, so this is one of the quieter and more secluded beaches which is a great place to explore if you like rock pools and climbing.
You can also go swimming here and admire the scenery from the vantage point of the water.
Trip to Benang Kelambu
With Corona still being in most parts of Lombok AND Indonesia still closed for arriving tourists, we set of to Benang Kelambu.
Roads were pretty much empty and we had the pleasure of seeing the local people harvest the rice on the many rice paddies along the way.
Staying at SAME SAME is so much more than only a room. We will take you places.
Go snorkeling at Pink Beach
Pink Beach is the nickname for Tangsi Beach, and it is rather an ambitious one at that.
It is said to be called ‘Pink Beach’ thanks to its pink sand, although you have to look pretty hard to see any glints of a pink hue here.
Instead the beach is more of a strawberry-blonde shade, but it is still a nice spot to visit if you want to sunbathe on the sand or go for a swim.
One of the big draws at Pink Beach is the coral reefs that lie off shore, so if you like snorkeling you can get out into the water and take in all the colorful marine life that swims in these waters.
Other activities at the beach include canoeing around the sheltered bay which is perfect for anyone looking for a little more adventure.
Tour the Sekotong Islands
Lombok is an island in its own right but it is also surrounded by a myriad of other smaller islands which offer you the chance to check out a tropical paradise that feels miles away from the more crowded islands in and around Bali.
The Sekotong Island chain is a collection of small islands that can be visited on a day tour from the main island of Lombok, and they are not yet as well known as the neighboring Gili Islands, so this is a good pick if you want to get away from the crowds.
The islands are covered in white sandy beaches and have pretty outlying coral reefs, so if you like snorkeling then this is an excellent choice and you can enjoy a wealth of underwater flora and fauna.
Discover the Enchanting Sekotong Islands of Lombok: An Unspoiled Paradise
Visit a Pearl Farm
People may not realize that Lombok is famous for its pearl farms, and this is big business in the area, with some of the prettiest pearls in Southeast Asia cultivated here.
One place where you can see the pearls is the Autore Pearl Farm and there is a tour which is perfect for tourists that will fill you in on everything you want to know about pearl cultivation.
There is also a showroom where you can buy some pearl products and support the local pearl farming business in Lombok.
Explore Narmada Water Park
Narmada Water Park is actually something of a misnomer as this is not an amusement park but actually more of a water palace.
The park was built in 1727 under the sage guidance of King Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Karang Asem and is seen as an important religious and spiritual retreat by those who follow the Hindu faith.
Make sure to check out the amazing architecture here as the park is built to mirror the shape of Mount Rinjani which is the highest peak on Lombok and also considered to be a sacred mountain.
The park is surrounded by lush gardens which are perfect for an afternoon stroll as there are natural springs here that give the park its water element.
Narmada Water Park is not as grand as some of the more famous water parks in Bali but it is well worth a visit if you want to check out some ancient architecture in Lombok.
LOMBOK SET TO SHINE AGAIN IN A NEW POST-PANDEMIC ERA
The island of Lombok is ready to reboot tourism.
It’s been a long hibernation with us all stuck at home counting down the days to when we can finally get out and explore again.
That day has arrived but life has changed, perhaps forever. How is this ‘new normal’ era affecting everyday life and tourism in Lombok? Actually, it’s surprisingly little.
Lombok’s wide open spaces and relatively low-key tourism has always offered social distancing by default. We’ve never really had to tread on people’s toes when strolling along the beach. There is plenty of space for everyone, especially now as tourism restarts at a gradual pace, even in the busy Gili Islands and Senggigi.
Lombok has been blessed in that there are virtually no high rise hotels – it’s mostly single story open fronted public spaces and detached bungalow style suites and rooms. It’s the same for dining and drinking too, with most places outside the city offering an open air style experience and now with limited capacity including beach side dining.
Now we’re all itching to go and explore. Lombok is blessed with off the grid experiences and wide open spaces.
Original article in latest edition from My Lombok Magazine.
