LOMBOK

Although being so close to Bali, the life on Lombok is possibly more like Bali a decade or two ago. Tourism is developing slowly on the island, which hosts the highest volcano in Indonesia, the towering Gunung Rinjani, countless unspoiled beaches and several traditional Sasak villages.

The 2.5 million inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Sasaks, most of them Muslims, with other religions mixed in between, e.g. some Balinese-Hindu communities to the west towards Bali.

Agriculture (tobacco, rice, soybeans), fishing and some pottery production dominates people’s daily life. Also shrimp, pearl and seaweed farming is becoming a source of income.

The western and central part of the island is lush, with drier landscapes to the east and south. The very south contains plentiful deserted and splendid beaches.