Jumat, 25 April 2008

Lombok Activities

Diving in Lombok

Three small islands, surrounded by coral, The Gilis, off Lombok's west coast, are fast becoming one of her main drawcards. Dive centres with all the high tech equipment and professional instructors ensure that visiting divers at all levels of experience and ability can dive in waters that have more varieties of fish than anywhere in the world - and that includes The Great Barrier Reef and Red Sea.

Gili Trawangan now appears to head the list as the most popular island - it has long had a reputation as the 'party' island mainly through a concentrated and central foreshore area of restaurants, dive operations and hotels including some luxury boutique choices.

Gili Meno, still the quietest island is a place to escape to and although it has a smaller list of accommodation options those that it has are tending towards a more up-market clientele. Snorkeling off beaches of pure white sand the coral is superb.

Gili Air has the largest local population and while it has more of a lived-in feeling than the other two islands for some that is quite possibly its attraction. On Gili Air it's possible to likewise enjoy the marine possibilities but also one can absorb some of the local culture missing on the other islands.

I addition to the Gilis there are many other dive and snorkel possibilities such as an area now being prmoted on the rugged south coast where the experienced can now dive among hammerheads and rays.


Surfing in Lombok

For one of the best surfs on the island, Bangko Bangko is about 90 kilometres from Mataram and located on the furthest point to the west on Lombok's foot. It's mostly deserted but famous in some circles for its surfing waves where it's known as Desert Point.

The trip to Bangko Bangko takes two hours but it's a beautiful drive beside the ocean where you'll see lots of white sand on the stretches of beaches beside the road side and white sandy beaches that ring the many islands (gili's) off shore such as Gili Nanggu, Gili Sulat and Gili Gede.

It's definitely one of the best surfing locations in Indonesia and the waters are also ideal for sport fishing. Slated as an area for future development Bangko Bangko already has a small resort of luxury villas located in a quiet bay only a few minutes from the surf and fishing grounds.


Golfing in Lombok

No matter where you go in the world, golfers will have their way. Lombok island has its own spectacular course.

On the island of Lombok, the Rinjani Golf Course embraces most of these essential ingredients of what golf is today. They’re pretty serious about golf, too! The latest trends and record breaking distance fairways are apparent but not the be all and end all of the game. At the same time everyone is serious about improving their game, and dare I say it, winning? The bottom line, however, seems to be enjoyment - an aspect often lost in many of the more ‘sophicticated’ locations. But don’t get me wrong, if you want to talk about location, Lombok’s Rinjani Country Club Golf Club ideally positioned 500 metres above sea level in the cool foothills of the Mount Rinjani mountain range, defers to no one.

Jack Nicklaus couldn’t have planned it better. A 3,700-meter volcano looms in the distance while other smaller mountains join in to create a superb natural vista. For those used to playing at sea level or adjacent to city skylines the escape is a feeling that must create a more relaxed mental attitude to one’s game. Yes, in these conditions the last thing one thinks about is stress. It shows that there is more to a game of golf than just hittting that little ball down fairways, out of bunkers and onto greens.

The Golf Resort has a swimming pool to cool off in, villas for those who wish to stay overnight, a restaurant that serves cold beer, a driving range, a putting green and a tennis court. And the 45-minute drive from Senggigi to the course takes you through some of Lombok’s lushest countryside, passing by the water palace of Narmada and skirting Suranadi with its manicured rice terraces, old Dutch hotel, and small Hindu temple.


Game fishing

Like surfing, deep-sea, game-fishing is an activity relying on a knowledge of underwater reefs, ocean floor contours, tides and currents and the weather. Mistakes can spell disaster, expertise success. Lombok being an island that has on one side a peaceful sea and the other the often times raging ocean is perfectly positioned to cater to a variety of fishing wants. Says Ted Turnbull, who fishes from his own traditionally styled outriggers: 'We may not have the latest fish catching technology, but we do have the fish. And while game-fishing in Lombok is still in its infant stages and relatively uncharted, this adds to the excitement. We surely can boast some of the best game-fishing in the world today'.

And a trip out in Ted's boat (pictured right) not only guarantees fish, but also gives you another spectacular view of Lombok. Rugged cliffs mark the southern coastline while white sandy beaches with palm trees are the norm on the western and northern coast. Of course what better place from which to see unhindered the huge mass of Mt Rinjani rising out of the inner island areas.

Here is Ted's account of a recent venture: 'Within moments of anchoring - bingo! The fish were lining up to get on board. The instant your line was in the water the bites started. The first line out pulled in two nice Trevally. After that the Red Snapper were hoisted on board by the dozen and getting bigger and bigger. Then there were Grey Snapper, White Snapper, Coral Trout, Grouper, Shark and Sea Bass. It was nothing to see a Giant Trevally of 30kgs being caught on one of our hand lines.

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