Both Lombok and Gills, which are situated in the Lesser Sunda Islands of the Nusa Tenggara Barat area, are breathtakingly gorgeous and enchanting islands in Indonesia. These islands are a favourite vacation spot for many people because of its breathtaking scenery, which includes picture-perfect beaches, glistening blue oceans, and a variety of different landscapes.
Anyone who comes to this area should spend some time exploring these islands since they have a lot to offer. In addition to sunbathing and surfing at the beaches, visitors may experience the summits of volcanoes and the underwater environment.
Lombok is home to a landscape that is strikingly diverse. Mountains dominate the landscape in the island’s northernmost region. Plains formed by alluvial deposits make up the area located in the centre. The terrain in the south is characterised by rocks and hills. Lombok is famed for its distinct culture. The Sasak make up the majority of the population. On the other hand, there is also a sizeable population of individuals of Javanese, Chinese, Arab, and Balinese descent. The Sasak people practise Islam, yet the Hinduism that is prevalent in Balinese society permeates both their culture and their beliefs. The Wektu Telu religion practised by Sasak is a distinctive syncretism of Hinduism, Islam, and Animism that predates Islam.
Main Tourist Attractions in Lombok and Gili Islands, Indonesia
Mayura Water Palace
Mayura Water Palace was formerly an integral part of the royal court of Bali, and its history dates back centuries. This structure, which dates back to 1774 and is known as the Water Palace, is essentially an artificial lake with a floating pavilion. An elevated pathway connects the pavilion to the water’s edge on the other side. It served both as a forum for settling legal disputes and as a gathering spot for the rulers of the Hindu religion. Today, the grounds of the palace are utilised for religious offerings as well as the occasional cockfight that is organised on rare occasions for the public to observe.
Senggigi Beach
This part of Lombok has seen a lot of recent development. The area has several tourism establishments that are on par with the best in the globe. Senggigi is home to a beautiful beach that has a high incline. At the beach, you may engage in activities such as snorkelling and take in breathtaking panoramas of the sun setting over the Lombok Strait.
Narmada Hill and Lake
A picturesque hill and lake may be seen in the Narmada area; they were both built in 1727 by King Anak Asem. In addition to being a place of prayer for Shiva, it was also utilised as a pleasure garden. This lake is a representation of the lake known as Rinjani. When King Anak reached the point in his life that he could no longer make the journey up the 3,726-meter tall peak, he commissioned the construction of this place to stand in for the mountains and the lake. At this time, the location is home to both a house of worship as well as a spring.
Kuta Beach
On the southwestern coast of Lombok, you’ll find the well-known beach of Kuta. It has a beautiful length of white sand and is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills. On the 19th day of the tenth month of the Sasak Lunar Calendar, the annual traditional festival of Nyale fishing celebration takes place. This event draws a large number of people from the surrounding area to the beach. People from the Sasak tribe gather here in order to catch Nyale fish. Rice production will improve if more fish can be captured.
Gunung Rinjani
When compared to the other mountains in the nation, the active volcano Gunung Rinjani, which stands at a height of 3,276 meters, is the second highest peak in Indonesia. In the bottom of the enormous caldera is where you’ll discover a lake that was formed by a crater. This lake, which is known as Segara Anakan, is surrounded by steep cliffs. Hikers and mountaineers looking for an adventure come from all over the globe to this region throughout the year to participate in a variety of different types of adventure sports. On the southern slopes of Mount Rinjani are located two traditional Sasak settlements known as Sembalun Bumbung and Sembulan Lawang.
Gili Air
Gili Air Island is the one that is closest to the mainland and is located in close proximity to the more active Gili Trawangan and the more tranquil Gili Meno. Around one thousand people call the island home, and its length in both directions is around one mile. It is the most beautiful of the three islands, and it is also the one that is most suited for families.
Gili Meno
This deserted island is perfect for those who want to live out their fantasies of becoming Robinson Crusoe. Long sections of beach may be found here, and the most of the time they are devoid of other people. The best places to dive on the island are by far the most popular attractions. Meno Wall, Turtle Point, and Blue Coral Point are a few examples of them.
Gili Trawangan
This is the largest of the three islands, and it is an ideal location for throwing parties due to its size. It has a higher population density than the other two islands combined. When the sun goes down, the island’s seafronts come to life with people enjoying the evening. There are seven well chosen locations where gatherings may be held. The Blue Marlin Dive Center is a well-known destination for vacationers in the area.