Lombok is an island that lies between the islands of Bali and Sumbawa . Tourists are drawn by the great rainforests, the idyllic climate, and the wide sandy beaches. Lombok is also a destination that tends to be much quieter than the bustling island of Bali .
Most of Lombok’s visitors are Australians and Western Europeans . Traditionally the island was visited by backpackers between 18-35 years old, but in recent years families are taking over the large resorts that are being built.
Lombok has a number of beaches that dot the island. The Senggigi and Kuta hotel chains have very nice stretches of sand. The best beaches are in the northwest on the Gili Islands . In Gili the beaches are virgin and there are hardly any facilities. Only white sand and swaying palm trees are found. Rinjani National Park is very popular with hikers and climbers, with the ascent of its impressive volcano . A number of companies offer guided tours of the park, which is the safest way to explore the nature of the area.
The shops on the island are equipped with their air conditioners that allow tourists to shop in a pleasant way. The beaches also attract street vendors selling everything from fake designer sunglasses to fake watches. There are also markets in Senggigi, Kuta, and Selong . The traditional wooden crafts will be a good memory of this trip.