The visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Lombok from 19 – 21 October has boosted Lombok’s position as one of the top tourism destinations in Indonesia.
Accompanying the President was Coordinating Minister, Hatta Rajasa, who said that the government’s Accelerated Indonesian Economic Development Master Plan places Bali and Lombok as main gateways for tourism in Indonesia.
Thursday, 30 October 2011, was a red-letter day for Lombok, with the President of Indonesia visiting the island to officially open the new Lombok International Airport (LIA).
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his entourage arrived from Jakarta onboard the Boeing 737 800 ER Presidential Plane.
As we reported in our last issue, DAMRI buses are already operating the route between Senggigi and the new Lombok International Airport.
The 40 seat, air conditioned Mercedes buses have a regular schedule of departures every day and are an easy solution to the 1 and 1/2 hour commute from Senggigi to LIA in Central Lombok.
Indonesia’s local brew, Arak, is again in the news with reports that an Australian woman fell gravely ill after drinking an arak-based cocktail in Lombok.
Jamie Johnston, a 25 year old nurse from Australia, reportedly suffered brain damage and kidney failure after drinking “Jungle Juice”, a local cocktail made with arak and fruit juice. She was flown to Australia and is being treated in hospital there.
Local Lombok-based artists had the chance to display their talent when they took part in a prestigious national art exhibition recently.
“Tepian Masa” is an exhibition of Indonesian artworks that is currently touring throughout Indonesia and was held in Lombok at the NTB Museum (Museum Negeri NTB) from 18 – 23 October, 2011.
Guests from Europe, Bali and Lombok partied at beautiful Villa Jade
to celebrate Clive's birthday and the launch of Asia Prospects new eco development on Gili T
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has asked Indonesians to support Komodo Island its nomination as one of the world’s “New Seven Wonders of Nature”.
The President was officially launching the new Lombok International Airport, when he asked all guests in attendance – and people living in Indonesia in general – to vote for Komodo Island via SMS.
Bird Flu has reportedly hit a number of locations in Lombok and residents have been told to be alert and help prevent it from spreading.
Health Minister, Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, has confirmed that bird flu has infected poultry in Lombok but there are no reports of human bird flu cases in the region.
QUESTION: My husband and I have decided to take a short break on the tropical holiday island of Lombok in an attempt to patch up our marriage. We always end up arguing wherever we go.
I thought the warm romantic nights and a few candlelit dinners might help calm the waters a bit. There are so many new restaurants in Senggigi now it is difficult to decide which one to choose. Do you have any suggestions how my husband and I can stop arguing?
MR FIXER: Going out for a candlelit dinner is always a good idea. I suggest Tuesdays for you and Thursdays for your husband.
The opening of Lombok International Airport, together with the visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and state cabinet ministers from 19 – 21 October, has put Lombok in the spotlight for investment and development as Indonesia’s second main tourism destination.
One tip for a successful walk around vibrant Gili Air is not to do it with your headphones on. Listening to 80’s classics while walking down the narrow roads that wind around the island is a sure-fire way to get a person run over!
It is true that there are no motorised vehicles on the island but there are numerous horse carts and cyclists, all of whom veer side-to-side to avoid the various obstacles – bumps in the road, chickens and the occasional lost tourist.
