NEWS

ISSUE 101

LOMBOK TOP TOURISM GATEWAY!

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.

Lombok is just 35km east of Bali and has stunning beaches, none of the overcrowding and traffic problems of Bali, plus a host of attractions ripe for tourism development such as natural jungles and waterfalls, a dramatic volcano and national park, numerous coral islands and reefs, world class surfing, and the fascinating culture of the indigenous Sasak people. Is it any wonder our “big sister” to the west is worried?

To find out more, pick up a copy of The Lombok Guide from the locations listed on http://www.thelombokguide.com/deadline_publishing.html or visit www.thelombokguide.com and discover the magic of Lombok for yourself… like thousands of others, you’ll be enchanted!

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LOMBOK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OFFICIALLY OPEN

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.

Accompanying the President and First Lady, Ani Yudhoyono, at the opening ceremony were Transportation Minister, AA Mangindaan; Angkasa Pura Managing Director and Chief Commissioner, Tommy Soetomo and Surato Siswodiharjo; former Vice President, Jusuf Kalla (who currently works as an envoy for Komodo National Park); new Tourism Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu; NTB Governor, Zainul Majdi, as well as NTB government and Central Lombok regency officials.

After a short opening speech, the President struck a traditional gong and signed an inscription, marking the official inauguration of Lombok International Airport (known locally as Bandara Internasional Lombok and abbreviated to BIL).

He said that he hoped the facility would help boost the local economy.

“Hopefully the new airport can help improve the economy of the people of West Nusa Tenggara, and, in particular, support the development of international tourism here,” the President told press in the VIP room of the new airport.

He also asked national airport operator, PT Angkasa Pura I, to complete the airport infrastructure and facilities soon, and called on them to make LIA a “green project”.

“And please, tidy up the airport complex soon. Make it green,” the President said.

As a symbol of this statement, the President planted a tree at the side of the 551.8 hectare aerodrome and pledged to donate 10,000 seedlings to be planted around the airport complex.

“The development concept of BIL is a good example, which can be imitated by other provinces. Almost the entire Rp 1 trillion (approx US $117.6 million) of its construction costs were taken up by PT Angkasa Pura and local administrations,” the President said during his address.

The airport was built at a reported cost of Rp 945.9 billion. PT Angkasa Pura funded Rp 795.8 billion, while Rp 11 billion came from the NTB provincial administration, and Rp 40 billion from the Central Lombok regency administration. The airport replaces Selaparang Airport in Mataram.

Located in the Central Lombok village of Tanak Awu, (around 40kms south of the city of Mataram), LIA commenced operating on 1 October, 2011 and in its first weeks of operation has been the subject of much interest from curious local Lombok residents.

From its opening day, thousands of local people from villages in southern, central and eastern Lombok have arrived at the airport daily to watch in fascination as the planes take off and land at the airport.

Some of these people, living in remote traditional villages, had never seen an airplane and the idea of an airport was an unfathomable concept. They arrived in droves – whole families perched on motorbikes or crammed with twenty others into the back of trucks to witness the “modern miracle” for themselves.

Many came well-prepared for a full day’s outing, with mats and sarongs to sit on and picnic baskets full of food for the family. Other enterprising locals quickly cashed in on the crowds by setting up stalls selling drinks and snacks, causing local media to term the airport “Pasar Kaget” or “shock market”.

While the sight of thousands of people crowding into the airport terminal, sitting on the floor picnicking, and lining the chain link fences surrounding the apron and runway had many critical of security at LIA; the reality is that this is an essential part of “socialising” an international airport to Lombok’s indigenous village communities.

There was something endearing about watching the crowds pressed against the fences, cheering every time a plane touched down on the runway and watching in silent awe as the heavy metal aircraft launched into the air.

Of course, in the two days before the President’s arrival, security forces moved in to prevent access to the terminal and the crowds were re-directed to watch from outside the fences.

Billboards and tents were hastily erected to decorate the entrance area and draw attention away from the hectares of raw land and lack of landscaping that surround the hastily completed airport.

Hearing of the enthusiastic reaction of the people from Governor Majdi, President SBY suggested that PT Angkasa Pura construct a recreation area to the side of the airport for the local residents who want to see the planes come and go.

“Education is good, involve them in its development,” said SBY.

The Governor and President also discussed the lengthening of the airport’s runway from its present 2,750 metres to 3,000 metres, as provided in the original airport development plan. The President immediately instructed the Ministry of Communications (MOC), EE Mangindaan, to add the extra 250 metres to the runway as soon as possible.

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• 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.

If you are in Senggigi, you can catch the airport shuttle on the main street in Senggigi at the Galleria shops, between Senggigi Abadi and the Art Markets (and diagonally opposite Asmara Restaurant). A bus shelter is being constructed on the road verge.

Tickets can be purchased onboard the bus and cost just Rp 25 000 per person.

Do not purchase tickets from unscrupulous tour operators who are taking advantage of the lack of information available and trying to overcharge passengers.

DAMRI operate two airport shuttle services – one from Mandalika Terminal in Sweta (city to airport) and the other titled “Pasar Seni” or Art Markets (Senggigi to airport). Return services operate to both depots from the airport. Look for them outside the arrivals terminal at LIA.

Unfortunately, all signage at the depot and sign writing on the buses is in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) but you can recognize the buses by the large DAMRI logo and the words “Angkutan Pemadu Moda Bandara International Lombok” (Lombok International Airport Transport Service) written on the side.

This is a comfortable and economical way to get to and from the airport, as a metered taxi costs around Rp 140 000 from Senggigi. There is also ample space for baggage in the luggage storage compartments under the bus.

The service operates every one and a half hours, from 3.30am to 8.00pm daily. Current departure times from Senggigi are: 3.30 | 5.00 | 6.30 | 8.00 | 9.30 | 11.00 | 12.30 | 14.00 | 15.30 | 17.00 | 18.30 | 20.00

• Senggigi has now got a few outlets that sell a good selection of local and imported foods – saving us a trip into Mataram for food shopping.

One of our best kept secrets is Temptations, on Jalan Palm Raja (the main street in BTN Green Valley). There’s a big selection for such a little shop, such as quality imported meats (Australian Harvey Beef, fillet steaks… I even saw corned beef last week), frozen goods (Schnitzels, meatballs, pies, pastry, ice cream), dairy products (local and imported cheeses, butter, cream, yoghurt), and a good range of canned and packaged goods (sauces, canned vegetables, condiments, muesli, biscuits, flour and baking items).

We also like their bread – especially the sliced brown loaf. White sliced bread, rolls and French sticks are also available. Those familiar with Temptations already love the home made sausage rolls, apple pies and the strange but delicious mini cheesecakes. The cooking service extends to home catering for parties and events, as well as delicious and beautifully decorated cakes made to order. If you haven’t been tempted yet, drop into Temptations or call for info on 693251.

• We also like the way Deli Senggigi is evolving and stocking many products not available in other Senggigi shops. Located next to Rambo Pet Shop in the Galleria shops on Senggigi main street, Deli Senggigi has a good selection of jams and marmalades, teas and coffees, gourmet cooking products, and fresh and dried herbs and spices. Not to mention the delicious cheeses and Lindt chocolates in the fridge! The Deli is now carrying a small range of cooking and home-ware utensils, such as Teflon woks and pans, potato peelers, cotton tea towels and some nice serving dishes.

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BE AWARE OF ARAK RISK

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.

Johnston’s mother, Lyn, told the Sydney Morning Herald her daughter’s test results had shown she suffered methanol toxicity from the alcoholic drink they shared on 20 September. Her mother did not fall ill.

Methanol (or Methyl alcohol) is a toxic chemical compound often used in paints, solvents or as an anti-freeze agent. It is used in Indonesia as a fuel for lanterns.

Arak is an Indonesian drink made from fermented rice wine. It is popular with tourists because it is cheap and quite potent. It is often used in cheap cocktails, or sold as “Arak Attack”, or mixed with honey and lime as “Arak, Madu”.

Methanol should not be confused with Ethanol – a chemical component found in all alcoholic drinks.

Methanol, also known as Methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, is highly dangerous and even a small amount can have a toxic effect. It is metabolized in the body to produce formaldehyde and eventually formic acid. As little as 6-10 ml can cause blindness, coma and even death.

Small amounts of methanol are contained in the “mash” of brewed alcohol as a natural by-product of the fermentation process. Still operators will usually discard the first 50 – 100ml of a brew to prevent the drink from being contaminated. Most alcoholic drinks contain small amounts of methanol, as do many fruit juices and artificially sweetened drinks containing aspartame.

A batch of arak contaminated with methanol and sold in Bali in 2009 killed 25 people, and there have been several other deaths since then. Travel advice issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs for Indonesia contains a warning that foreigners have died after “consuming brand name alcohol or local spirits adulterated with harmful substances.”

Caution should always be exercised when consuming locally made alcoholic drinks. Arak poisoning has occurred in parts of Indonesia including Bali, Lombok and the nearby Gili islands.

The problem, however, is not confined to Indonesia. Three people in Vietnam have died in the past week, reportedly after being poisoned by rice wine, and dozens more have died in previous years. In May 2011, four Russian tour guides died and around 20 other people fell ill after consuming bootleg alcohol tainted with methanol while on holiday in Turkey.

As a general guideline, travellers should avoid locally brewed drinks sold on the side of the road and in cheap bars and restaurants. Be cautious of cheap cocktails, particularly ones with local names, “free welcome drinks” (which often contain arak and fruit juice) and avoid binge drinking. Cocktails sold in up-market bars and restaurants, where bottled and brand-name liquors are sold, are usually safe. If in doubt, watch your drink being made or stick to bottled drinks such as beer and wine that can be opened in front of you.

The initial symptoms of Methyl alcohol / methanol intoxication include headache, dizziness, nausea, problems with eyesight, central nervous system depression, lack of co-ordination and confusion.

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LOCAL ARTISTS IN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

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.

“Tepian Masa” is Bahasa Indonesia and means “Age of Time”. The artists exhibiting works came from Bali, Lombok and NTT (Nusa Tenggara Timur, or the islands east of Lombok and Sumbawa).

The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery (Galeri Nasional) and the NTB Museum and aims to raise appreciation of the arts in Bali, Lombok and NTT especially, and in Indonesia in general; not just for the artists but also for the public.

Attending the opening night on 18 October, the Head of Tourism and Culture NTB said he was proud of the quality of the art on display, and encouraged businesses and residents to support local artists. A local government rule is that all hotels and restaurants in the region are required to feature displays of artworks from Lombok and NTB.

Artwork from well known local artists Karyana and I Nengah Kisid were featured at the exhibition.

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LOCAL SCENE

Clive's Birthday @ Villa Jade

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

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SUPPORT KOMODO ISLAND!

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.

“Let’s all type KOMODO and send it to 9818,” the President said during the event, which was also attended by former Vice President, Jusuf Kalla.

Kalla has been named a special envoy to Komodo Island, tasked with gathering support for Komodo in the ongoing selection process for the New7Wonders of Nature.

Kalla had already been campaigning for SMS support for Komodo, a small island near Flores in East Nusa Tenggara that is one of the last remaining habitats of Komodo dragons.

New7Wonders of Nature is an initiative started in 2007 to create a list of seven natural wonders chosen by people through a global poll. It is being led by Canadian-Swiss Bernard Weber and organized by the New7Wonders Foundation, a Swiss-based, government-controlled foundation. Komodo Island is one of the 28 Official Finalists in the competition.

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BIRD FLU ALERT BUT NO HUMAN CASES

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.

The Health Ministry is closely collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture to curb the avian influenza problem. Lombok authorities have moved quickly to isolate infected birds and to spray contaminated areas where deaths have occurred.

Minister Endang urged poultry farmers to improve hygiene and to prevent the spread of the virus to humans. Efforts to prevent infections were important, such as avoiding contact with poultry whenever possible, always washing hands with soap, and keeping children away from dead chickens.

“We must wash our hands after touching poultry. This simple thing is the most effective way to prevent influenza, including bird flu,” she said.

Two children from Bangli District, Bali Province, died this month from bird flu (H5N1) at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar.

In Lombok, four people suspected of suffering from avian influenza have tested negative for the virus, but continue to be treated at Mataram General Hospital.

Preliminary tests performed in the provincial capital Mataram were negative for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, but doctors are waiting on further tests from Jakarta before giving the patients the all-clear. The visual convention reaction test conducted on the patients using DNA samples took six to 12 hours and showed negative results for avian influenza.

The patients are all from Central Lombok district and live within a kilometre of each other. Health authorities were quick to act when they became ill, given that many birds and chickens had died suddenly in the area over the past few weeks.

Lombok was first alerted of a potential bird flu outbreak in the first week of October, when residents of Pringgarata and Praya Barat, in Central Lombok, reported to officials that hundreds of their seemingly healthy chickens were suddenly dying.

In the small Central Lombok village of Semayan, 45 kilometers east of Lombok’s capital, Mataram, as many as 350 families raise chickens for food and income, with each family owning between 30 and 60 chickens.

Residents panicked when their chickens started dying en masse, but they failed to take precautions with infected birds and were observed in close contact with both live and dead chickens. Some villagers reported killing and eating birds that had become ill.

After the villagers reported the illnesses, the provincial Animal Diseases Eradication Team sprayed disinfectant, took blood samples from the sick birds and took steps to quarantine bird transport out of the affected areas.

To date nearly 1,000 chickens have been reported to have died in both areas, with potential outbreaks reported in 17 different areas, causing Mataram City Government to issue a bird flu alert.

On Friday, 17 October, officials added another 10 locations to the list of villages with suspected bird flu outbreaks, according to Drh Dian Riatmoko, Head of Animal Husbandry at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Marine Mataram.

“We have taken samples from chickens that died suddenly at 10 new locations, to be sent to the laboratory in Denpasar,” he said. “However, because many areas in Lombok, Bali and NTT have also sent samples of chickens that died suddenly, the laboratory is overwhelmed and has asked the government of Mataram to be patient waiting for test results.”

“From the observations on the field at 17 locations, we can conclude that some sites have already started to subside and there is a decrease in the number of chickens that have died suddenly,” he added.

He emphasised the need for vigilance, as the human death rate from H5N1 is still around 70-80 percent. The National Health Ministry has prepared 100 hospitals throughout Indonesia to handle bird flu cases, which have killed 10 people this year – a significant decrease from the previous years, when tens of people died.

Although bird flu kills more than half the people it infects, the number of fatalities is still low because so few people have had bird flu. According to the World Health Organization, a few hundred people have died of bird flu since 2003. In contrast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that seasonal influenza is responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year in the United States alone.

Bird Flu Symptoms (by Mayo Clinic staff)
Signs and symptoms of bird flu typically begin within two to five days of infection. In most cases, they resemble those of conventional influenza, including cough, fever, sore throat, and muscle aches. Some people also experience nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea. In a few cases, a mild eye infection (conjunctivitis) is the only indication of the disease.

When to seek medical advice
See your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, cough and body aches, and have recently travelled to a part of the world where bird flu occurs. Be sure to let your doctor know if you visited any farms or open-air markets.

Prevention
Bird flu occurs naturally in wild waterfowl and can spread into domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird’s feces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes.

Open-air markets, where eggs and birds are sold in crowded and unsanitary conditions, are hotbeds of infection and can spread the disease into the wider community. Avoid domesticated birds. If possible, avoid rural areas, small farms and open-air markets.

Wash your hands. This is one of the simplest and best ways to prevent infections of all kinds. When travelling, alcohol-based hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol are an excellent choice – they are effective, easy to use, don’t require water and are safe for children.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, bird flu cannot be transmitted by eating properly cooked poultry meat or eggs from infected birds. Poultry meat is safe to eat if cooked until the juices run clear or to an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). Eggs should be cooked until the yolk and white are firm.

Steer clear of raw eggs. Because eggshells are often contaminated with bird droppings, avoid mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, ice cream, and any other foods containing raw or undercooked eggs.
Take precautions when handling and preparing poultry, which is often contaminated with salmonella or other harmful bacteria. Avoid cross-contamination. Carefully wash cutting boards, utensils and all surfaces that have come into contact with raw poultry in hot, soapy water.

The greatest risk factor for bird flu seems to be contact with sick birds or with surfaces contaminated by their feathers, saliva or droppings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a handful of cases of limited human-to-human transmission of bird flu. But unless the virus begins to spread more easily among people, infected birds or associated material presents the greatest hazard.

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MR FIXER (Tongue-in-cheek answers to your personal and building problems)

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.

QUESTION: My wife and I have been living on the idyllic holiday island of Lombok for a few years now, since I retired from my hectic corporate life in Europe. We have bought a small villa with a sea view and a small garden, and delight in hosting dinner parties for the many friends we have made on this happy island of ex pats. 

Sometimes we employ a butler chef who, although extremely helpful, seems to take over the show and always ends up dominating the whole evening with his show-off dishes and party tricks. My wife seems to be attracted to him and allows him to get away with it. 

My wife is a great cook and I help out as best I can in the kitchen with simple tasks such as vegetable chopping and washing up. My eyesight is not what it used to be and I sometimes end up cutting myself when slicing vegetables. Do you have any suggestions how I can avoid injuring myself?

MR FIXER: Yes. Get the butler to hold the vegetables while you chop.

QUESTION: I have suspected for some time now that my wife is cheating on me. There have been ALL the usual signs. If the phone rings and I answer, the caller hangs up abruptly. She also goes out with the girls a lot. I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home, but I end up falling asleep. 
Last night, I hid behind the boat in the garden until the early hours. When she finally came home, she got out of a taxi buttoning up her blouse. Then she took her panties out of her handbag and slipped them back on! It was at that moment, crouched behind the boat, that I noticed a hairline crack in the outboard engine mounting bracket. Is that something I can weld or should I replace it?

MR FIXER: It really depends if it is galvanized steel or chromed brass. Usually most useless irritating cracks need to be replaced. Filling one almost always leads to additional expense later.

QUESTION: My girlfriend said she was leaving me because of my obsession with the 60’s singing group, The Monkees. At first I thought she was joking… and then I saw her face. She is also fed up with the constant arguments about my leaving the toilet seat up.  How can I avoid these arguments in future?

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PRESIDENTIAL VISIT PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH LOMBOK

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.

At the Presidential visit, Coordinating Minister Hatta Rajasa said that the Mandalika resort development project was in line with the Accelerated Indonesian Economic Development Master Plan (MPPPEI), which places Bali and Nusa Tenggara as main gateways for tourism.

The construction of the new airport is a direct attempt by the national and provincial governments to open Lombok up to international travellers and, together with the “Visit Lombok Sumbawa 2012” campaign hopes to attract 1 million visitors to the island in the next two years.

Lombok International Airport (LIA) is reported to be able to handle larger aircraft, such as Boeing 747 and Airbus 320, and is designed to handle up to 3 million passengers per year.

At the centre of this development attention is the Mandalika resort area, which was previously slated for a US $600 million development by United Arab Emirates group, Emaar Properties.

The Mandalika resort area spans 1,175 hectares and is located on the south coast of Lombok, less than 30 minutes drive from the new international airport. Its coastline, facing the Indian Ocean, boasts 7.5 kilometres of fine white-sand beaches and unpolluted azure waters. The area is slated to become Indonesia’s new premier destination.

Officiating at the ground-breaking ceremony on 21 October, the President said that investors, especially those involved in developing the Mandalika resort area, must be really serious in investing their money there.

In his speech, SBY said that not all provinces in Indonesia have the uniqueness and superiority of attractions as the Mandalika Resort area.

“Mandalika beach beauty is a blessing that should not be wasted and should be developed for the welfare of the people. It would be a loss if this great tourism potential is not utilized,” he said.

NTB Governor, Zainul Majdi, told press at the ceremony that the Mandalika Resort development had been a dream of the government since 1990. Since that time, the only major hotel built in the region was the Novotel Lombok.

“Now, however, hotels, restaurants and other tourism businesses are springing up in the region,” he said. “Already there are many investors who want to invest in the region, especially at Mandalika Resort and Tanjung Aan.”

He publicly urged Coordinating Minister Hatta to officially list Mandalika as a Special Economic Zone (KEK), which would entitle the area to receive financial support in developing infrastructure and facilities.
In 2010, the Mandalika area was slated to become a mega-development project with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the government and Emaar Properties. The deal later fell through with accusations of failure to fulfill agreements from both sides.

Amidst local controversy, Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) – the board responsible for the development of Nusa Dua in Bali – was given the authority to handle development of the Mandalika area. BTDC still holds rights over the land.

However, according to recent local media reports, the DPRD NTB (regional parliament) has officially sent a letter to President SBY rejecting future management of the region by BTDC.

A Special Committee for the Acceleration of Handling Mandalika Resort, deliberately formed with the aim to safeguard NTB Parliament's decision, requested that management rights be returned to the provincial NTB government, saying they were disappointed with BTDC and did not see significant developments in the area to date.

Meanwhile, The Jakarta Post reported on 15 October 2011 that a consortium is planning to build an amusement park similar to Disneyland in the tourism area of Mandalika.

According to the national newspaper, the project is a joint investment of several companies including Rajawali Group (the owner of Novotel Hotel on Aan Beach), a Taiwan investor aiming to develop healthy tourism, and Media Nusantara Citra, which will be in charge of the theme park development.

Whatever the case, there can be little doubt that the south coast of Lombok is now a prime area for investment and development.

With kilometre after kilometre of breathtakingly beautiful coastline broken into picturesque bays, deserted beaches and awe-inspiring cliff tops – and with an international airport now only 20 minutes or so away – the south coast is an investor’s dream come true.

Rosalie and Julian Dobson are a New Zealand couple who were quick to see the potential of the area and now own “Kuta Heights”, a residential development on the hill overlooking the Kuta coastline.
“We came for a holiday to Bali and found it too crowded,” said Rosalie. “A Dutchman overheard us talking about somewhere less busy and suggested we try Lombok. We arrived in Kuta Lombok and it was love at first sight!

We knew that a new airport was going to open sometime in the next year or so and it was clear to us this would become a first class destination within a short time. 

The locals are amazing hard working and helpful people. Once they realised we were there to make Kuta our home their reaction was great.

There are many difficulties: language, cultural differences, expectations are all different and you have to leave your “western mindset” at home if you want to cope. There are many pitfalls, one major one being tourists taking up offers of cheap land that seem “too good to be true”, only to find out that it was too good to be true and they have parted money for land that will never be theirs. 

Even things we would think of as simple are often complicated there. A lot more talking and discussion goes on before things are done. You need good counsel in Lombok; people you know you can trust. Just because someone calls themselves a lawyer or notary does not make them trustworthy. The rule in Lombok seems to be that if you were stupid enough to hand your money over without checking or getting the job done first, then more fool you!

We started our business because we decided we wanted to build a home in Kuta and the things we needed were not available. We wanted someone to help build, someone to oversee the place when we were not in residence, good security and the grounds kept for us. None of these services were available locally.

We really wanted to stay here, so we decided to form a company and do it ourselves, and then make ourselves available so that others could follow. That is what Kuta Heights offers and what sets us apart. We are a company willing to do some hand-holding to help people realise a dream.

We have our first homes being built early next year. The people that are investing have done so because they know they are building on certificated land with people who will be there to oversee things when they are not able to and with people who they know can take care of the house when they are not there; to rent it out if they wish or just make sure it stays shipshape for their return. 

Kuta Lombok is stunningly beautiful, relatively unspoiled and just a 20min flight from Bali. The feedback is great – all the investors are saying they can’t lose. With a new international airport open, a 20 minute drive from Kuta that will shortly bring passengers straight from Australia, Singapore and other destinations, directly to us in Lombok. This beautiful place attracted them and, now that Kuta has the infrastructure, people they know will be coming in growing numbers.

Where else in the world can people buy a block of land and build a lovely home for the small amounts you can (at present) in Kuta? The future is looking very rosy for all in the southern region and I am really happy we are part of that!”

These sentiments are echoed by Lee Pappernow, of Big Island Property Group. Lee is a licensed real estate broker from the US who has two development projects in Kuta – “Tanjung Ocean View” and “Bukit 2” development – as well as other projects in Lombok and luxury vacation rentals in Bali.

“My wife Mariah and I came to Bali years ago to spend time with our daughter Jana and her Sumatran husband, Indra, and their then newborn child,” Lee said. “I love real estate investing, building and development, and am always looking for new opportunities.  When our trips to Indonesia became more frequent I began investing in Bali.

I later realised that, although there were many opportunities there, the Bali market was saturated with villas, land offerings and sellers; all vying for shrinking market shares in a very competitive environment, with sky-rocketing prices.

I began to search out other investment opportunities and realised that the Kuta area on the south coast of Lombok best met my investment criteria, as: 

1) Kuta, Lombok still has very low prices (only 5% to 25% of the cost of comparable Bali land, yet it’s only 20 minutes away by plane);

2) Lombok’s South Coast is in the path of immediate growth and government officials have vowed to invest heavily in the area’s infrastructure and improvement in order to increase tourism and development; 

3) the planned and now opened BIL airport, located 20 minutes from Kuta, finally enables direct flights from Asia and Europe to Lombok, further increasing tourism;

4) there is a massive 12,000 hectare “mega resort development” planned for the area (“The Mandalika Resort, Lombok”) which is now actively being promoted by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (“BTDC”) – the organization importantly responsible for developing the Nusa Dua area of Bali; 

5) Kuta enjoys steadily increasing tourism from Europe, Australia, Singapore and other locales;

6) South Lombok is a much sought-after area for surfers and beach enthusiasts, due to its numerous world-class surf breaks, pristine reefs and white sand beaches; and finally,

7) the area is beautiful, unspoiled, and has all the components needed for “next Bali” growth.

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GILI AIR

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.

I learned this lesson while I was looking for the “H2O Yoga and Meditation Centre”. There are signs dotted all across the island advertising the place and I believed I was doing okay until one sign directed me into a field full of cows. I initially thought that this was a shortcut until I found myself in the garden of a rather shocked local resident.

I quickly left the garden and field – I am not a fan of cows – and five minutes later I found H2O. From the sign at the entrance, I learned that they offer two classes a day: 10am -11.30am and 5.30pm - 7pm. The classes cater for all levels and cost Rp 100,000. If you pay in advance you get four sessions for the price of three and ex-pats and locals get the classes for half price.

The temperature on the island feels like it has doubled over the last few days and there is still no sign of the much-needed rain. This was why I turned up at the centre at 3pm, rather than at class time: the day felt far too warm for me to risk being talked into exercise by what I imagined would be an enthusiastic and unnaturally flexible Yoga teacher!

Unfortunately, my lazy cowardice meant that I have little more I can tell you about the centre. I ventured inside and found a friendly young lady who told me that she had arrived that morning, but who wasn’t sure who ran the centre and I should perhaps call back when a class is on.

The place looked impressive from the short time I was there. It has a large Yoga Station that dominates the centre. The station has a rather circus-ring feel to it; round, with a blue floor and big top-style roof. It sits in quiet gardens, which I am sure are great for meditation.

I would like to know more about the place and, perhaps take part in a Yoga session – so as soon as I feel brave enough, I will go and report back.

Relaxation still on my mind, I wandered back towards the sea and found myself at “The Natural Spa”. I think on an island like Gili Air it’s important to take time out during the quieter months; to recharge your batteries before tourism picks back up in a few weeks’ time.  Currently, it feels like the island is deserted so, if you want a beach or a dive boat to yourself, head to Gili Air now.

Back at The Natural Spa, I met a cheery Indonesian man called Agung who introduced me to his wife, Linda. The spa has only been open for just over three months and Agung said that it’s doing very well. I can understand why – the place looks great!

The therapy rooms are bright and spotlessly clean and the prices are very reasonable. Plus, they open from 9am until 10pm which is great for all the tourists after a busy day of diving.

I’m not really a massage person – I feel it is unfair to inflict my body on other people – but I do like having my feet massaged. The cost is Rp 60,000 for thirty minutes, which is great value. Again, I will have to report back on the quality of massage, as new flip-flops have maimed my feet right now and I chose not to inflict them on even the most willing masseur.

Agung said that his wife was the chief therapist and she had two ladies working with her; they too were very friendly and full of smiles. They offer a range of therapies including Hot Stone Massage (Rp 150,000 for 90 mins), and traditional Balinese massage (Rp 100,000 for one hour). This and all the therapies here use natural ingredients including Aloe Vera – a lovely succulent that produces a thick aromatic oil. Many are freshly picked out of the centre’s garden.

The year-round activity and prime reason to visit the Gilis is, of course, the diving.

In this last two weeks, we have gone from waves large enough to rattle even the most hardened diving instructor to a glassy calm; conditions that I’m sure are greatly influenced by the recent full moon.

Not only does the full moon impact on the tides, making them feel unpredictable (though a good tide table would, of course say, otherwise), but the moon also seems to make the fish behave strangely.
It’s almost like the marine life takes on a new attitude. Perhaps this is due to breeding patterns or, maybe, the rich nutrients that wash into the area at this time – bringing in Pelagics and the huge Bump Head Parrot fish that were seen, close-up, on several dives over this last week. 

But it was a little more than that; some fish seemed to be almost chilling out, taking time for a clean, and lying on the reefs. It looked most peculiar!

If you’re here for the next full moon, see if you can spot what I mean. Plus, if you’re really brave, do a night dive at the full moon; it can get really strange!

Talking of strange, there is an expensive-looking sailboat that’s beached on the reef here. I have asked around and so far have only heard rumours of why it’s still there. Hopefully, for my next column it’s either gone, or I have more details – exciting times on Gili Air!

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