NEWS

ISSUE 104

LOMBOK FOR CHRISTMAS!

It’s our favourite time of the year and the Christmas parties have already started in Lombok. Our hotels are reporting high occupancies and the festive season looks like being a busy time on our beautiful island.

With a bumper 92 pages in this special Christmas issue, we feature the best choices of where and how to celebrate Christmas in Lombok, starting on page 10.

To find out more, pick up a copy of The Lombok Guide from the locations listed on page 48 or visit www.thelombokguide.com and discover the magic of Lombok for yourself… like thousands of others, you’ll be enchanted!

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

To all our clients and readers around the world, we wish you a happy and safe Christmas and all the joys of the season!

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COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS!

Wondering where to spend Christmas? Must have your traditional turkey dinner? Where to get the best Christmas gifts? Or how to stock the pantry with Christmas treats? In this issue we bring you the best ideas for celebrating Christmas on Lombok!

Christmas is a special time for sharing with family and friends, enjoying great traditional foods and relaxing in comfortable surroundings. Below are the best places for Christmas dining:

Asmara Restaurant is a favourite with both visitors and expats celebrating Christmas together and will be holding its popular Christmas Brunch Buffet again this year, starting from 12.00 noon on Christmas Day. Sakinah has put together a delicious menu of Creamy Lobster Soup, Stuffed Turkey with Gravy and Cranberry Sauce, Spiced Red Cabbage, Cauliflower & Broccoli Cheese, Roast Potatoes and more.

Finish with Cheesecake, Apple Pie, and Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream for dessert and complimentary tea or coffee.

At 1.30 pm, guests will be entertained by a fabulous children’s gospel choir from Ampenan singing carols to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. There will also be a lucky draw after the choir.
Price is all inclusive at just Rp 175,000 per adult, Rp 50,000 for children up to 12, and no charge for infants up to 6 years old.

Christmas at Asmara is very popular and numbers are limited, so tickets should be purchased in advance to ensure your place! Book now on: 693 619

Qunci Villas has a well-deserved reputation for quality dining in a fabulous beachfront location. The stylish Quali Restaurant at Qunci Pool Villas presents a Christmas Set Dinner on 25 December from 7.00pm. Price is US $60++ per person including a complimentary glass of Christmas Cocktail, a glass of red or white wine, and traditional Sasak Dance entertainment.

The 4-course menu includes Warm Chicken and Mixed Greens Salad, French Onion Soup with Garlic Bread and Gruyere Cheese, and a choice of either Grilled Beef Steak with Mashed Potatoes, Fruits Salsa and steamed vegetables, or Pan Fried Salmon Fillet served with Tomato Steamed Rice, Steamed Vegetables, Carrot Jam and Pesto Sauce. For dessert, enjoy Traditional Christmas Pudding with vanilla ice cream and rum butter sauce, and tea or coffee. Bookings are highly recommended on 693 800.

The feast at the Holiday Resort on Christmas Eve is always excellent value and the Heavenly Christmas Eve Gala Dinner on 24 December looks to be a winner this year too!

The festive buffet includes a huge selection, such as Ensalada de Noche Buena (roasted turkey, beetroot, orange and apple with pomegranate dressing), Peach and Pasta with Smoked Marlin Salad, Avocado Prawn Cocktail, Antipasti and salads, Cajun Fish Fillets, Lamb Kofka,  Seafood Ravioli, as well as various chicken and beef dishes.

From the Carvery Station, feast on Roast Turkey with cranberry sauce and giblet gravy, Beef Wellington and all the traditional accompaniments.

There’s an equally large selection of delicious desserts (Traditional Christmas Pudding, Yule Log Cake, Crème Brulee, Chocolate Eclairs, a Gingerbread Christmas House and much more) all specially prepared by the creative bakery team at Holiday Resort.

While dining, be entertained by a live quartet playing popular acoustic tunes. Bring the family – this Christmas buffet is excellent value at only Rp 150 000 ++! Phone: 693444 for reservations.

If you are staying in the south of the island, the Novotel Lombok is the only place to celebrate the festive season in style! Enjoy a day of fine food, wine and entertainment at Novotel Lombok this Christmas with a sumptuous seafood buffet in Spice Market Restaurant or dine in the tranquil surroundings of Vue Restaurant.

Guests can choose from a Gourmet Christmas Buffet in the Spice Market Restaurant, right on the sands of beautiful Mandalika Beach, or upgrade to a truly unique Christmas Lunch at Vue Restaurant, overlooking the upper pool and the magnificent beaches of South Kuta. Vue Restaurant offers a four course table d’hote menu. Each Christmas Luncheon will commence at 12.00 noon and conclude at 2.30pm.

In order to create a memorable occasion for all, there are a limited number of seats available for each venue. To reserve your booking for Christmas Day, email hotel@novotellombok.com for menus, pricing and the booking form.

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING IDEAS

With only one mall, Christmas shopping in the past has been a bit limited but we now have a good selection of specialty stores offering a great selection of gift ideas, Christmas goodies and treats to make the festive season special!

Quite a few shops in the Mataram Mall are getting into the Christmas spirit this year, with several of the toy shops on the ground floor carrying Christmas decorations and gift ideas. Giraf, near Hero Supermarket, also has some cute miniature Christmas trees already decorated, while Tiara Department Store and Delta Homewares on the first floor have a larger selection of trees and decorations.

There are a huge range of gift ideas in the Mall, such as copy designer bags and shoes, CD’s and DVD’s at Planet Disc on the 1st floor, jeans and trendy fashions at Tiara and the numerous specialty shops, as well as surf gear, computers and accessories, camera stores, toy shops and more.

In Senggigi, we are also spoilt for choice. If you can’t think of what to buy, why not pick up a gift voucher from Royal Spa for a relaxing massage, facial, or reflexology treatment… ideal gifts for him or her!

Ciokolata Boutique, next to Senggigi Jaya Supermarket on the main street, is a popular choice for the ladies, with a great range of designer resort wear and eye-catching accessories. At the moment, the boutique has a lovely selection of tops, shorts, miniskirts and pretty dresses – perfect for festive season parties.

Just next to Ciokolata, Delasan has a large range of beach wear, clothing, hats, sun glasses, bags, sandals and accessories. There are also gift packaged local snacks and sweets, such as dodol (made from dried fruits), which make a nice gift when visiting people at home over the holidays.

Mawar Jewellery, which recently opened in the Senggigi Plaza near Warung Kangen, has a beautiful range of jewellery, with some unique pearl designs and probably the best selection of semi-precious gemstones in Lombok. Gift ideas range from inexpensive fashion pieces to quality jewellery, with settings in either genuine silver or 18ct gold. Bracelets, rings and pendants are individually hand-made and there are some very beautiful designs using amethyst, topaz, citrine and other gems.

Anna’s Gift Shop, in the Galleria Shops just south of the Art Markets, is another place to pick up unique, one-of-a-kind gifts. There’s an impressive range of jewellery, especially some lovely genuine pearl pieces and trendy pearl shell designs, as well as silver jewellery in many styles. Other gift ideas include inexpensive sarongs, woven place mats and baskets, wooden handicrafts and statues. This great little shop is well-known for unique statues, hand painted and lacquered, which combine traditional styles with a contemporary twist… highly collectible and a memorable gift for someone special.

Also in the Galleria shops is Deli Senggigi, which stocks an increasingly eclectic collection of hard-to-find items for discerning shoppers. In addition to some delicious cheeses and gourmet goodies to fill the fridge over Christmas, there are soft and stylish Pashminas; jars of imported jams; seeded mustard; jars of herbs and spices; specialty teas; a good range of creamy Lindt chocolates and – my personal favourite – beautifully scented Yardley Old English Lavender, Jasmine and Sandalwood gift soaps.

If you have a furry friend at home, don’t forget to pop into Rambo Pet Shop (right next door to Deli Senggigi) for some doggy treats for Christmas, or maybe a new lead and collar, or a cute toy for the kittens. Furbabies love Christmas too!

Slightly further north, the Art Markets (Pasar Seni) has three wonderful little shops bursting with gift ideas: The Little Shop, Treasure Chest and Exotic Style.

Exotic Style has lots of lovely things for ladies, including a small selection of resort wear and nice sarongs, some lovely fashionable bags, and loads of accessories to suit all budgets.

Treasure Chest has a great range of handicrafts and home-wares, including fine wood items, pottery and ceramics, and distinctive art objects. There are even some lovely Christmas décor pieces, such as carved reindeer and angels to decorate your home for Christmas.

The Little Shop is filled with great gift choices ranging from wooden bowls, shells, bronze work, statues and more, to soft chiffon scarves and accessories. Something for everyone!

Further north, up in Mangsit, Puri Mas Gallery at Puri Mas Boutique Resort has some really special pieces, if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary. The Gallery houses a small but fine selection of antiques and collectibles from around the archipelago, as well as some beautiful hand-crafted jewellery by Italian designer, Mariella Pillato. Also check out the eye-catching pieces of unusually-shaped coloured glassware – stunning bowls and art pieces to brighten any home.

Lastly, our favourite local delicatessen, Temptations – on Jl Palm Raja (the main road into BTN Green Valley, directly opposite Café Alberto) – is already stocking up with delicious goodies for the festive season. Get in early to order your Christmas turkey and hams (they will even cook it for you!) A new selection of imported cheeses has just arrived, including some delicious Roquefort and layered specialty cheeses, and the fridges are stocked with smoked marlin, smoked salmon, lamb, deli meats and more. This is also the place for cranberry or mint sauces, gravy mixes, mustards and all the imported condiments that used to be so hard to find in Lombok.

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• Kudos to Scallywags on Gili Trawangan, who put on the first ever Comedy Night in the Gili Islands on Friday 9th December.

Comedy clubs are very popular entertainment in both Bali and Jakarta and attract international comediennes and stand-up comics to perform to crowds at many venues in Bali with great success.

The event at Scallywags was put on by the ''Punchline Comedy Club'' and was compered by Dennis Sweeney from the Original Bali Comedy Club.

Headlining the evening was British female Black Comedienne, Gina Ycomedienneashere, an acclaimed UK comedienne who frequently receives TV coverage of her shows. Gina also performed at Echo Beach, in Canggu, Bali on Wednesday, 7 December, before travelling to Lombok.

It’s wonderful to see Gili Trawangan moving forward in other directions and being driven by the innovative Scallywags Resort Brand.

• If you’re looking for something very special for your loved one for Christmas, take advantage of the newly opened AUTORE Pearl Farm Tours to make a leisurely trip up the scenic coast to Teluk Nara.

After taking an interesting tour of the pearl farm and learning about the pearl farming process, surprise her with a precious pearl or a gorgeous piece from AUTORE’s range of exclusive jewellery on display at the showroom in Teluk Nara. It’s a gift to treasure forever and she’ll adore you for it! See our special feature on page 22.

• Coffee features for Christmas, with Café Lombi in Senggigi Square offering our readers the chance to sample the most exclusive coffee in the world for half the normal price!

The “Kopi Luwak Christmas Real Deal", is available from 12 December until 31 December and guests can enjoy a freshly brewed cup of this exclusive, smoky and fruity coffee at only Rp 65,000 per cup. Café Lombi are also offering 15% discount on their 50g Souvenir Packages of this famous coffee…  a lovely Christmas present for every coffee lover!

• The Berugaq Coffee House and Gallery, on Jl Adi Sucipto in Ampenan (between the old Selaparang Airport and Kebun Roek markets), also has coffee in mind. Stop by on your way to and from town to purchase a “Coffee Lovers Gift Pack” or perhaps snap up an original artwork by local artists, on display at the gallery.

While there enjoy a cup of this month’s special brew: “Gingerbread Latte”. Inspired by the festive season, and reminiscent of warm gingerbread fresh from the oven, it’s a perfect indulgence on a rainy day!

• We hate to blow our own trumpet but we can’t help but be excited about the success of our website! www.thelombokguide.com is the largest and most popular resource on the worldwide web today, with around 80 national and international visits every day.

Since it was first uploaded in February 2008, our website has been visited by over 50 000 people!
A quick glance at our site meter analysis shows visitors from as far away as Mammoth Lakes, California; Salisbury, UK; Honolulu, Hawaii; Ervick, Norway; Zurich, Switzerland; Drenthe, The Netherlands; Shenzhen, China; Victoria, Australia; and many more international locations. That’s a lot of people around the world interested in Lombok! Visit us on the web at: www.thelombokguide.com

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AUTORE PEARL FARM… Showcasing Lombok’s Pearl Industry

Lombok is famous for its pearls and the island is often referred to as “Pearl Island”, attracting buyers from all over Indonesia and the rest of the world to purchase these beautiful and precious “gems of the sea”.

One of the first things visitors to Lombok notice is the sellers on the streets and the beach offering strings of pearls for sale at prices that seem too cheap to be believed.

Many people assume they must be fake copies, but this is usually not so. The pearls for sale on the streets are real; however, they are not quality gems and, rather than being Lombok pearls, are mostly cheap stock imported from China by astute Chinese traders who live in Lombok.

True Lombok pearls are a different matter altogether and, while sizes and quality vary, there are some very nice pearls to be purchased here and bargains to be had for those who know how to identify a quality pearl.

South Sea pearls are farmed in both Lombok and Sumbawa, (the island to the east of Lombok), and are becoming an important industry for the two islands.

The pearl industry in Lombok also has excellent tourism possibilities, with the potential to attract pearl traders from around the world, as well as tourists interested in pearl production and pearl farm tours.

The pearling capital of Broome, in Western Australia, for example, holds an annual Festival of the Pearl, or Shinju Matsuri, which has become a major 10 day international event and attracts thousands of buyers and tourists to the town every year.

This undeveloped potential is being taken seriously by industry leader, AUTORE, which has pearl farms in Lombok, Sumbawa and West Java, in addition to their main operations in Australia.

Founded in 1991, and renowned for quality, innovation, uniqueness and style, the AUTORE Group is one of the largest South Sea pearl companies in the world.

Distributing South Sea pearls to the world’s most prestigious jewellery houses and wholesalers, AUTORE’s loose pearl sales now account for a large proportion of the total global production of white South Sea pearls in terms of value, making it one of the largest distributors of South Sea pearls in the world.

As an adjunct to their pearling operations in Lombok, AUTORE have now developed a visitors’ centre and showroom at their pearl farm located in the calm bay of Teluk Nara on Lombok’s west coast.

The official opening of the AUTORE Visitors Centre and Showroom took place on Sunday, 4 December 2011 and was attended by a large crowd of hotel operators, tour agents and tourism industry representatives, as well as government authorities from Provincial and North Lombok governments, the tourism department and fisheries ministry.

Guests were given a tour of the farm and facilities and entertained with a fashion show by beautiful Lombok ladies modelling the distinctive AUTORE pearl jewellery.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, government spokespeople said that the pearl farm tours were a first for Lombok and a welcome addition to the tourism industry.

“This initiative by Autore is exactly what Lombok needs and suits the concept of Lombok as a centre for the pearl industry in Indonesia,” they said.

This initiative is similar to visitors’ centres located in major pearling centres throughout the world. The success of these centres, such as the Willie Creek Pearl Farm in Broome, is a boon for local tourism. Willie Creek is one of the most popular tourist attractions for the West Australian pearling town and hosts around 20 000 visitors per year.

Perched over the waters of the bay, the AUTORE showroom has views of the dramatic Rinjani mountain range on the mainland, and to the east, over the buoys of the pearl farm to the three Gili Islands, floating in the sparkling sea and just minutes away.

Guests visiting the AUTORE Pearl Farm have the opportunity to discover how the rare and beautiful South Sea pearls are produced in Lombok, with knowledgeable guides explaining the intricate processes of modern cultured pearl farming – from how the oysters are seeded, the growing process, harvesting and grading the pearls, through to the end result – the stunning pearls on display in their showroom.

Precious loose pearls or striking jewellery set in white and yellow gold, with the distinctive and unique designs for which AUTORE is famous, glow with a life of their own and make a beautiful gift for that special someone, or a lasting memento of a visit to Lombok.

After your tour, relax with a refreshing drink at the small café within the visitors centre and enjoy the sea breezes coming off the ocean.

The visitors centre is just offshore at Teluk Nara harbour, only 25 minutes north of Senggigi, and can be easily reached by car or taxi from Senggigi, or by boat from any of the Gilis; otherwise, ask your hotel or tour agency to organise a visit for you. At present, guests can take advantage of special opening prices for the tour.

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LION AIR SUED US $1.2 MILLION BY ANGRY JUDGE

A judge working at the Denpasar District Court, IGB Komang Wijaya Adhi, is suing Indonesian Air Carrier Lion Air for more than US $1.2 million in losses he claims he sustained after experiencing a flight delay on 14 October, 2011.

During an initial effort to mediate the dispute, the judge’s legal counsel, Sthuti Mandala, announced he was seeking Rp 45 million (US $5,000) in material damages and an additional Rp 11 billion (US $1.2 million) in non-material losses.

Mandala, representing Wijaya Adhi in the case, is a former judge.

As reported by Beritabali.com, Wijaya Adhi was invited by the Tjokro Group to act as a moderator at a seminar scheduled for 14-16 October in Jakarta. He was contracted to receive a fee of Rp 45 million for his services.

According to Mandala, his client had spent six months preparing for his moderator role.

The judge booked Lion Air flight JT0033 which was scheduled to fly at 6:45 pm; a departure time that came and went with no news from the airline to the waiting passengers. The judge, fearing he would be late for his Jakarta appearance, was finally advised his flight would be delayed by two hours.

At that point the judge hurriedly tried to move his booking to Sriwijaya Air, which had a remaining seat, discovered fifteen minutes before the Sriwijaya Air gate was scheduled to close. The Judge then asked Lion Air to transfer his booking to Sriwijaya Air in order arrive in Jakarta in time for the seminar scheduled to start in Jakarta at 7:30 pm.

Lion Air reportedly refused to help the Judge secure a replacement flight or move his booking, claiming they were only responsible to refund the ticket's value, while securing a replacement flight was the passenger’s sole responsibility.

Discussions with Lion Air ground staff seeking help in securing a seat on the alternative flight dragged on while the gate closed on the Sriwijaya Air flight. Having missed the alternate flight, the Lion Air flight then eventually departed for Jakarta at 10:00 pm, almost three hours behind schedule.

The Judge and his lawyer are charging Lion Air with “bad faith” under the 1999 Consumer Protection law, and for non-performance of contract.

Because the Judge’s role as moderator had to be assumed by another speaker, he lost the promised fee of Rp 45 million and claims his reputation with the Tjokro Group has been badly damaged, thereby affecting his potential future income as a moderator – a job he has frequently occupied over the past four years.

The Judge’s lawyer said, “The plaintiff has been branded as a liar who purposefully disrupted the planned seminar. In fact, the idea for the seminar came from the plaintiff, but because the airline booked by him (Lion Air) was two hours late it caused disappointment and embarrassment. This cannot be measured in money and we are therefore seeking non-material damaged of Rp 11 billion.”

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LOCAL SCENE

MUSIC ON THE HILL @ THE STUDIO

Guests at The Studio on the hill were treated to an afternoon of origin ballads performed by Qisie, Iping, Ary Juliant and Mark Heyward, and Australian bush ballads recited by Derek. Talented artist, Khan, presented "Live Art" and an exhibition of his colourful contemporary works.

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

QUESTION: My name is Samantha and I am 6. My mommy says that Santa comes once a year to deliver Xmas presents to all the boys and girls. I don’t think this is true. Last year I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus and it wasn’t even Xmas!

My brother, who is 4, says he wants a Shawn the Sheep video game for Xmas. I want a Barbie Divorce Set this year. I’ve already got the Barbie Beach Set and the Barbie Wedding Set. The Barbie Divorce set is where Barbie gets the house and the car and everything! My stinky brother wants to be an astronaut when he grows up. If you see Santa before I do will you please give him this note!

MR FIXER: I have given it to your mommy instead, who confirms that your brother does indeed want to become an astronaut when he grows up. Your mommy says you are going to be a proper little madam.

QUESTION: I have had enough! It’s almost Christmas Eve and NOTHING is going right. Mrs Claus has burned all the Christmas cookies. The Elves are griping about not getting paid for the overtime they had to do while making the toys. And the reindeer have been drinking all afternoon and are totally drunk. They took the sleigh out for a spin earlier today and crashed it into a tree, breaking off one of the runners.
I can’t even get a Christmas tree without aggravation! I sent that stupid Little Angel out HOURS ago to find a tree and he’s just walked in the door and said, “Yo, fat man! Where do you want me to stick the Christmas tree?” Not happy, Santa.

MR FIXER: And thus the tradition of the angel atop the Christmas tree came to pass...
QUESTION:  I am now a fancy-free, single male living in Lombok, since my wife ran off with the next door neighbor.  I do miss him! I have recently taken an interest in cooking and wondered if you had any cake recipes for the festive season.

MR FIXER: Yes! Try this one:
FRUIT CAKE RECIPE 
A cup of water
A cup of sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups of dried fruit
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
A cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
Assorted nuts
Bottle of whiskey

METHOD:
Sample the whiskey to check for quality.

Take a large bowl. Check the whiskey again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour 1 level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat 1 cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of sugar and beat again.

Make sure the whiskey is still okay. Cry another cup. Turn off the mixer. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck the cup of dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the dried fruit gets stuck in the mixer, pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the whiskey to check for tonsisticicity. Next, sift 2 cups of salt or something. Who cares? Check the whiskey! Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar or something. Whatever you can find.

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SAFE TRAVELLING ON THE ROADS OF LOMBOK…

By Sid Blade

To come to Lombok and rent a car or motorbike for the duration of your holidays can be an enjoyable way to get around. Or! It can be a nightmare of fear on the roads!
 
Many tourists driving here will experience conditions vastly different to most western countries, such as Australia or Europe. Firstly, the most important point is to have a current International Drivers’ License and, when you hire a motor bike or car, make sure the vehicle registration is with it, for you will need it if you get pulled up in a police check or have an accident. Of course, make sure you have travel insurance – this is A DEFINATE MUST HAVE!

Never drive or ride here with the concept that the road rules are the same as on roads elsewhere in the world. Mostly, everybody makes up their own way of travelling on the roads here, including what they consider road rules.

Always be prepared for the unexpected, as it’s always just around the corner. Give yourself plenty of time to correct and avoid endless stupidity on the roads.

Things to be aware of include:

Motor bikes travelling on the road at night with no front or rear lights, or the headlight is tinted red and the tail-light is tinted white. Who knows why they do it? Its more than completely crazy having no lights, and it’s so confusing to try and see bikes at night on the road. Cidomo (horse carts) with no lights are very dangerous on a wet dark night and easy to rear end if a car is coming from the opposite direction with its high beam on. You must pay special attention for both bikes and Cidomo at night.

There is no regard for the centre line. Cars and bikes will overtake two abreast and cut corners, even on blind corners (not good if you’re coming from the opposite direction!)

Beware of riders and drivers coming from the left as they NEVER look before pulling out onto the road. You could be bearing down on them in a truck OR AN ARMY TANK PAINTED FLOURO ORANGE and it still would not make them look!
 
Riders with 3 or 4 children on a bike, all with no helmets, are very common here. A good one to avoid, because if they come off, or hit something it’s a bloody mess!
 
Turn signals can consist of a waved hand, if you’re lucky, and usually it’s from the left side of the road if they are turning right. FOLLOWED BY A PANIC DASH ACROSS THE ROAD!

Most drivers in cars really have no idea of the dimensions of the vehicles they drive and suffer from ‘Horsepower Happiness’, and have been known to side-swipe bikes as they pass them. Or they take up the whole road approaching you while overtaking without any concern for danger, especially on blind corners. This really sets the heart pumping when they do this one! This gives you the minimum amount of road left for your vehicle to continue along OR YOU CAN SIMPLY HEAD FOR THE DIRT AT THE ROADSIDE!
Traffic lights and intersections have their own ‘Divine Madness’ with motorbike riders getting bored and impatient waiting for the lights to change and so, just ride out into the moving traffic against the red light. It’s soooooooo scary to see, while you sit there waiting for them to get hit by someone crossing the intersection with the green light in their direction. Certainly one to be aware of if you are approaching traffic lights!
 
A right turn, in many cases, means the driver or rider will approach you from 100 meters before the intersection or turn off on YOUR side of the road. It becomes a bit of a game of ‘chicken’ as you progress towards the oncoming bike or car, wondering what the heck they are doing coming straight at you. The logic behind this action has got me beat and it’s so dangerous, especially at night.
 
Bemo (small vans that transport people) drivers will commonly reverse around blind corners into the traffic flow, just to pick up a passenger – with no consideration to being hit from  behind by traffic moving along the road as they reverse: DEFINITELY A DANGEROUS THING TO DO!

Along with the insanity of the riders and drivers, one has to deal with dogs, goats, cows, monkeys, chickens, and sometimes people sitting on the roads and, at times, huge potholes with bunches of tree branches stuck in them to give warning of the crater in the road. Again, always give yourself plenty of reaction distance, and just watch dogs or cows as you approach them; many injuries have occurred from hitting dogs.
 
Chickens, with little chicks in tow, often wait by the side of the road until you come along and then dart out into the road in front of you at the last minute. If you happen to hit a chicken, just don’t stop! You will inevitably have to pay for its funeral… even if it doesn’t belong to anybody, someone will claim it just for the money, especially if you’re a western tourist.

These are just a few of the traps waiting for the uninitiated on the roads in Lombok. With the wet season upon us, some of the roads tend to flash flood, and at times there is deep water over the roads. Always approach roads and bridges that are flooded with caution.

I’m sure that if you do rent a car or motorbike, you will see things on the roads and experience logic beyond belief. Just react accordingly and be prepared at all times. Swearing at someone that just missed you, or nearly killed you, is okay – as long as it’s in another language and you smile at them while doing it. OTHERWISE THEY WILL THINK THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU!

However, if you keep all these things in mind, there are some very pleasant sights to be seen and experiences to be had just traveling around independently on your own bike or car. It’s a great way to see the beauty of the Lombok countryside, get off the beaten track and discover lovely places and people away from the tourist areas.

Most people are very friendly and, if you get lost, are happy to help you on your way (although expect to be stared at, as the people in the villages are fascinated by westerners). It’s normal for western visitors to experience this and the local people are just curious about you.
 
Riding along and seeing what people carry on motorbikes is amazing. Livestock, roofing materials, furniture, sheets of glass, ladders – and sometimes more people than you could fit in a mini bus – are all loaded onto a little motor bike. The sight of this can be hilarious to observe and is always great to photograph.

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CHRISTMAS… GILI T STYLE!

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, the dazzling white sand beaches of Gili Trawangan could be mistaken for snow, but you won’t find stodgy cold-weather fare at the island’s top restaurants and resorts!

Read on for our special summary of the great Christmas celebrations the island has on offer!

Top Gili T Resort, Hotel Vila Ombak, celebrates a traditional family Christmas on 24 December from 7pm in the lovely beachfront dining area. Enjoy a night of entertainment and feasting, with a sumptuous buffet of traditional Christmas fare and festive dishes.

The huge buffet includes Maple Glazed Turkey, Roasted Duck with Hoisin Sauce, Roasted Pork Loin, Seared Salmon, Sautéed Prawns, Roast Lamb, seafood dishes, cheeses and deli meats, gourmet salads, Xmas Puddings, Chocolate Truffle Cake, pastries, petit fours and many other delicious creations by the award-winning kitchen team.

Join in the Christmas joy with live music and dancing on the beach under the stars. Ph: 642 336 for reservations.

Undoubtedly, The Beach House is always a favourite for Christmas. This year the popular resort celebrates Christmas with a fabulous Christmas Eve menu and a Christmas Day Buffet at its beachfront restaurant overlooking the ocean.

Start the celebrations on Christmas Eve with a delicious set menu for just Rp 320 000++ per person.

Entrées include a choice of Fresh Oysters, King Prawns with Avocado Salsa, Pumpkin and Goats Cheese Salad with Fried Chickpeas, or Chestnut and Potato Soup.

Five mains are offered, with Traditional Roast Turkey and Cranberry Gravy, Shaved Honey Roasted Ham with Mashed Potato, Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon with Lime Aioli, or a vegetarian choice of Provencal Fettuccini.

Finish this festive feast with Traditional Christmas Pudding with brandy custard, Individual Apple Crumble with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon syrup, a Seasonal Fruit Plate with blossom honey and fresh mint, or Lemon Curd Tart with citrus anglaise candied zest and vanilla ice cream, plus a selection of coffees and teas.

The Christmas Day Buffet gives diners the chance to sample all their favourite Christmas fare with a large variety of fresh salads, Roasted Christmas Turkey with traditional stuffing, Suckling Pig, Honey roasted Leg of Ham, Whole poached Tasmanian Salmon, Panache of steamed vegetables with parsley butter and Creamy Potato Bake.

Indulge in Christmas Pudding and Brandy Anglaise, Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting, Assorted fruit platters and individual Lemon Tarts for dessert, accompanied by a selection of coffees and teas.

This festive feast is excellent value at 320 000++ per person and is sure to be popular. Book early for both events on 642 352.

Enjoy a truly memorable dining experience at Horizontal this festive season. This long established restaurant, now in its 8th year, offers great value gourmet food, legendary cocktails and cool tunes on the best swimming beach on Gili Trawangan.

Special seasonal 4 course menus are available on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from just Rp 100 000 per person! Choose from a selection of Western and Asian inspired creations, such as Tuna Sashimi Tartare with Asian Greens and Lemongrass Ginger Dressing, or Pan-fried Marlin Fillet with Prawns in a Citrus Cream Sauce.

Afterwards, kick back on the cushioned loungers on the beach with a cold beer, or sip a cocktail or two! Ph: 0819 1744 6052 for bookings.

ko-ko-mo Resort celebrates the season with its usual elegant flair and style. ko-ko-mo’s menu will surprise and tantalise with a fusion of Asian, European and Pacific Rim flavours, emphasising quality ingredients and a sophisticated twist on favourites.
Contact the resort on 644 169 for full details.

Gili T’s only authentic Indian restaurant, Pesona, also celebrates the festive season, with a spicy twist.

Enjoy Special Indian food set menus, Sheesha and Cocktail promotions all day long! The beach restaurant will be open until late on Christmas Eve… giving guests the perfect chance to lie back on cushions under the stars and share an authentic sheesha with imported fruit tobaccos.

Watch out for the discount vouchers being handed out on the beach during the festive season and stop in for late night / early morning kebabs after party night! Ph: 6123 521 for bookings.

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GILI AIR

Gili Air is gearing up for another busy Christmas. And, although Indonesia is a mainly Islamic country, Christmas here feels more like a universal holiday – everyone loves gifts and food and parties!

The festive peak season starts very shortly and the island feels almost expectant. I am really excited… I love Christmas; the lights, the sparkle, the cheer of it all! This will be my first Christmas on a tropical island and I am excited to see how many people get into the spirit.

I am already doing my part: I have put Christmas lights on our berugaq (beach hut) and I’m playing a selection of Christmas songs (although I might have to stop this soon, as it is getting me strange looks from passersby!)

As this is my first Christmas here, I am keen to know what kind of things you can do on two of the biggest days of the year – Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. (New Year’s Eve just happens to be my birthday, so if you find yourself walking past our shop, a few lines of ‘Happy Birthday’ would make my day!)

I noticed the other day that there isn’t a central notice board that tells tourists what is going on around the island. You can find plenty of posters on trees and wooden signs dotted here and there, but there was no central place where you can see everything that’s happening on the island together in one place.

This seemed easy to rectify so, while I was on the hunt to find out what was going on at this festive time, I also decided to sort this out. There is now a ‘Gili Air Island Notice Board’ outside Villa Karang (just south of the harbor) and, over the next few weeks, we are going to keep it up-to-date, so that tourists know that there is more to Gili Air than just lying around on one of our beautiful beaches.

Christmas Day
Zip Bar, Chillout Bar and Scallywags all have parties on Christmas Day that will run from lunchtime through to the early hours. Scallywags said that their staff will be wearing Christmas outfits, but didn’t expand further; I’m hoping they are all dressed as reindeers!

All three of these restaurants are very close to one another, minutes apart in fact, so if you want good food, drinks and a great sea view you could quite easily spend the day drifting between the three.

Personally, I think I’m going to spend my Christmas Day on the beach having a BBQ.  Actually, it’ll be more of a sunset BBQ, as that seems the best time for it. There is something amazing about getting the BBQ ready while you watch the sun set over Bali’s distant volcano. A fire pit dug in the sand, some driftwood and it’s perfect.  Anyone is welcome; just let us know at Karang Divers that you’re coming – bring some supplies and a sense of adventure!

Gili Air has an ATM!
The huge piece of news I just have to mention: Gili Air now has an ATM! No more taking a boat across to Gili T to get money; you can now do that on our lovely island. The ATM is located in Tourist Town (turn right at the dock). You can’t miss it – just look for the little ATM house with the vibrant red roof.

Christmas gifts
If you are looking for presents while you’re on Gili Air, there is a very nice young local man called Masin, who makes handmade jewellery. He has a stall called Coco Peseng Art, located around a ten-minute walk left from the harbour.  It’s in a small shack standing on its own along the beach path that circles the island. Check out his great ethnic designs!

While wandering around the island to find out what’s happening for Christmas, the general advice was that it’s important for tourists to book early during the peak season (15 December to 15 January). If you can, book before you arrive, especially for the more popular places. However, there are lots of bungalows here that don’t offer pre-booking or have websites, so I’m sure something will present itself if you just come to Gili Air on the off-chance.

Of course there is nothing more seasonal than diving: diving being something you can do in every season on Gili Air. Plus, many instructors dive in Santa outfits at this time of year – or so I am told!

In December, the water tends to be a little cloudy and the visibility can drop from the usual twenty-plus metres to perhaps ten. Thankfully, this decrease in visibility doesn’t put a stop to excellent diving.

On the contrary, at this time of year the Gili Islands are often visited by larger fish species. There have already been sightings of large groups of Devil Rays and, in recent years, Giant Mantas and even Whale Sharks have been seen in the area. This makes diving at this time of the year very exciting – you never quite know what you might find.

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