LOMBOK TRAVEL TIPS

General Matter

1. Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe.

2. Drink always from bottled water and eat well done cooking food, unless when eating at recommended restaurants/cafes or hotel's outlet.

3. Street or beach vendors are often pushing too hard on selling and most visitors feel inconvenient. Never try to look at any of their item/s even they might be interesting to you, even this could be fun for those who want to learn about bargaining tactic. For most visitors this is hassling.

4. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sun. Use sun block and hat.

5. Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia. Local sex workers have multiple partners from all over the world. Act responsibly and use condoms, available over the counter at pharmacies.

6. Due to the limited number of flights to Lombok, during the peak season we highly recommend you to make flight booking far in advanced. Don't forget to ask your local tour operator to re-confirm your ticket minimum 24 hours in advanced to ensure yourself to get seats.

DO’S & DONT’S

It is always nice to learn a few customs of the area when visiting a different country. Here are some do’s and don’ts for an enjoyable trip:

DO’S:

- Use right hand when eating, accepting or giving anything

- If offering anything to someone do it more than once if they refuse.

- Try eating traditionally and sit on the floor

- Try wearing a sarong (both men and women)

DONT’S:

- Touch someone’s head even if you are trying to be friendly or joking.

- Point feet at things, use your hands instead.

TIPPING

Tipping is relatively new in Lombok. Most large hotels and restaurants will automatically add a service charge of between 5 & 10 percent to your bill which is quite sufficient. Smaller restaurants generally don't add anything extra but considering that the waiter's wage may well be less than $1.00 a day - a tip of 5 - 10 percent is very much appreciated.

Bellmen generally get Rp. 500 - Rp.1,000 for a small to medium sized luggage and up to Rp.2,000 for those house trailers some people carry around. For taxi drivers, rounding up to the nearest Rp. 500 or Rp. 1,000 depending on the length of trip is the norm. And with tour guides and the like tipping is up to you - just remember that chances are your driver has already received a commission from anything you purchased during the day.

BARGAINING
Difficult for many first timers but once you get the hang of it you’ll never pay retail again! Bargaining is the norm in Lombok's art markets, trinket and T-shirt shops. But don’t get cheesy. Nothing is more irritating nowadays than watching a well clad tourist trying to squeeze the last 1,000 Rupiah (about 10 US cents) out of a shopkeeper. Just remember how much it cost to get to Lombok. So what is the value in not taking home that beautiful earthenware pot ? Negotiate a good price and take home a good story.

STREET WISE
Lombok's reputation has been sullied as of late since the economic crises hit Indonesia (staying only in the tourist enclaves you may not see the hardship this economic crises has caused the people) and crime has been on the rise - especially in Southern Lombok (Kuta) and at Mount Rinjani. Nonetheless that said Lombok is still far, far safer than most large cities in this world.

Pickpockets, car break ins and the like seem to be the most common complaints. To reduce your risk, use plain common sense and take the same basic precautions you would if you were visiting any big city. Keep a tight grip on your purse or camera, Never leave any bags (whether valuable or not) in your car unattended in your car, on the beach or by the pool, use the hotel safety deposit box, don’t go down dark deserted alleys and don’t count money in the open etc, etc....

On the other hand don't even think of committing a crime in Indonesia. You are a long way from home with far fewer rights than you think. Behave yourself and be a gracious guest.

OUTWARD BOUND
On the way out of the hotel, keep a little extra money handy. All tourists leaving Indonesia from Mataram International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rp.75,000. That said be advised that it is against the law to leave Indonesia with more than Rp. 10,000,000. Departure for domestic travel is also taxed (Rp.10,000) though most of the time this has already been included in the ticket price - but every once and awhile you are surprised... (and even if you're not you can always make a donation to the local Red Cross or charity du jour).

BUSINESS HOURS
Lombok’s laid back pace of life can frustrate the avid shopper. Most shops in the major tourist areas have fairly regular hours from 10 am till 8 p.m., six days a week - sometimes a shop is closed just because it's slow that day! Restaurants start serving from 7.30 a.m. or so until 10.00 pm. Government offices and banks operate from 8 am till 3 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 am till 12 p.m. on Fridays.

GETTING AROUND
Traveling in Lombok is much more relaxed than Bali but the roads tend to be narrower (2 lanes with passing in both directions) and once you get out of the main tourist sections, not as well maintained. Whilst we wouldn't recommend anyone rent a self drive car in Bali - in Lombok you can, if you're a bit adventurous, get around on your own quite nicely.

Still the byword is Caution. Traffic moves quite slowly and you can come up on a cidomo (horse drawn cart) quite quickly without realizing it. Also, when you put cidomos together with pedestrians, bicycles, tour buses, trucks, livestock and assorted immovable objects in the middle of roads that are not well marked with traffic controls that are often ignored and little - if any - enforcement of rules that may exist - you have one of the most creative driving experieces imaginable. Pay attention - especially at night !

Metered taxis are now available in Lombok. Easily recognizable by their blue color, they are surprisingly inexpensive compared to other private transport options.

Also be advised that if you have an accident and there is an injury to a local person you will not be able to leave until the matter is cleared up. In the long run it is usually better to hire a car with a driver, enjoy the scenery and arrive at your destination relaxed. It usually costs only about US$ 10.00 more per day to hire a driver with your rental vehicle than without - so you be the judge.

That said, the more adventurous visitor may want to explore Lombok by motorcycle. If you do choose to do so be advised that you will need a motorcycle driver's license - if you don't have one you may get one at the Police station and you need to wear a helmet (the police just love tourists who flaunt this rule).

Another interesting way to discover Lombok is by Bemo (the small covered carry vans careening about). No better way to mix with the locals - Very cheap but there's no airconditioning and the bemos can get crowded. That said, make sure you understand the price before you get in - locals seem to have one price, tourists another - you might just find taxis cheaper.

Last but not least are cidomos (2 wheeled horse drawn buggies). More a tourist thing in Senggigi at night but a staple of transportation for locals in Mataram and elsewhere  during the day.