Top Local Tips for Lombok

Gili Islands Don't bother to go to the 3 Gili islands. They are the worst snorkeling sites that we have ever been to. Very few fish and corals.

Dining with Kids in Lombok Asmara Restaurant, opposite the Sengiggi Art Markets, caters really well for children. You'd barely notice it from the street - very unassuming, but well worth seeking out. They provide colouring-in sheets and crayons for the kids, and at the rear of the restaurant is a children's playground - not quite to the standards we'd expect here in Australia but very serviceable and quite a rare find in both Lombok and Bali. My kids had a ball! Food is excellent there - noth Indonesian and 'European' (I think this means German!) food. They also bake their own bread there and its very good.

It's not 5th Avenue over there, on Lombok Going to Lombok is all about getting outdoors in comfort and getting some exercise and seeing contrasting countryside. If you research The Wallace Line you'll learn that Lombok is different to Bali, by definition. The community seems to be quite poor financially, so expect to see that. I went from the Airport straight to the Senggigi area and did not go in to Mataram, which is the capital city of Lombok. Lombok is for those who want to have somewhere fabulous to stay, and get out and about and have fun. With the right person/people along with you, you are guaranteed to have a great time.