Lombok - Rediscovering Indonesia's Forgotten Islands, Mataram, Indonesia

Uh oh. Better book your flight and hotel now before Lombok gets inundated with people wanting to experience Bali during its pre-boom days. I was there in May last year and it’s safe to say the island is still relatively unspoiled - the streets aren’t clogged with tourists, the splendorous islands really feel relaxed and local handicrafts are not too pricey. Lombok overwhelms the senses with a unique shade of green considering it lies on the Australasian side of the Wallace Line while the giant Mount Rinjani looms over the background. Here’s the best of Lombok in four days.

Comparisons to Bali’s Kuta beach comes into mind when talking about Lombok’s main stretch. Located 30 minutes northwest of the capital Mataram, Senggigi holds on to the laid-back vibe found wanting at other beach destinations in South East Asia. Backpacker lodges and international resorts blend in well to the scene while Western restaurants and bars can be found scattered with local eateries along the main road. Don’t be perturbed by the blackish sand of the beach due to its volcanic origins and enjoy being on the right side of uncongested relaxation.

It’s funny how the best local dish in Lombok originated from its eastern neighbor, Sumbawa. Other than wild horse milk, Ayam Taliwang came from a town of its namesake and was made famous when Sumbawans brought it to the island. It is basically grilled free range chicken but the secret is in the marinade. The blend of garlic, chili and belacan is left to absorb into the meat before the chicken is grilled using coconut husks instead of charcoal. This spicy yet juicy dish is best accompanied with a plate of rice, plecing kangkung (water spinach) & beberuk (eggplant). We grabbed this feast at Ayam Taliwang Irama at Lombok’s capital Mataram. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).