Separated by a 20 minute flight, Bali and Lombok are similar in size but worlds apart when it comes to visitor numbers. Lombok remains Bali’s quiet neighbor, offering a smaller collection of boutique hotels around its coastline and access to the Gili Islands, while Komodo is even quieter still with a predominant rugged landscape. Horse and cart still rattle along the quiet roads, passing rickety wooden stands where locals sell fresh fruit and bottles of gasoline to passing motorists. Giant prawns served on the beach as the sun drops below a glistening Indian Ocean horizon is a favored way to spend an evening. Komodo lies sandwiched between the small, sparse island of Sumba, and neighboring Flores. The island is not only a place to watch whales on their migration route, but also home to the legendary Komodo dragon.
Religion and culture are closely entwined in daily life throughout Indonesia and visible through a number of activities – including, dancing, reading and music playing. As on neighboring Java, the gamelan orchestra and shadow puppet theatre are extremely popular. Ubud in Central Bali is famous for its arts and crafts and provides an opportunity to explore a selection of remarkable architectural sights while learning about a history dating back to the eighth century.
Also known as the Island of the Gods, Bali is a colorful land covered in hills and mountains with rugged coastlines and sandy beaches leading to vibrant emerald green rice terraces. The island literally caters to every kind of traveler; with a wealth of sporting activities including world class surfing; laid back coastal villages; culture rich inland villages with traditional markets and a volcanic landscape home to fascinating flora and fauna.
Lombok fascinates visitors with its rugged northern area around Gunung Rinjani, home to Indonesia’s second highest volcano. Others make the journey to explore the trio of Gili Islands just off the northwest coast – easily accessible by boat with a selection of luxury resorts to choose from. A long history of minority cultures has shaped an intriguing number of temples and mosques to explore on the island.
Off the west coast of Lombok lie three small islands known as Gili in the local language that offer visitors a picture postcard view of a classic island getaway. Surrounded by clear waters that are home to turtles, manta rays and the occasional black tip reef shark, the Gili Islands provide the perfect opportunity for those who want a Robinson Crusoe experience. Guests who want to party can head to Gili Trawangan – an area famed for its lively nightlife.
Komodo is easily accessible from Sumba and Flores by boat. Its charm lies in its undeveloped land, void of even a port with passengers taken by small boats the island’s only village to clamber out onto its parched soil. Most visit to see the Komodo dragon in its natural habitat, with an estimated 5,000 Komodo Dragons spread across the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Flores. At three meters in length and weighing as much as 136 kg, the Komodo is the largest and most powerful lizard on earth and totally unique to Indonesia.
Sumba is typically remote and rugged, characteristic of these far eastern islands where the landscape is more desert-like than tropical. Owing to this, there are a number of excellent, white sandy beaches to be discovered. Sumba has a very rural, remote feel to it, in great contrast to Bali and Lombok. For those who make the journey to this lost island, they will be treated to spectacular beaches, rarely climbed volcanoes and some exceptional surfing spots.
