Travel Tips During Your Traveling In Lombok and Beyond

Tips
It is always nice to learn a few customs of the area you are visiting, and here are some dos and dons for an enjoyable trip:

Dos:
-  Possibly use your right hand when eating, accepting and giving anything
-  If offering something to someone, do it more than once if they refuse
-  Try eating traditionally by sitting on the floor
-  Try wearing a sarong (both men and women)

Dons:
-   Never touch someone’s head even if you are trying to be friendly or joking
-   Never point your feet at things, please use your hands instead

Mobile Phones
There are 5 main mobile providers in Indonesia which are operating on the GSM network. If you are bringing in your mobile, you can purchase a prepaid GSM card to make outgoing calls at a lower rate than calling using your home sim card.  Shops which sell these cards are prolific and the major service providers are: Telkomsel, Indosat, XL, Three, and Axis. 

Health and Medical Information
Most hotels have on call doctors of their own. For the condition commonly known as Bali Belly, Lomotil and Imodium eliminate symptoms very good but not the infections. It is therefore highly recommended to bring these medications along with you to ensure you have an uninterrupt holiday. A fever coming with the symptoms requires doctor prescribed antibiotics, and can be least eliminated by drinking as much liquid as possible and strong hot tea against discomfort and cramping.

It is best advised to avoid raw vegetables and drink only bottled water in order to avoid Bali Belly peel fruit. Ice in restaurants can be safe but you always need to ask first. Protect yourself from the intense equatorial sunrays is a must, be sure to use sun-block and a hat.

Sexually transmitted diseases are increasing in Indonesia with local sex workers having partners from all over the world. If you choose to partake in this kind of activity, always act responsibly and use condom which is available over the counter at pharmacies. Drugs and child pornography or abuse are illegal and, as in other countries, you will be subject to prosecution and punishment under the law of the country.

Money and Local Currencies
There are plenty of money changers in Lombok with the best rates usually in Senggigi. Money changers prefer new, clean, large bills but will also accept smaller denominations at a lower rate. The rate for a Traveler’s cheque is usually a bit smaller than bank notes. Be sure to re-count your money rightly before leaving the counter, you can also do the checks at the local banks but theirs are slightly lower than money changers’.

Re-counting the money at the counter of the money changer is simply a must and is not considered offensive. A suggestion when changing money: If you plan on making small purchases be sure to carry small denominations with you because many sellers do not have change. The Rupiah comes in denominations of 100000, 50000, 10000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 200, and 100, remember to carefully check the number of zeros on the notes when making purchases.

Business Hours
If you need to visit a government office, it is highly advised to arrive between 0800 and 1130 since the working hour in Indonesia begins in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. This applies also to the banks and private businesses as well. Government offices close earlier on Fridays, but generally offices are open 07.30-1500 from Monday to Thursday and 07.00-12.00 on Fridays. (Banks are closed on Saturday and Sunday)

Things as souvenirs
Need to take some memorabilia back from the island?. Lombok has exquisite woven textiles such as songkets and ikats which can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth or simply a beautiful gift.  Our  woven is specially designed to each weaver and has gone from generations to generations.  There is however a place in Lombok producing traditional hand weaving in Puyung, central Lombok where you can even try on a traditional Sasak costume. Banyumulek (West Lombok), Penujak (Central Lombok) and Masbagik (East Lombok) are the 3 famous villages in Lombok for making pottery since our pottery is shipped throughout the world and therefore has gained popularity too.

There is plenty of selections which can be custom-made to your fascination. There are another traditional handicrafts you could take home e.g.: wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with shells and items made from bamboo or rattan. Don’t forget to check the quarantine regulations in your country.

Have a nice stay with us.............!.