Lombok has an excellent view from above, but unlike Bali, there is various terrain without any trace of construction, the roads are emptier, and the island is full of cutouts that form curious coves.

The temperature here is also much higher, and I can’t explain why.

“It rains less here,” says Mohammed, the driver we hired for the four days we were going to spend on the island.

The contact was given to us by a friend, and Mohammed didn’t disappoint. Father of four children, he confesses that life in Lombok is not easy, especially for those with a large family.

Four years ago, he set up a local lodge near the beach, a modest house, where he still lacks the much-sought-after Wi-Fi. However, there was a lack of guests, so he had to turn to other jobs, such as driving tourists to the best surf spots on the island. With luck, someone lends him a surfboard, and he goes to the water, like what happened with us.

His dream? Improve the house, buy learning boards (very expensive here), and set up a surf school. For now and until luck knocks at the door, he works on what he can, with goodwill and lots of stories to tell.

As a curiosity, during our stay, someone “kidnapped” his eldest daughter… but don’t be alarmed as the girl didn’t disappear.

It is a tradition in Lombok to take the girl home from her parent’s house when they want to get married. This is the first step in a process that will involve the debate between both families about the dowry to pay and the details of the wedding ceremony.

Mohammed thinks his daughter is still young to marry, but once the process is initiated, there’s no going back.

Lombok, a changing island

This is just one of the local traditions. Lombok is to this day as Bali was a few decades ago.

Kuta (yes, there’s also one here) now begins to see some hotels and restaurants much more to the taste of tourists. But warungs and homestays still proliferate, as well as stalls selling some crafts or t-shirts and custom sarongs.

Outside the city, the fields are cultivated or pastured. Cows and buffaloes ruminate on the herbs without concern under the owners’ eyes. On the island, those who have cattle have more possessions and are more attractive to girls who want to get married.

The beaches in the south of Lombok

The beaches are one of the great attractions of the island. I visited Guling, Mawun, Kuta, Mawi, and Mawun, all of which were highly sought after by surfers. From Europeans to Asians, there’s everyone in the water, some better than others, of course.

There are other well-known waves in Lombok, such as Desert Point, regarded by many as one of the best and longest lefts in the world.

But time was scarce, and the journey there was undoubtedly long, given the state of the roads.

That was also the reason I didn’t go to Pink Beach. There are ten pink beaches in the world, two of which are in Indonesia and one in Lombok.

From where I was, it was more than a two-hour drive, and what I was told was that I would still have to catch one more boat to get there.

In fact, I was afraid of making this long trip and being disappointed since I heard that the sand was not as pink as the photos shown on the internet. In reality, it’s more of a peach shade.

Be that as it may, the phenomenon created by red corals is unique and is nevertheless a reason to visit for those who have the opportunity. But do not set your expectations too high.

Between waterfalls and ancient tribes

Another point of interest on the island is Mount Rinjani, which holds in itself a still active volcano, the second highest in Indonesia. If you like hiking, a climb to the summit of the Rinjani can be the biggest challenge of this trip.

In my case, I preferred to go looking for some of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen. The Rinjani Geopark has waterfalls of incredible beauty surrounded by lush forest. It’s highly recommended!

Upon returning to Kuta, there was still time to see how the traditional fabrics were woven in a Sasak village.

The Sasak are the origin of the people of Lombok, who abandoned these villages and their way of life with the passage of time. However, some have still become tourist attractions today.

I was taken to a weaving cooperative to observe the manual labor closely. Most of the operation is done by artisans, young women who learn the art very soon and practice until they are married.

The textiles are made in a meticulous work of thousands and thousands of threads, and the more elaborate the drawing – which depends on the creativity of each artisan – the longer it takes to be completed, being as long as a month or even two.

Thousands of models are on display in the store, and of course, the cooperative, which employs hundreds of local families, sells them to tourists who pass by.

It was time to leave, and since I had only stayed in the South, I felt that much remained to be seen.

As I said goodbye to “the land of a thousand mosques,” I saw those empty fields and luxurious greenery from above and couldn’t help thinking that the next time I visit Lombok, things might be totally different.

Things to do in Lombok

• Skipping between beaches
• Surfing some of the best waves in Indonesia
• Visiting a pink beach
• Diving in waterfalls
• Climb to Mount Rinjani
• View the mosques
• Getting to know the Sasak culture

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