|
|
Overview: Just a few miles south of Ampenan, Senggigi is the most
developed tourist resort on Lombok, characterised by broad bays,
towering headlands and first-rate hotels and restaurants, and with
the only nightlife in Lombok. Being close to the airport it makes a
good first or last night stop for those intent on exploring the
island. The drive north along the coast from Senggigi to Pemenang
is a great day out for those with a car offering spectacular views
of the Gili Islands and across to Bali when the weather is clear.
The twisting road takes visitors to an expanse of coast that is
totally undeveloped with only a few coastal villages dotted behind
sweeping bays of turquoise water and palm trees. Just south of
Senggigi is the Batu Bolong Temple - weighed down under an excess
of lurid pink paint its shrines are spread around a rocky
promontory with fabulous views in both directions along the coast.
The main part of the temple is built over an archway in the rock,
the hole through which virgins were once supposedly sacrificed to
appease the gods. Today this is a quiet and peaceful spot and a
favourite with local fishermen.
Attractions Ampenan: The vast metropolis of Ampenan, Mataram, Caimanegara and Swete, with a population of around 250,000, comprises four towns, the boundaries of which are all but indistinguishable to the casual visitor. While Sweta is the main transport hub and site of the island's biggest market, Ampenan, the town furthest west, is the main tourist area and the location of most shops, hotels and restaurants. Most visitors pass through the area fairly quickly but there are one or two sights worth seeing nearby, including the weaving factories in the capital Mataram, whose processes have remained largely unchanged for hundreds of years, and a weaving village to the south where traditionally dressed women work on wooden handlooms. There are a number of shrines and temples open to visitors, the best are centred around the Mayura Water Palace, dating from 1744 and used by the royal court during the Balinese rule of Lombok. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Travel Guide | Airport Guide | Cheap Flights | City Guide | Holiday Resorts | Tour Operators | Climate and Weather | Phone Codes | World Clock | Feedback | About us | Travel Reviews |
||
|
Copyright © 2008 Globe Media Ltd. All rights reserved. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. |
||