Letters - Lombok better than Bali?

From the Jakarta Post.

Letters: Lombok better than Bali?
Thu, 08/13/2009 1:11 PM | Opinion

After more then one year traveling every other week to and from Lombok, I must say I am liking the island more and more. It was a different story two years ago.

At that time I was happy to be on the ferry back to Bali but today I'm happy going both directions. When someone asks me where I live, I still reply "in Bali", but after more than 12 years I'm now thinking to move to Lombok sooner rather than later.

I am not of Bali tired yet, but there are small things that make the difference.

Look at the street to Padang Bai. Always congested by racing tourist buses and "big bikes-convoys" and damaged by overloaded and underpowered trucks.

Even though it has been repaired it's just a matter of time before it becomes a series of potholes again.

I remember there was an old governor's regulation that ordered sand from the Klungkung area had to be transported to the sea barges in large trucks.

Now they use small trucks and it seems they load the same amount of sand into much less powerful vehicles. Compare this to a nice drive in Lombok. Nice, clean streets (at least from Lembar up to Sengiggi and further North to Bangsal & Tanjung). No traffic jams or racing buses, but slow horse-carts and angkot.

This new road follows the pretty west coast of Lombok with its beautiful cays (like Malimbu) and has ample parking. In Bali there is also a beautiful road from Amplapura via Bunutan to Culik, but first you have to get there.

Then there is the sole port of Padang Bai, where the jetty is shared by trucks, motorcycles, cars and people waiting to board. There is no waiting hall, so people are forced to stand in the sun among the traffic for sometimes one and a half hours.

The Padang Bai Harbor serves not only ferry's to Lombok but also to Nusa Penida, and sometimes trucks have to line up for days to get on board.

This is not the case in Lembar on Lombok, where two jetties are able to receive vehicles and passengers from Bali quickly and without hassle.

I haven't heard about thieves in Lombok but certainly have in Ubud and Kuta.

The police in Lombok are not after tourist's with the wrong helmet - but ignore the reckless driving - like in Bali, but are instead very friendly, helpful and absolutely professional. OK, we many more restaurants and nightclubs and karaoke bars and massage parlors in Bali, but Lombok is doing well without all this.

The few in the Sengiggi-Batu Bolong Area are OK, though nothing compared to Kuta.

So, before Bali lovers and residents get into a fit, remember I still live in and love Bali. At least 50 percent of the time.

Reinhold Schulz
Denpasar

Living on both islands gives you the best of both worlds I think.

There are downsides to Bali that the author mentioned, however, in Lombok you have to put up with rolling power cuts every day and also no water for hours on end during some months of the year. Essential services such as power and water get much more attention in Bali, where there is a more wealthy population. Also, Bali is closer to Java so can get power from there.

Lombok also has problems with it's roads - at the moment they are not too bad having had some money spent on them because the politicians had a big conference there, but how many years did we put up with the ever worsening craters in the road at Montong, to the point where the 'arch' that everyone drove through that kind of marks the beginning of the Batu Bolong to Senggigi drive, was a total joke.

In Bali, you can buy just about anything you want, especially western foods and comforts. In Lombok you can't get many things. Most expats still buy their homewares and soft furnishings from Bali because you wouldn't want what is available in Lombok.

On the plus side, Lombok is cheaper to live and the lifestyle is way more relaxed. I would also argue that the locals live far more traditionally than in many parts of Bali, which I love. Unfortunately the impact of large numbers of western tourists and expats in Bali is changing the culture and traditional lifestyle, particularly with the younger generations. This is yet to happen to much extent in Lombok, although look again in 10 years once Emmar have had their effect on the island, and it will have changed.

For me, I would rather live in Lombok and put up with the inconveniences. As long as I can visit Bali reasonably often for life's little luxuries.

Me too Freo. The long term plan for us is to live on Lombok. But for now for health and schooling reasons Bali wins hands down. Once Martin is old enough to fend for himself I would hope that the power and water issues would be sorted on Lombok as I am getting too old to be dealing with occasional showers and power!

Hello,

This is my first post in Lombok Lovers.

After reading both Gemma and Freo's entries about the differences of Bali and Lombok, I am a little saddened.

We (partner Joe) are booked for Bali in early March. I first visited Bali around 19yrs ago and have been many times since. I have not been for 10 years.

A little saddened because the Balinese culture is probably slowly disappearing. My one an only trip to Lombok was about 18yrs ago with my 2 young children.

They love Bali and need their fix every couple of years. It has been a part of their childhood.

Sengiggi was very quiet with no Novotel, although there was something being built at the time. Gili Islands were little known. I was tempted to go but never made

it. I see there is a speed boat to take you there now.

We plan to stay in Ubud for a few days and do a day trip to Lovina which was my favourite place. I don't have any idea what it is like these days. I would also like to

visit Lombok again for an authentic Indo holiday. Gemma your Mimpi Manis sounds just what we are looking for.

I am probably on the wrong topic now. Anyway nice to read all the posts and info thank you. Happy New Year to All. Selamat Tahun Baru

I also live in Bali and recently bought a house in Lombok and in my case I really do not look forward to going back to Bali every Monday after spending a quiet weekend in Lombok.

How interesting BSS. You work on Bali and have a weekender in Lombok. You too Gemma in reverse. Fascinating.

May I ask what is your occupation BSS?

i can see i am likin this forum already! looks like most of you have been around a while! i between small island in caribbean/bali/and gili T have my diffs and opinions as well! can not wait to read more!! chillin, and willin!!

A bit of a delayed reply. I am involved in forest rehabilitation and plantation development in logged over and depleted forest areas.