Novotel Lombok - A 4* Hotel in Southern Part Lombok

This four-star Novotel offers the best in exciting activities and facilities for families, couples, honeymooners, and anyone ready to live life to the fullest.Located on the southern shore of Lombok, under an hour drive from the international airport, you’ll be playing on the white sands of the hotels unspoiled private beach in no time. Boasting its very own natural lagoon, four beautiful pools, two restaurants that overlook the ocean, and a health and treatment spa. The Kids Club will leave quite an impression on your children, with tons of fun activities and games. World famous surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling are a must, as well as putting enough time aside for relaxing and resting in the hotels spacious elegant rooms.For that perfect holiday you’ve been looking for, the Novotel Lombok Hotel has you covered.

Novotel Lombok

Kuta Mandalika Beach

Deluxe Room

Suite Room

Suite Room

Private Pool Villa

Superior Room

Romantic Dinner

The Top 10 Travel Quotations You've (probably) Never Heard

By Aaron Hotfelder

As an inveterate quotation-hoarder, I am always on the lookout for concise yet powerful expressions of wit and wisdom related to travel. Here are ten of my favorites, followed by a couple comments on why I find them so memorable and meaningful...

10. "We are sad at home and blame the weather and the ugliness of the buildings, but on the tropical island we learn... that the state of the skies and the appearance of our dwellings can never on their own underwrite our joy nor condemn us to misery." - Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel. Travel is many things-- mind-altering, exciting, challenging-- but it is not a panacea. Those who travel abroad because they're unhappy at home will find that travel does not cure all of life's ills.

9. "When one is traveling, one must expect to spend a certain amount of money foolishly." - Robertson Davies, as quoted by Chuck Thompson in Smile When You're Lying. It happens. Whether it's indulging at the hotel mini-bar or being ripped off by an unscrupulous taxi driver, people often see their money evaporate at alarming rates when they're traveling. Expect it, and most importantly, budget for it.

8. "Very many people spend money in ways quite different from those that their natural tastes would enjoin, merely because the respect of their neighbors depends upon their possession of a good car and their ability to give good dinners. As a matter of fact, any man who can obviously afford a car but genuinely prefers travels or a good library will in the end be much more respected than if he behaved exactly like everyone else." - Bertrand Russell, The Conquest of Happiness, as quoted in Rolf Potts' Vagabonding. A reminder that it's your money and your life: do with it what you want. Every dollar spent at home is a dollar that can't be spent abroad. 

7. "There are two things to do in Juneau, drink and get drunk." - Chuck Thompson, quoting a friend, in Smile When You're Lying. It isn't just Juneau; there are only two things to do in a lot of places. Not every travel destination is a winner, and sometimes you're left in the middle of nowhere splitting a bottle of booze with a friend. Still, there are worse ways to spend an evening, or a week.

6. "Sublime places repeat in grand terms a lesson that ordinary life typically teaches viciously: that the universe is mightier than we are, that we are frail and temporary and have no alternative but to accept limitations on our will; that we must bow to necessities greater than ourselves." - Alain de Botton, The Art of Travel. In our normal, workaday lives, the experience of being "humbled" is often an embarrassing or upsetting one. But standing in the midst of Angkor Wat or Machu Picchu, we are happy, ecstatic even, to be humbled. It's a great, great feeling.

5. "You must kill ten hours to make two hours live. What you must be careful of is not to kill ALL the hours, ALL the years." - Charles Bukowski, The Captain is Out to Lunch and the Sailors Have Taken Over the Ship. The most powerful force in most people's working lives is inertia: we do what we do because it's what we've always done. But surrendering one's life to inertia is a tragic mistake.

4. "As for the idea of a native country, that is to say, of a certain bit of ground traced out on a map and separated from others by a red or blue line: no. My native country is for me the country that I love, that is, the one that makes me dream, that makes me feel well. I am as much Chinese as French, and I don't rejoice about our victories over the Arabs because I'm saddened by their defeats." - Gustave Flaubert, in a letter to Louise Colet, The Letters of Gustave Flaubert: 1830-1857. As true today as it was when Flaubert wrote it in 1846, travel provides a window into the lives of the oft-derided Others: illegal immigrants, people from the Middle East, Asian factory workers who "steal" American jobs. Travel reminds us of what shouldn't need reminding: these are people too.

3. "The fool, with all his other faults, has this also: he is always getting ready to live." - Epicurus. Couldn't have said it better myself. If not now, when?

2. "We have a new joke on the reservation: 'What is cultural deprivation?' Answer: 'Being an upper-middle class white kid living in a split-level suburban home with a color TV.'" - John Fire Lame Deer, Lame Deer: Seeker of Visions. Ouch. Okay, this one hits a little too close to home. Still, it's a reminder that there's a hell of a lot more to life than watching TV and clicking aimlessly on the internet. A whole world awaits.

1. "Often I feel I go to some distant region of the world to be reminded of who I really am... Stripped of your ordinary surroundings, your friends, your daily routines, your refrigerator full of your food, your closet full of your clothes, you are forced into direct experience. Such direct experience inevitably makes you aware of who it is that is having the experience. That's not always comfortable, but it is always invigorating." - Michael Crichton, Travels, as quoted in Rolf Potts' Vagabonding. I can't tell you how often that final sentence pops into my mind whenever I'm hanging on for dear life during some insane taxi ride, or arriving in a new town after midnight. No, travel isn't always comfortable, but it's always, always invigorating.

Got a favorite travel quotation of your own? Share it in the Comments. ^^

Things to Pack That Will Save Your Money

For you who are watching your wallet and purse, it's important to stick to a budget, find money-saving travel deals, and get the best possible exchange rate. Additionally, those looking to save cash would do well to pack strategically. The right travel gear can help you keep costs down while traveling. Pack these following items to save money on airline bag fees, laundry-service charges, and other expenses.

Empty Carry-On Travel Bottle

Don't specifically buy those travel-size product. Those are a waste of money. Instead,  pack your own carry-on travel bottles filled with your favorite products. 

Sunscreen Stick

If you're traveling a place like Gili Trawangan or Senggigi (which are tourist major destinations), any sunblock for sale in local shops will probably be really expensive. The wallet-friendly solution is to buy solid sunscreen at your hometown. Neutrogena and Coppertone both offer stick sunscreen, which may be carried onto a plane in any amount since it's not a liquid. Bonus: It will never leak all over your stuff.

Snacks

Once upon a time, airlines were as liberal with edible treats as your grandma. Now, many airlines sell marked-up bagged snacks that you could buy in the store for a lot less. So bring your own bagged candy, crackers, and nuts and save a few bucks.

Duct Tape

Like a Swiss Army knife, duct tape has myriad practical uses. But unlike a Swiss Army knife, you can take it on a plane. Use the tape to put things back together if your suitcase gets ripped by rough-and-tumble baggage handlers, thus saving you from having to spend money on a new bag during your trip. If you're heading to a place with an unfavorable exchange rate, purchasing a big-ticket item like a new suitcase could really eat up your budget.

Other creative uses for duct tape include covering blisters on feet, removing lint from clothing, and creating a makeshift hotel-room safe by taping your wallet and jewelry to the underside of the bed.

Empty Water Bottle

Most travelers know this trick, as is evidenced by the lines that sometimes form at water fountains near boarding areas (we have it in SoeTa Airport - Jakarta). Well, just avoid the overpriced newsstand bottled water by packing an empty bottle in your suitcase and filling it up after you've gone through security. To save space, opt for a squishy, foldable flask like the Vapur Anti-Bottle.

Travel Laundry Detergent

Even if you're planning to pack enough clothing to avoid using laundry services during your trip, an upturned glass of drinks or a leaky bottle in your suitcase could make a mess of your plans or clothes.

Pack travel laundry detergent and stain remover to use in case of a spill emergency (a small package of Rinso, Attack, or Daia would be perfect). 

Traveling with laundry detergent could also save you from having to buy replacement clothes upon your return. Let certain stains set for too long and they might never come out.

**taken from www.smartertravel.com with some changes 

Let's Get Lost

Let's get lost with us ^^

Feel free to contact us..

LOMBOK is not only Senggigi and Gili

Eating Out in Lombok

Lombok means "chili" in Sasak, so it's no surprise that traditional Sasak food is often fiery hot. Lombok is a melting pot of cultures and this is reflected in the styles of food available, ranging from Dutch-influenced breads and martabak to authentic Chinese cuisine, spicy Padang food from Sumatra, and traditional Indonesian fare.

Fish Satay

Sate pusut is a delicious local satay, with meats, spices, and coconut pressed onto flat skewers and grilled. Satay tanjung is a tasty specialty from the Tanjung in north Lombok, but also found in the cities, featuring fresh fish and spices wrapped on skewers and grilled. Lemper are small parcels of sticky rice filled with shredded chicken or beef and spices, wrapped in coconut leaves. Lontong are small conical shaped cakes of rice that have been wrapped in leaves and steamed. Some satays will be served with Lontong.

Sate Rembige
Another kind of famous local satay in Lombok

Bulayak Satay

Lombok is famed for its specialty chicken dish ayam taliwang (small, free-range village chicken), which actually originates from the neighboring island of Sumbawa. A whole ayam kampung is grilled over coconut husks and served with sambal. Pelecing ayam is grilled chicken broken into pieces, added to the spicy and piquant sauce, and slowly simmered, turning the marinade into a delicious red coating.

Taliwang Chicken and Plecing Kangkung

Being a Muslim island, pork is not readily available except in the tourist areas and at Chinese restaurants and lamb is rare. Goat (kambing) however, is very popular. A whole young goat cooked on a spit is the meat of choice for celebrations, parties, and festive occasions, especially the Islamic festivals of Idul Adha and Eid-ul-Fitri. Beef is also freely available on Lombok and a staple in Lombok diets (unlike their Hindu cousins in Bali). 

Large tuna, snapper, Spanish mackerel, barracuda, and a huge variety of shellfish are found in the seas off Lombok. Ikan (fish) are generally served whole and baked, fried, or more often, grilled on outdoor barbecues over a fire of charcoal and coconut husks. Local cumi cumi (squid) and udang (prawns) are cooked in fiery sambal, braised in oyster sauce, or deep fried.

Fish Dish at Cianjur Restaurant
Pic Courtesy: Derrick Chang

Particularly popular in Lombok are pelecing kangkung and pecel, sold from kaki lima and warungs everywhere. Pelecing kangkung is locally grown kangkung (a type of leafy water spinach) boiled and served with fresh bean sprouts and topped with a fiery red chili and tomato sauce. Pecel is a variant that combines kangkung, cabbage, and other vegetables, fresh bean sprouts, and sometimes tomato with spicy peanut sauce and prawn crackers. Lalapan is a plate of fresh cabbage, snake beans, and cucumber served with spicy sambal. Beberuk (or Beberuq) is a typical Sasak side dish of finely diced snake beans and small, round eggplant, with tomato, chili, shallots, lime, and spices. Ares is a unique dish made from the inner stem of the banana tree and mixed with coconut milk and spices. Olah-olah is made from the heart of banana tree flower mixed with coconut cream, mild spices, and finely chopped snake beans. Rujak is unripe fruit such as mango or papaya, mixed with ripe apple, guava, or pineapple, coated in a hot and sweet and sour sauce of sweet soy, palm sugar, and chilies.

Ares 

Beberuq

Mixed Rice (Nasi Campur)

Check The Weather Forecast in Lombok Before You Book Your Tickets, Mates!

Pic courtesy: Derrick Chang

In general, Bali and Lombok have similar weather, though Lombok is dried and receives less rain than Bali. 

The hot and sticky rainy season lasts October to March with downpours that can obscure all visibility. The wet season brings daily rain with the worst falling between December and February. From June to August, the temperature drops slightly and there is usually a refreshing cool breeze in the air. Humidity is high during the rainy season and better in the dry season.

The popular dry season, referred to as "summer" by the locals even though it is the southern hemisphere, is cooler and much more pleasant. The best time to visit is during the dry season from April to October. December and January are characterized by sudden and short thunderstorms in the afternoon, though sometimes it can rain for days, flooding all the rivers and roads. This is also high season together with Christmas and New Year, when most hotels and villas will charge higher rates.

Low, High & Peak Season

Low: January 9 to June 30; September 16 to December 20. Low season is a great time to negotiate deals on accommodations and find cheap hotel packages.

High: July; September 1 to September 15; Chinese New Year and Easter week. Accommodation is hard to find and almost as expensive as peak season. 

Peak: August; December 20 to January 9. Although the weather in August is cooler than the rest of the year and there is very little rain, December's weather is hot and humidity is high. During peak season, Lombok is bursting at the seams with tourists. The roads become heavily congested and dinner reservations are hard to get. Expect to pay almost double for accommodations; shopkeepers will drive a hard bargain.

Public Holidays

Most of the major Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist holidays are celebrated in Lombok. The government also sets a few additional days every year during the year, though Islamic holiday dates change year to year. January: 1 New Year; February: 14 Chinese New Year (2561), 26 Maulid (Birth of the Prophet); March: 16 Nyepi Balinese New Year (1932); April: 2 Good Friday, 28 Waisak Day (Buddha's birthday); May: 13 Ascension Day; August: 17 Indonesia Independence Day; September: 11 and 12 Eid-ul-Fitr Muslim festival to end Ramadan, 13 shared holiday by government decree; November: 17 Idul Adha, cattle sacrifice and hajj pilgrimage; December: 7 Islamic New Year (1432), 25 Christmas.

The main religious event on Lombok is the Bau Nyale Festival (Feb or Mar). The Lingsar Temple is the site of a mock war in October for Perang Topat.

Romantic Dinner at Qunci Villas - Mangsit Beach

Have unforgettable romantic moments in Qunci Villas

Take a closer look at the Romantic Dinner's Menu
at Qunci Villa


1st Course

Truffle Flavored Chicken Ballotine and Lemongrass Broth

- Or -

 
Vietnamese Citrus Enoki Yellowtail Tuna Carpaccio



2nd Course

Ponzu Seagrapes Scallops

- Or -

Beef Rendang Crispy Ravioli

3rd Course

Grilled Lobster

Steamed Green Vegetables, Chilli and Lime Dressing

- Or -

Import Beef Tenderloin

Sautéed Mushrooms, Curry Mashed Pumpkin, Cream of Parsley

Dessert

Caramel Volcano Cake with Strawberry Coulis 

***

Coffee or Tea

Inclusive Mineral Water and a Bottle of Red/White Wine

Rate USD 160/couple

For further details and reservation, feel free to drop your message at:

abbatourandtravel@gmail.com

twitter: @YourTripMate 

Line/Whatssap: +62 87878405640 

Hannah and Nick -
clients from Taiwan had their romantic moments in Qunci's Romantic Dinner
Pic courtesy: Nick Chen

Senggigi Beach Hotel's Beach Area - A Cozy Spot Near The City Area

The Senggigi region is the main tourist destination in Lombok. The heart is popular for its beautiful west facing beaches to view the sun sets over Mt Agung - Bali.

Senggigi is not a typical tourist resort town, such as may be found in Bali where a day can be spent shopping and socializing at the local bars and restaurants. However there are enough bars, pool tables, TV screens with sports broadcasts, relaxing lounge areas and beach side restaurants to keep people occupied should that be their focus. Many visitors use Senggigi as a home base and take day trips to the waterfalls, the Gili Islands, or just go exploring the still authentic villages, temples, and forest habitat found within a couple of hours drive.

Among all the options Senggigi can offer us, the beach area of Senggigi Beach Hotel offers a enchanting stunning sunset moment.

Gorgeous Sunset (almost) Every Day

Basillico Cafe 

At Basillico Cafe

The view here is a great playground for photographers as it offers stunning views before, during, and after sunset.

Robin from Beijing
Participants of our Lombok Photography Tour 2012

Eileen from Spore
Participants of our Lombok Photography Tour 2012

Hannah and Cecille from HK
Participants of our Lombok Photography Tour 2012

Sun worshipers would pack up this area before sunset