“Long overshadowed by its superstar neighbour across the Lombok Strait there’s a steady hum about Lombok that catches the ear of travellers looking for something different from Bali. Blessed with exquisite white-sand beaches, epic surf, a lush forested interior, and hiking trails through tobacco and rice fields, Lombok is fully loaded with equitorial allure. Oh, and you’ll probably notice mighty Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia’s second-highest volcano, its summit complete with hot springs and a dazzling crater lake. Lombok’s traditional tourist resort, Senggigi enjoys a fine location along a series of sweeping bays, with light-sand beaches sitting pretty below a backdrop of jungle-clad mountains and coconut palms. In the late afternoon a setting blood-red sun sinks into the surf next to the giant triangular cone of Bali’s Gunung Agung.”-Lonely Planet
“Picture three minuscule desert islands, fringed by white-sand beaches and coconut palms, sitting in a turquoise sea: the Gilis are a vision of paradise. It’s not hard to understand the Gilis’ unique appeal, for a serenity endures (no motorbikes or dogs!) and a palm-shaded languor. Each island has its own special character. Gili Trawangan is a paradise of global repute, ranking as one of Indonesia’s top destinations. Trawangan’s heaving main drag can surprise those expecting some languid tropical retreat. Behind [a] glitzy facade [of lounge bars, hip guesthouses and ambitious restaurants] a bohemian character endures, with rickety warungs and reggae joints surviving between the cocktail tables. Gili Air falls between Gili T’s sophistication and Meno’s minimalist vibe, and is for many just right. The white-sand beaches here are arguably the best of the Gili bunch and there’s just enough buzz to provide a dash of nightlife. Gili Meno is the smallest of the three Gili Islands and a good setting for your desert-island fantasy. Meno has a certain Robinson Crusoe charm, although new resorts under construction will mean Crusoe will want to don some Ray-Bans. Each has a distinct personality. Find the one that matches yours.” -Lonely Planet
“Spectacular Komodo, its steep hillsides jade in the short wet season, frazzled by the sun and winds to a deep rusty red for most of the year, is the largest island in the national park. A succession of eastern peninsulas spread out like so many fingers, fringed in pink sand, thanks to the abundance of red coral offshore. Ever more travellers are descending on [Labuan Bajo, a] gorgeous, slightly ramshackle harbour town, freckled with offshore islands and blessed with idyllic views that offer surrealist sunsets. Labuanbajo’s main drag, Jl Soekarno Hatta, is lined with cool cafes, guesthouses, travel agents and a few hopping bars. The waterfront is spiffed-up and the connections to other parts of Indonesia are excellent. With the many beguiling islands just offshore, you may find Labuanbajo (or Bajo as it’s commonly called) hard to leave, even as the draw of Flores proper lures you east.”-Lonely Planet
