Lombok Int'l airport to begin operation soon
An international airport, currently under
construction in Central Lombok regency, West Nusa
Tenggara, is scheduled to be in operation in the
coming months, an official said Tuesday.
Local provincial administration spokesman Ahmad
Baharuddin, said that a soft opening for the airport
was originally scheduled for this month, but was
delayed due to the lack of supporting facilities,
especially road access from the capital to the
airport.
“State owned PT Angkasa Pura I, which is in charge
of managing the airport facility, was not ready for
the soft opening,” Baharuddin said in Mataram, as
quoted by Antara state news agency.
The soft opening will possibly be delayed until June
or July, he said, adding the delay was mainly caused
by the fact the local administration still required
funds to finance land clearance to enable the
construction of a bypass leading to the airport.
The Rp 110 billion (US$11.80 million) airport
project is designed to have a 1,750-meter runway and
various facilities, including two aprons of 62,072
square meters, Baharuddin said.
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The best areas to stay on Lombok
Lombok geographically is almost the same size as
Bali and, just as there are popular tourist areas on
Bali, so Lombok offers a variety of destinations to
suit different holidaymakers' tastes. Following is
an overview of the most popular areas to stay in
Lombok.
Senggigi is the main tourist area on the mainland,
with the town stretching along several fantastic
bays on the west coast, and is only 20 minutes from
the island's Selaparang airport. It is the ideal
base from which to explore the island, and all major
tourist attractions can be reached by day trips from
Senggigi, including boat trips from Senggigi Bay out
to the Gilis.
The Gili Islands are one of the most popular
destinations on Lombok; every year thousands of
people flock to these three small islands just off
the northwest coast of Lombok. With many fast boat
options such as Gili Cat and Blue Water Express
providing easy transfers between the Gilis and Bali,
the islands have become a popular getaway not just
for overseas travelers but for those living on Bali
too.
Kuta, the main tourist area on the south coast of
Lombok, is not to be confused with its famous
namesake in Bali. Kuta, Lombok, is a peaceful beach
destination that has found fame due to the great
surf locations that surround the small town.
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Lombok launches tourism promo despite bombings
West Nusa Tenggara's West Lombok regency has
launched a month-long tourism promotion, touting the
safety of its area following Friday's bombings in
Jakarta.
"All Lombok residents condemn the attacks. Violence
is definitely not our culture," West Lombok Regent
Wiratmaja told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
West Lombok launched the month-long "Bulan Citra
Budaya" (cultural month) on Friday, shortly after
suicide bombers attacked the JW Marriott and
Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, killing nine people
and injuring more than 50.
West Nusa Tenggara Governor H. M. Zainul Madji said
the one-month event was a regular program aimed at
boosting the number of visitors coming to Lombok and
Sumbawa islands.
"We expect the event can support our Visit
Lombok-Sumbawa 2012 program that we expect will
attract one million tourists," Madji said.
Visitors are being enticed by the regions visual and
performing arts.
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Sexiest Southeast Asian beaches
Dreaming of a steamy, languid tropical escape but
looking for someplace a bit more exotic than Hawaii
or the Caribbean? Venture further afield in
Southeast Asia, which has a dazzling array of sandy
options. You can easily find luxury, a hint of
adventure and even a few spots where the U.S. dollar
still holds its value.
Indonesia's reputation as an exotic beach
destination remains unmarred and sexy Aussies flock
here. Coeds prefer the more obvious Kuta Beach, but
sexy grown-ups consider Dreamland Beach, an up and
coming spot on the Bukit Peninsula, the most
beautiful beach in the entire country. About 30
minutes drive from Kuta (and now with impending
development, nicknamed "New Kuta Beach"), Dreamland
has traditionally been accessed through Tommy
Suharto, son of former President Suharto's,
abandoned property. Previously, your only options
while watching the spectacular sunset were basic
pretty basic cafes and local shops, but with the
junior Suharto now building a tony new resort, if
the beach isn't dreamy enough for you, new gourmet
and pampering options are likely to impress.
If you're looking to get off the mainland and
totally off the beaten track in Indonesia, Trawangan
Gili, the largest of the three Gili islands, is just
25 minutes by ferry off the coast of Lombok. What
makes this island sexy is its unplugged, "Age of
Aquarius" vibe. Magic mushrooms are legal for sale,
raves on the beach under the moonlight are not
uncommon, and you can circumnavigate this
undeveloped sandy islet in under two hours and be
sure to find a private nook. The natural highs
include spectacular snorkeling and dive sights,
including the Trawangan Slope off the Southeast
coast, Sunset Reef and Shark Point off the West
coast, and the appropriately named Jammin' Reef off
the south coast.
If you're a fan of the far-flung, you'll have
ultimate bragging rights after a visit to Pasir
Putih in East Timor. This pretty, pristine deserted
beach is located about five miles east of the former
Portuguese colony of Dili. Emerging after three
years as an independent nation, a visit here is only
for the intrepid, like travel in Thailand in the
1960s. |
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