West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara Barat)

1. Gili Gili: Chasing The Green Turtles
Have you ever seen a green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in its glory? The way it moves at the bottom of the sea is amazingly graceful. Olympic medalists have nothing on green turtles. You should be able to spot these turtles in the depth of 10-20 meter below sea level. If you're interested in observing one, your best bet is to travel to the three Gilis: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. These are small islands situated in the north of Lombok. In local Sasak language, "Gili" means "island". And in Indonesian language, plural is denoted by repeating a noun. So "Gili Gili" literally means "islands". So if you catch someone bragging about how often he's been to "Gili Islands", he's either too ignorant or spewing hot air. From Gili Trawangan, you may keep on traveling to Gili Meno, where you can find a bird park. And if you're allergic to crowded areas, you should definitely go to Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili Air itself functions more as a residency for locals.
In addition, for those loving snorkeling can sound out the beauty of underwater of these three Gilis in where blue corals are spread beautifully. This kind of corals is found only in Tiga Gili Island and Caribbean Sea. At Gili Trawangan, visitors may dive in Meno Wall's diving spots, to the west part of Gili Meno, at Sunset Point to the south of Gili Terawangan. In 18-20 meter depth dives will meet and see white pit shark, manta, and turtle. Or at Wreck Point, around 500 meter from Mentigi beach, that in 43 meter depth is found remain of sunken ship full of ridge of rocks. Enjoying the beauty of under seawater at Gili calls for more money to spend. To rent a diving instrument for those having diving certificate needs US 25 dollar, excluding motor-boat fee and diving guide cost. For snorkeling needs Rp 50.000 per person. Diving course is also available for the beginner costing US 300 dollar, plus certificate.
2. Gunung Rinjani National Park: One of the Best Treks in Southeast Asia
Gunung Rinjani National Park covers an area of 41,330 hectares on the northern part of Lombok. The peak of Gunung Rinjani reaching up to 3,726m dominates the landscape. Gunung Rinjani National Park offers the beauty of the volcano, the Segara Anakan Crater Lake and the challenge of climbing the mountain. There are also guided village tours which provide a glimpse of local culture and the opportunity to meet the locals.

3. Mount Rinjani: Where the Community Manage the Treks
Other peaks nearby are Mt. Baru, Mt Sangkareang, Mt. Buang, Mt Kondo and Mt Manuk. These mountains separated to each others by wide valleys and deep gullies with steep rock slopes. There is a lake called Segara Anak (2,008 m) on the valley Wes of Mt. Rinjani. The water smells of sulfur with temperature varies from place to place, from cold to warm and hot. An active volcano (Mt. Baru) is growing in the lake.
Gunung Rinjani National Park lies within a major bio-geographical transition zone (Wallcaeae), where the flora and fauna of South East Asia meets that of Australasia. The National Park, one of over 40 throughout Indonesia, was established in 1997. For the people of Lombok, Sasak and Balinese alike, Mt. Rinjani is revered as a sacred place and abode of deities. The crater lake is a pilgrimage destination for tens of thousand each year. Pilgrims place offering in the water and bathe away ailments in the hot springs.
For visitors, the three-day Rinjani trek route from Senaru to the crater rim, down to the Crater Lake then on to Sembalun Lawang, is considered one of the best treks in South East Asia. Trekkers that are more adventurous aim for the summit, it best reached from Sembalun Lawang returning after four days to Senaru. To assist with conservation and ensure that communities on the boundary of the National Park benefit from tourism revenues, the Rinjani Trek is managed by a partnership of National Park officials, the public and private sectors of the Lombok tourism industry and community representatives. Community run cooperatives coordinate the Trek at the Rinjani Trek Center (RTC) in Senaru and the Rinjani Information Center (RIC) in Sembalun Lawang. Each has roster system for guides and porters, village tour activities and handicraft sales.
Revenue from tourism activities and entry fees is used for conservation, raining, management and assisting the National Park with maintenance of the Rinjani Trek, thus ensuring sustainability. Overseeing and supporting these activities is the Rinjani Trek Management Board, combining the authority of the central government (National Park) and local government (tourism office), with the voices of Lombok tourisms private sector, and the boundary communities. This institutional model is unique in Indonesia and considered an example for practical implementation of the ideals of ecotourism.
Beside the mountain it self, other things for you to do or see is:
o Caves: One of the three famous caves (Goa Susu, Goa Payung, and Goa Manik), Susu Cave is a good place for self reflection and is often used as a place to meditate.
o Healing Hot Springs: Aiq Kalak means hot water and it is used to cure various deseases. One of the hot springs is named Pangkereman Jembangan which is meant a place for dipping. The water which spurts out of the spring is very hot. People also use the hot spring to make medicine from coconut cream. After dipping a bottle of coconut cream in the hot spring if the liquid becomes clear oily it can be used as medicinal oil. Then the medicinal oil is used for good things and is called Siu Satus Tunggal or in Bayan language Siu Satunggal which means that it can be used to cure a thousand kinds of disease.
o Segara Anak Lake: Segara Anak Lake is so wide it appears like the sea with its blue water. The name Segara Anak means child of the sea. Segara Anak Lake holds various mysteries and invisible power.
o Local Strawberry: This plant grows along the route to Mt. Rinjani. It has thorns like the rose and the fruit is red like strawberry. It has a sweet and slightly sour taste and is good to eat when trekkers are hungry and thirsty.
o Eternal Flower or Edelweis: The plant or the flowers should not be taken because it grows in the park and in the mysterious world of the spirit kingdom. In the past, someone who wanted this flower must be brave enough to fight and gamble his soul. That is why the flower is called Sandar Nyawa. The flower has never wilted and is as old as the mysterious spirits.
o The Peak of Rinjani: The people of Lombok believe that the peak of Mt. Rinjani is where Dewi Anjani, the queen spirit and ruler of Mt. Rinjani lives. To the south-east from the peak in a sea of dust called Segara Muncar is the invisible palace of the queen Dewi Anjani and her followers.
o Mount Baru Jari: Gunung Baru is the name of the new volcano which emerged in the center of Segara Anak Lake. People believe that Gunung Baru is the navel of Mt. Rinjani. That is why if Gunung Baru erupted it will not harm the people of Lombok unless the eruption is from the peak of Mt. Rinjani.
4. Senggigi Beach: Lombok's Most Famous Resort Area
Senggigi is Lombok's oldest and most famous resort area. A perfect place to relax, Senggigi boasts a series of white sandy beaches and safe swimming areas. The point at central Senggigi has good waves for surfers. This place has a colourful reef which provides shelter to a variety of marine life and exquisitely shapped coral and makes it a perfect place to snorkle. In the dry season, there is an interesting variety of boats moored in the bay. The town of Senggigi spreads out along nearly 10 kilometers of coastal road. This road continues north to Bangsal, the port for the Gili Islands.
To Do:
o Swimming off the beach is safe.
o You can also do some canoeing here in Senggigi.
o Visit Pura Batu Bolong on a rocky point south of Senggigi.
o There's good snorkeling off the point and in the sheltered bay around the headland.

(references: www.indonesia.travel and www.my-indonesia.info)