by Barrie | January 26th, 2011 Tweet 
Lombok has always lagged behind Bali in regards to tourism. These days, Lombok is used as a stepping stone to the nearby Gili Islands. This doesn’t mean that there is nothing to do on the island.
On the contrary, Lombok is an island of stunning palm-fringed, white sand beaches and the interior of the island has majestic panoramas overlooked by Gunung Rinjani. Add to that the mystical Sasak culture and you have a perfect island holiday. There are a multitude of five star resorts and a variety of other accommodation to suit all budgets.
But, will it become the ‘new Bali’? There is no doubt that Bali is getting a bit worn around the edges and tourists are looking for other destinations. Nothing could be better than Bali’s sister island; Lombok. All pointers to this happening are promising. A new international airport is expected to open later this year, and, also the big investments from the Middle-East.
In an article appearing in the newspaper WAToday, Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is leading a bidding race to develop an unspoilt southern coastline of white sand into a world class resort and luxury residential community. I was recently in Lombok and visited this area around Kuta and yes, it is pristine. The whole idea of this development will be eco-based tourism. This alone will surely attract many visitors. After all, it’s only a half hour flight from Denpasar.
Lombok’s culture is not as obviously rich as Bali’s, but taking a tough hike up an active volcano, Mount Rinjani, or snorkelling in pristine waters will seem appealing to tourists and travellers alike.
Ubud will always be a special place in Bali for those wishing to escape the rat-race of the touristy areas of Kuta. In one of the most scenic areas on the island and directly north-east of Ubud in Central Bali is located the village of Petulu; famed for its artists, dancers and carvers of wood and stone. But that is not only what the village is renowned for. It is also a bird sanctuary and home to the famous Javan Pond Heron and Plumed Egrets. 
No one really knows why the Herons, who first began roosting there in 1966, chose Petulu as their nesting site. Ask any of the elders in the village and they will tell you that the birds are in fact reincarnations of the tens of thousands of men and women who died during the civil unrest throughout Bali in 1966. It is a well known fact that many of those Balinese who died were laid to rest near the roosting grounds.
Lombok has so much to offer travellers and any visitor to the island will be first struck by the awesome and natural beauty of the environment. But, the island has so much more and their culture and handicrafts are amazing. When I last visited there I was particularly interested in the textiles woven using traditional looms.
In light of the recent disease outbreaks in Bali including those of Dengue Fever, the Swine Flu and of late, Legionnaires Disease it seemed like a good idea to discuss health and travel. It’s important to note that when travelling anywhere in the tropics – whether it be only Bali or the other islands in the archipelago of Indonesia – be securely vaccinated. This is only common sense.
It has been some time since I last visited the Mother Temple of Bali; 
Although Bali is a small island there is still so much to see and do, and, it will take more than one trip to the island to cover most of the attractions. The northern part of Bali is a good starting place and heading in that direction from Kuta a lot can be seen and done. You can immerse yourself in Balinese culture, see stunning temples and spectacular scenery that will take your breath away.
Bali has had its fair share of disease outbreaks over the years and of late it has been Dengue Fever. Now the threat of Legionnaires’ disease is becoming a threat to travellers. This is a fatal disease and already six West Australians have come down with the illness.
I would venture to say that a majority of tourists to Bali rarely imbibe in the authentic food available at the smaller warungs and road-side stalls. The answer to this is simple; westerners shun at the thought of eating this way and that’s understandable. Of course a lot of you would have imbibed in the traditional nasi goreng (or as my friend calls it ‘nasi go-wrong’). But, how many try the traditional Balinese cuisine?
Fortunately, Bali is blessed with a plethora of traditional upmarket restaurants and warungs serving traditional Balinese food. Instead of entering that upmarket restoran, try some local food from a warung and enjoy a bit of interaction with the locals. Over the decades I have been travelling through the archipelago, this has always been my way. You would be surprised at how much information about places and attractions in the area, upcoming local festivals or celebrations, and even get invitations to dine with local families in the following days you will get. 
Whenever you travel to Bali [or the rest of the archipelago of Indonesia] it is useful to know prime dates of celebrations and public holidays. There are certain dates on the calendar when everything is closed; such as Nyepi.
Tourists and travellers to Bali have an abundance of places in which to shop for general goods and in fact, places where you can wile away the hours. Most newcomers to Bali generally head to Matahari Square for a bit of shopping and window-gazing. Although becoming less popular as an attraction these days, it is still a fascinating place for first-timers. 
There are so many spectacular places to visit in Bali that it is impossible to see them all in a short visit to the island. For those tourists who prefer organised bus trips to see the many places is ideal if you only have a short time or unsure of where to go and what to see. Most five star hotels offer there day tours as do several tour agencies around town.
Route 1: This one I call the ‘tourist run’ to Kintamani mainly because it passes through several towns worthy of note – Batubulan for its marvellous stone carvings, mostly of Balinese Gods, Celuk where you will find the streets lined with galleries and shops selling gold and silver to the markets at Sukawati, the two-storey art market where you can buy goods at almost half the price you pay in Kuta. From there you pass through Batuan renowned for its many talented artists and it here you will find several art galleries and studios, then onto the large textile town of Gianyar famous for its Endek weaving and then through the sleepy town of Bangli where you will find one of the finest garden temples on the island – Pura Kehen – and finally onto Penelokan.
Route 2: Probably one of my favourite routes taking you through the archaeological centre of Bali often referred to as the holy land. Here you will find temples and artifacts dating back to the Majapahit period in Bali and several antiquities dating as far back as the 11th Century. The interesting part of this route starts at Blahbatuh where you will find Pura Gaduh and inside the temple the large stone head of Kebo Iwa. Further along the road is located Pura Dharma Bukit Durga Kutri. This is an interesting temple as it has superb carvings of elephants guarding the outer gates and oddly enough, pigs at the inner gate. Its main feature is the statue of the Goddess Durga perched on a sacred altar at the top of a steep flight of stone steps. 
Route 3: An interesting and straight run north to the volcano with a few interesting places along the way. Firstly would be the artistic centre of Mas with its array of small galleries. The town is also home to some of the finest artists on the island. An interesting centre for wood carvings is the village of Tegalalang. Several workshops and galleries here are worth a look-see. Further along the road heading north you will come to another village known for its fine wood at Pujungkelod. From there it is only a few kilometres to Sebatu. The Pura Gunung Kwai Sebatu is an interesting temple. Sebatu is also a connecting point to Tampaksaring and the sacred springs or you can carry on further north to Kintamani. Nearby Sebatu is located the Elephant Safari Park at Taro. Actually, the village of Taro is home to the lowland Bali Aga and in this village you will find some unique longhouses. After visiting here it is only a short ride north to Kintamani.
Route 4: Without a doubt the most straightforward and fastest way to Kintamani and the route that I often take when heading to the north-east of the island thus passing thought the area around Kintamani. The road takes you through the outskirts of Ubud and continues through areas of rich ricefields and some stunning panoramas. The further north you travel the richer the flora and the mountain views are a delight. Along the way there are several warungs worth stopping at for refreshments as are the numerous fruit stalls along the side of the road. Interestingly enough, the closer you get to Kintamani it seems as though the fruit for sale has a richer taste and definitely infinitely more delicious. Must be something to do with high altitude! At the end of your drive you come out on the Kintamani road at Kertabuana. There never used to be a collection point for access at this T-junction but there is now!
Bali has always been synonymous with family travel and indeed there are countless activities for kids to enjoy on the island. One of the most popular is Waterbom Park in Tuban where kids [and adults] can have a fabulous time on the numerous themed waterslides and pools.
I don’t know about you but I reckon this year has flown by as has the decade. Anyway, it’s big-time party time again and the tourist strip will be absolute mayhem with New Year’s Eve reveller’s bringing in the coming year in Bali. Bars, nightclubs and the ilk, in fact wherever alcohol is served, will be overflowing with party people.