Competing with Bali, Lombok also has many beautiful treats for tourists, whether domestic and foreign travelers. The Sasak Sade Tribe and the traditional side are some of them. It’s not surprising if Lombok is also crowded with visitors like its neighbor, Bali.
Recommended Tourist Destination in Lombok
Many tourists are wondering where is Lombok Bali. As a small island next to Bali, Lombok has a few of its beaches as the top tourist destination, as follows:
- Kuta Beach
Lombok also has this beach, where the natural beauty of coral reefs which can be seen from the surface of the sea is the advantage. Its natural landscape is also still pure, it’s often used as the location for surfing, windsurfing, banana boating, and paragliding.
- Pink Beach
The popularity of this new destination whose real name is Tangsi Beach, has increased drastically, it’s because of its pink sand that succeeded in grabbing the visitors’ attention. That color comes from algae and red coral flaker blend with white sand. Besides sand and coast, the underwater scenery of pink beach is also beautiful and it’s fit for snorkeling and diving locations.
- Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air
These three tiny islands in the middle of the ocean can present its beauty through its clear sea water, clean white sand without any rubbish, and also coral reefs inhabited by ornamental fish. Since three of them have their own characteristic, tourists seem to be divided according to their traits, personalities, and interests when visiting
Gili Trawangan is the biggest, the majority of tourists are enthusiastic young people. Gili Mena that is situated at the center is fit for the visitors that are looking for calmness and quietness. Gili Air is often visited by those who are on a vacation with their families.
- Sade Village
This village of The Sasak Lombok Tribe is still traditional. Inhabited by only 700 people, the beautiful scenery of wooden houses with bamboo walls, and palm fiber roof make this village more appealing. The community also produced Tenun fabric in there which they sell with variable prices depending on its size and complexity.
- Tanjung Aan Beach
This hidden beach is relatively quiet and is more often visited by foreign tourists. The clear sea and white sand are the reason why this beach is the prima donna of the Lombok tour. Surrounded by green hills that are not too high enhance the beauty of Tanjung Aan, which is surely too good to be missed.
Barong Dance Performance Schedule at Ubud and Batubulan
Let’s go now to Bali where Ubud village has a choice of nature, cultural, and art tours. One of them is a traditional dance called Barong Dance, in which the performance is held in several locations. Barong Dance Bali schedule and the price variations are as follows:
| DAY | LOCATION | TIME | TICKET PRICE |
| Monday | Sandi Swara Wantilan | 7 pm – 8.30 pm | 75.000 IDR |
| Wednesday | Puri Saren Ubud | 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm | 80.000 IDR |
| Thursday | Pura Dalem Ubud | 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm | 50.000 IDR |
| Friday | Puri Saren Ubud | 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm | 80.000 IDR |
Barong Dance performances are also held in Batubulan Village, Gianyar Regency. The show takes place in three different places and is held every day from 09.00 am to 10.00 am Central Indonesia Time. To grab the best seat, visitors are advised to come earlier.
Both Lombok and Bali serve tourist destinations charmingly and wonderfully. Whether in terms of nature sceneries or art tourism, both have their own appeals which certainly will always satisfy many tourists.
Peter Beaumont is a senior reporter on the Guardian’s Global Development desk. He has reported extensively from conflict zones including Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East and is the author of The Secret Life of War: Journeys Through Modern Conflict. Email: peter@thehearus.com
