West Nuas Tenggara

Introduction
Lombok and Sumbawa, the two main island of West Nusa Tenggara (Nusa Tenggara refers to the islands east of Bali) offer a charming variety of landscapes, places of interest and activities for the tourist. At least five tropical islands (The Gilis – Trawangan, Meno, and Air, Gili Nanggu, Moyo Island) and coastlines lined with pristine beaches and fabulous waters for swimming, sunbaking, sailing, surfing, fishing and underwater activities await.

The countryside is ideal for trekking and for those with an adventurous spirit. Lombok has Mt. Rinjani, an awe inspiring volcano which soars to a height of 3726 m, while Sumbawa’s Mt Tambora is credited with the most destructive eruption in recorded history. It once was the highest mountain in South East Asia until it violently erupted in 1815, blowing its own head off and reducing its height to 2850 m.

Lombok and Sumbawa have many areas of marine production such as fish, shrimps, seaweed and pearling. Around the slopes of Rinjani are forest, plantation or agricultural areas sprinkled with various waterfalls and long sloping ridges. There are plenty of wet rice fields. In the dry season of central Lombok these give way to tobacco production. In the drier areas of southern Lombok and Sumbawa dry rice and other cash crops become common. Sumbawa has significant pastural areas for cattle, goats and horses.

Lombok’s accommodation list includes fine local hotels and international 5 star hotels such as Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Novotel and Oberoi. Sumbawa has an Aman resort Moyo island, which has had a number of famous guests such as Princess Diana and ranges of hotels particularly at Huu (internationally known Lakey Beach), Maluk / Sekongkang (in south-west Sumbawa).