My travel favorites

About me Trips & Tricks

I have visited 4 continents, 50 countries and 20 states in the past 15 years. Not bad for someone who only has 24 days off work per year, right? Well, there is simply not enough time to see everything (as I say in my Instagram bio: “someone has to pay the bills”), and some places are so wonderful that I just HAVE TO keep coming back. I have created a list of “My travel favorites”, where you can get the feeling what type of traveler I am and hopefully add one of them to your bucket list as well. After all, you are here to get some new travel tips, right? 😉 So, my travel favorites are …

1. MY FAVORITE ISLAND: MAHE (SEYCHELLES)

Ah, those huge granite rocks. It was love at first sight. I am definitely coming back, but next time probably to Praslin or La Digue. So I am expecting a small change here, because I heard they are even more gorgeous than Mahe!

2. MY FAVORITE CITY: NEW YORK CITY (USA)

Been there 5 times already and still loving it each time. Jaw dropping Central park in the middle of the concrete jungle with all types of skyscrapers, modern architecture and lovely Art Deco buildings… and romantic Brooklyn bridge with the majestic views of Manhattan and Statue of Liberty. Sorry Dubai, but New York City is much more genuine 😉

3. MY FAVORITE COUNTRY: SLOVENIA

Sure, Slovenia is my home and the only country with the word LOVE in its name, but it is also one of the best countries to live in. I am speaking from different points of views here: quality of life is really good, it is one of the safest countries in the world and Slovenia’s nature is fantastic as well. The only thing I miss is better airport connections, and I wouldn’t mind having summer all the time 😉

4. MY FAVORITE ROAD TRIP: NEVADA – UTAH – ARIZONA – CALIFORNIA (USA)

I’ve done it twice and it was not enough. Those wonderful US National parks can leave you speechless for days. It is a long road trip though, so it takes time and a lot of driving. But it’s worth it. And all those gorgeous cliffs and bays along the Highway 1 from San Francisco to San Diego… yep, I am definitely coming back!

5. MY FAVORITE BEACH VACATION: MALDIVES

Because Maldives NEVER disappoint and it doesn’t take much to pick a perfect spot for hassle free vacation. When I want to get away from everything, and don’t want any negative surprises, Maldives are always a good choice. I just hope they won’t disappear too soon.

 

6. MY FAVORITE NATURE DESTINATION: ALASKA (USA)

Speaking of getting away from all the hustle and bustle, here is also Alaska. Not as a country (it’s actually not much of a country, to be honest), or as an “ordinary” vacation destination. Alaska is more about wonderful landscapes and wildlife, and if you are a nature lover this is the place to be. It deserves a special category in my favorite travels’ list and I wonder what it will take to beat this beauty. I am actually thinking of visiting Alaska once more, but it’s too damn far away.

7. MY FAVORITE ROMANTIC GETAWAY: TAJ MAHAL (AGRA, INDIA)

Well, this is a tough one. It depends on a lot of things: is it a surprise getaway, is it with a special purpose (like anniversary), is it a place where you feel the most comfortable, is it a place where you fell in love…? a lot of “ifs”. But if I had to shoot, I’d say my favorite romantic getaway was visiting Taj Mahal. The story behind this magnificent piece of art is as romantic as it gets. And so is the building itself. I have visited in on my 40th birthday, so it also has a special place in my heart.

So this is it for now. I’ll probably add a category or two in the future. Which one would you add and which are your favorites? Scroll down for a comment 😉

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Reasons to visit Cape Town, South Africa

Africa Trips & Tricks

Cape Town is South Africa’s most popular tourist destination – and for good reason. There’s so much to see and do in this city that you’ll never be lost for things to do. I have done some quick research and the following reasons to visit Cape Town have convinced me to immediately add this capital to my travel bucket list. 

1. Cape Town can be budget friendly

You get a lot for your money in Cape Town. Accommodation can be expensive in the centre (as it is in most cities), but if you’re willing to venture out you’ll find plenty of bargains. In fact, you may be able to afford an upmarket apartment for your vacation if you’re willing to stay on the outskirts. Meanwhile, public transport is very affordable and there are lots of cheap places to eat and drink.

2. The beaches in Cape Town are beautiful

South Africa’s capital is also blessed with some beautiful beaches, which consist of large stretches of white sand (yay!). If you’re looking to catch a tan and mingle with the rich and trendy, the Atlantic Seaboard Beaches are the place to go. For a calmer setting with less crowds, the False Bay Beaches are a good choice. As for those that love their surfing, your best option is the Table Bay beaches where the waves attract people from around the world. South Africa’s year-round warm weather means that a trip to beach is always worthwhile. You can also spot various wildlife including penguins, seals and even sharks (but don’t worry – most the touristy beaches are shark-free).

3. Explore the rich history

There’s also a rich history to Cape Town for those that want a more cultural trip. Castle of Good Hope is one of the most popular historical attractions – this castle was built in the 1600s and is one of the oldest colonial structures in South Africa. For a modern historical sight, the prison of Robben Island is well worth a visit – here you can visit Nelson Mandela’s jail cell and take organised tours led by former inmates. There are meanwhile plenty of museums in the city for exploring Cape Town’s past including Iziko South African Museum (great for dinosaur lovers) and Cape Town Holocaust Centre (a humbling look into the genocide that once took place).

4. You can taste the local wine

The area around Cape Town is popular for wine growing and produces some of South Africa’s most famous and popular wines. Franschoek and Stellenbosch are two of the best regions in the area. There are plenty of opportunities for wine tasting, as well as vineyard tours for those that want to learn about the creation process behind these wines. Best thing to do is rent a car and organise your own handpicked tour of the vineyards.

5. The food is amazing

Cape Town is also an excellent city for foodies. It’s prime location on the former Dutch East India Company Spice Route helped the city to develop a number of unique spiced dishes such as biltong and boerewors. The markets are a great place to eat authentic South African food on the cheap, however there are also plenty of restaurants for those that want to treat themselves to some fine dining. There are also many other cosmopolitan flavours to be had in Cape Town from Chinese food to Italian. Famous places to eat in Cape Town include The Test Kitchen, Pot Luck Club and Bistro Bizerca Signal.

6. Climb a Table mountain

There are many natural sights to be found on the outskirts of Cape Town. Table Mountain is the most iconic of these natural sights – the 1055m mountain towers over the city and offers incredible views from its peak. You can take a two hour hike up it or you can take a more leisurely cable car ride. Adrenaline junkies can even abseil down the mountain!

7. It’s a shopper’s paradise

At last, but not the least, Cape Town also has plenty of places to shop. Long Street is one of the most popular destinations for shoppers – it’s long had a bohemian feel and is home to many unique fashion stores and book shops. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront also offers a vibrant array of places to shop along with plenty of restaurants and bars to stop at when you get tired of shopping. On top of this the city has plenty of markets for buying traditional souvenirs such as ceramics and stylish handcrafted jewellery.

Have you been in Cape Town, or South Africa? Agree with these statements? Do share your experience with us, scroll below for a comment 😉

(collaborative post)

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Hotel review: Boutique hotel Acacia (Lovran, Croatia)

Croatia Europe Hotel reviews

Have I told you lately that I love Opatija riviera? Well, more exactly, I love the whole riviera from Rijeka till Mosceniska draga, for many reasons. And I especially love Lovran, because it is quieter and less busy than Opatija, with some fantastic restaurants to enjoy the local Istrian cuisine. The only thing that is a bit disturbing in Lovran is the fact that most of the hotels are closed during low season, starting from November. So, I did some homework and I found this cute adults only and pet friendly hotel, rising above the coastline overlooking the Adriatic sea. Boutique hotel Acacia in Lovran is well worth the visit, and here are the reasons why.

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Sveče gor ali dol, narava je ena sama

Kolumne Slovenski kotiček

Zdaj, ko je večina med vami že kupila in prižgala sveče, bom pa še jaz primaknila svojih 5 centov na temo, ki je zadnje dni spet uspela razdeliti Slovenijo na dva pola. Se mi je zdelo fer, da počakam, ker res ne bi želela v komu zbuditi slabe vesti pri tako intimnem dejanju, kot je obujanje spomina na bližnje.

Ampak ne bom razglabljala o tem, kako jaz žalujem ob svojih izgubah in na kak način se kosmatega bitjeca in ljubih oseb, ki jih ni več med nami, spominjam vsak dan. Ja, vsak dan. Verjetno še najmanj ravno na prvi november, saj sem bila vedno malce uporniška.

Tudi ne bom razglabljala o tem, kako daleč sega tradicija prižiganja sveč in kakšne »barve« je ta običaj. Mimogrede, ljudem, ki tudi v tem vidijo priložnost delitve na »bele in rdeče«, pošiljam en velik objem in upam, da globoko v sebi vseeno vedo, da barve niso pravi izvor njihovega nezadovoljstva. Upanje umre zadnje, pravijo.

Prav tako se ne bom spuščala v podrobnosti, kje in kako naj bi se reciklirale sveče. Sicer sem mnenja, da vsaka reciklaža za sabo potegne nove posledice za okolje in ljudi, lahko pa se seveda motim. Za raziskave, analize in interpretacijo dejstev so tu strokovnjaki, ki jim je pač treba zaupati.

 

Bom pa pristavila svoj lonček na temo nerazgradljivih in okolju škodljivih odpadkov, kamor, verjetno, sodijo tudi sveče. V različnih »argumentih« v prid kupovanju sveč sem namreč prebrala številne zaskrbljujoče komentarje, ki gotovo ne vodijo v konstruktivno razpravo in odgovorno ravnanje do narave. Tako sem, naprimer,  v enem izmed zapisov zasledila poziv, da je prižiganje sveč naša tradicija in naj vendarle pustimo ljudem, da žalujejo po svoje. Nekdo drug je zapisal, da sveče niso naš največji problem, saj vsak dan zavržemo na tone plastike in kemikalij. Spet tretji je komentiral, da so naši »grehi« v primerjavi z Indijo ali Kitajsko pljunek v morje. Ko zmanjka razumnih argumentov, pa večina pristavi, da smo na temo varovanja okolja tako in tako najglasnejši tisti, ki vsakodnevno uporabljamo avtomobile ali potujemo z letali.

Žal moram priznati, da se v kontekstu odgovornega ravnanja do okolja nikakor ne morem šteti za vzor. Res je, skoraj vsak dan se vozim z avtomobilom, saj nimam te sreče, da bi živela v bližini svoje službe (verjemite, da bi mnogo raje hodila peš kot zapravljala čas in živce za vožnjo). Res je, kar precej potujem z letalom, a je več kot polovica teh poti službenih. V našem poslu je pač tako, da se pogodbe še vedno sklepajo z ljudmi, ne z računalniki. In res je tudi to, da včasih kakšno stvar odvržem v »splošne« smeti samo zato, ker se mi ne da ukvarjati s tem, kam sodi.

In ravno zato, ker vem, da je težko spremeniti miselnost, kaj šele dejanja, se trudim, da drugih ne obsojam preveč. Želim si le, da bi se namesto medsebojnega obtoževanja in izgovorov tipa »drugi so še hujši«, raje večkrat vprašali, zakaj ne bi bili boljši. In da se, vsaj na področju odgovornega ravnanja do okolja, ne bi želeli primerjati z Indijci ali Kitajci. Želim si, da bi vsak prispeval toliko, kot lahko in toliko, kot mu dovoli vest. Naj bodo to plastenke, sveče, slamice, plastične vrečke ali pa vožnja z avtomobilom in čezmerno ogrevanje.

Dejstvo je namreč, da se spremembe dogajajo in to hitreje, kot si lahko mislimo. Pred dnevi sem v pogovorni oddaji na Val 202 zasledila, da ima že 90% morskih ptic v želodcu plastiko. Da se je amazonski deževni gozd v zadnjih desetletjih skrčil za več kot 20% (tudi na račun živinoreje, ki je menda ena izmed največjih onesnaževalk okolja). O tem, da se ledeniki talijo in da živalske vrste izginjajo pa tako in tako poslušamo praktično vsak dan. Večina med nami za časa našega življenja morda res ne bo deležna neposrednih vplivov posledic globalnega segrevanja, a to še ne pomeni, da se ne dogajajo.

Mimogrede, ste si že ogledali kratek videoposnetek z naslovom “Nature is speaking”, za katerega glas je prispevala Julia Roberts? Če ne, ogled toplo priporočam. Če ja, si ga oglejte še enkrat. »I don’t really need people. But people need me«, pravi narava. Kaj pa pravite vi? Vam je res vseeno? Tudi za vaše otroke?

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3 highlights for your first trip to Malaysia

Asia Trips & Tricks

Malaysia is one of the best countries in Southeast Asia because it’s got such a diverse mix of cultures. The combination of Malay, Chinese, European and Indian influences have created a varied, rich culture. It is also a very diverse country in terms of nature and landscape. You’ll find beautiful beaches to relax on, amazing rainforests packed with wildlife, and a very modern city of Kuala Lumpur. There is a little bit of something for everybody in Malaysia which is why it should be on everybody’s bucket list. But there’s so much going on that you might not know where to start if you do visit. As Malaysia is huge, you’re never going to do it all in one trip, but it is one of those countries that you could return to over and over again and still find something new. On a first trip, you might concentrate on one of these highlights.

Kuala Lumpur

On the first trip to any country, it’s always a good idea to visit its capital city. It will give you a taste of all of the different things that the country has to offer in one handy package. That’s why you should start your Malaysian adventure in Kuala Lumpur. This great city blends the modern with the traditional and it’s packed with amazing things to see and do. You’ve got a good choice of places to stay in Kuala Lumpur – from the high end expensive places to the more budget hotels, so even if you’re trying to keep costs low, you’ll still be able to find somewhere nice to stay. During my visit in 2017 I stayed in a 4 star Fraser Place hotel, however if you want to save money and have a bit more of your own space, you might want to go for an apartment instead. It’s not that hard to find an affordable and cozy studio for rent in kl which is often better than staying in a hotel. Having your own kitchen space means you can cook your own food instead of eating out all night and you’ll have a bit more independence.

architecture night building city skyscraper high tower landmark facade kuala lumpur symmetry tall malaysia metropolis metropole petronas twin towers petronas towers klcc high rises metropolitan area

There are all sorts of amazing things to do in Kuala Lumpur and you could easily spend your entire visit there. But if you want to see more of the country and you’re not staying in the capital for that long, there are a couple of places you’ve got to visit while you’re there. The architecture is one of the highlights in Kuala Lumpur and the crown jewels of the city are the impressive Petronas Towers. Taking a tour of these giant 88 story steel towers is the best way to get a great view of the city. You can find more photos from Kuala Lumpur in my Facebook album.

The Little India district is another great highlight of the city. This beautiful area of the city is packed with loads of shops selling traditional Indian spices, clothes, and crafts. There are also some well-known massage parlours in the area that are very popular with tourists and locals alike. If you love Indian cuisine, you’ll find loads of great restaurants in the area serving authentic food as well.

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Penang

If you prefer more peaceful places or if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, visit the island of Penang. Its beautiful gardens are really impressive. You’ll find this tropical spice garden in a secluded spot on the road that runs around the island. The plants are well cared for and you can take a tour with lots of interesting information about all of the plants and wildlife. There’s a nice gift shop there which sells nice handmade souvenirs instead of the normal tacky stuff you usually expect to get in a gift shop. The tours are incredibly cheap, coming in at about 5 $ per person so it’s a cheap way to escape the stress of the city for a while and enjoy the incredible natural features in Malaysia.

While you’re on the island of Penang, you should also check out the local street food. You’ll find some of the most exciting street food in the world here so it’s an absolute must while you’re in the area. The ray fish curry is a particular favourite in the area and you probably won’t find it anywhere else in the world. If you are into architecture and culture, you might want to visit something a little more traditional. The Kek Lok Si temple in Penang is one of the largest Buddhist temple complexes in SE Asia with some stunning pagoda temples and beautifully maintained gardens. If you want a taste of traditional Asian culture, this is the best place to find it.animals orangutan mammal fauna great ape primate wildlife terrestrial animal tree common chimpanzee organism jungle forest rainforest new world monkey

Borneo

If you want to see some incredible wildlife, you absolutely have to visit the island of Borneo while you’re in Malaysia. The idyllic beaches on Sipadan Island are home to some incredible Hawksbill Turtles. They’ll swim through the crystal clear water right up to the beaches so you can get up close and personal with them. You can take to the waters with some scuba gear and see all sorts of other amazing wildlife as well. Under the sea, you’ll find over 3000 species of tropical fish including manta rays, barracuda and even some sharks.

The best way to get into the heart of the Borneo jungle is to take a boat trip up the Kinabatangan River. As you move toward the centre of the island, into the thick jungle, you’ll catch a glimpse of elephants and orangutans swinging in the trees. Just watch out for the crocodiles and large lizards along the banks. Look upward and you’ll find some incredible unique birds like the Kingfisher. You can stay in one of the luxury lodges nestled in the heart of the jungle and take a night tour to see another side of this mysterious and awe-inspiring landscape.

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If you really want the best view of this amazing island, you need to climb to the top of Mount Kinabalu. This huge 4000 m mountain is a UNESCO world heritage site which is popular with tourists in the area. It’s a very accessible climb with a lot of well-maintained paths so you don’t need to be an expert to make it on top. Some people like to do the climb in one day but most people tend to stay in the Laban Rata, a luxury hut around two thirds of the way up. There are some great hot springs nearby where you can relax for the evening before climbing to the summit the next morning. The wildlife on Mount Kinabalu doesn’t disappoint either. There are over 5000 different species of plants here as well as orangutans and over 300 species of birds so, even though it’s important that you watch your footing as you climb, make sure to look around and take it all in on your way up. When you finally reach the top, you’ll have a beautiful view of the entire region. If it’s a particularly clear day, you can sometimes even see all the way to the Philippines.

Have you been to Malaysia? Have you seen Kuala Lumpur, or perhaps Borneo? Got some tips to share with us? Write down in a comment!

(collaborative post)

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Hotel review: Jeeva Santai Villas (Lombok, Indonesia)

Asia Hotel reviews Indonesia

After spending 4 amazing nights in Jeeva Beloam beach camp, we were excited to visit another member of “Jeeva” family in Lombok – Jeeva Santai villas in Mangsit. To be honest, I was hesitating with my reservation until the very last moment, deciding also between Qunci villas, Puri Mas resort, Katamaran hotel or Jeeva Klui villas, but my gut told me to go with Jeeva Santai. After the terrible Lombok earthquake some of these resorts were badly damaged, however Jeeva Santai villas managed to stay intact and safe. So once again I got a confirmation that I have to listen to my inner voice more often 😊 I pre-booked the villa online and you can get 15€ off your next booking by using this link (you are welcome 😉 )

 

Location

Jeeva Santai villas property is located in the beginning of Mangsit town, just a short motorbike or taxi drive away from tourist center Senggigi. Taxi drive will only cost you 1$ so really no big deal even if you want to go there twice a day. Mangsit is much more quiet compared to Senggigi (this also means not a lot of shops and restarurants nearby), so if you prefer privacy this is the place to be. The ride from Lombok airport takes around 90 minutes, and the resort offers one way complimentary transport. The location itself really depends on what you want – it is close to Gilis and some beautiful beaches like Nipah and Setangi, however if you want to explore the central Lombok, you will probably want to check locations closer to the capital Mataram. But you will need a vehicle for that anyway… 

The Villas

OH. MY. GOD. The villas already looked amazing in the photos but in live they were fantastic. Jeeva Santai resort hosts 14 villas with pools, hidden discretely behind the walls, offering you a complete privacy. So let’s get nakeeeeed!

The villas are very spacious, with separate bedroom, bathroom and some kind of “rest area” where you can have some dinner or observe your wife/girlfriend releasing her inner child and making handstands in the pool. Speaking of children, this is adults only property – please respect this rule, as it can be very awkward for everybody if you show up with “oh, just a small kid”. Adults only means adults only for a reason. Apart from the bathroom there is also an outdoor shower, which is very convenient if you want to rest in your private “pool bed” outside.

Restaurant – breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner

The beachfront restaurant Sunset Terrace at Pearl’s is located in 2 floors and it offers spectacular views to the islands of Bali. Breakfast is served as “all you can eat” from a la carte menue (with yummy fresh choices of juices and smoothies), and it is really energizing to start your day looking at the ocean, enjoying the eggs of your favorite style. In the afternoon they serve complimentary tea and coffee, and they also add some fresh fruits or cookies aside. Thank you, Bruno Mars (the waiter), for a lovely company!

The beach and the pool

With private pools, who needs to get wet outside, right? Well, almost. I still like to get salty in the ocean. The beach is not as fantastic as it was in Jeeva Beloam, but it is sandy and very clean. To be honest, this was my main concern when watching the pictures, but in the end it turned out to be better than I expected. The 25 m infinity pool is quite large, with enough sunbeds and natural shade to rest in. And, if you are lucky, you can get a fantastic view of Mt Agung (Bali volcano), taking a bath in orange-red colors of the Indian ocean at the sunset. Mostly the skies are cloudy in the afternoon, so I felt like I had hit the jackpot one more time.

Anda’s rate: 9,5 from 10

Bottom line: Staying in Jeeva Santai Villas is something I will never forget. The architecture is amazing, and obviously the construction is solid enough to survive several earthquakes. The staff is too kind and everything was perfect. The only thing I would change is the glass door in the toilet – come on, who wants to share his intimate moments with his or her significant other, right? 😉

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5 things to see in Lombok

Asia Indonesia Trips & Tricks

Want to visit Bali but you are afraid you will end up on a crowded beach or taking a selfie in a rice field full of tourists? Then consider visiting less commercialized Lombok instead. It is just 2 hours’ ferry ride away from Bali. Or just fly in directly from Singapore, Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur. Lombok can offer you stunning beaches, very clean seas, lush green inland, lively waterfalls, friendly monkeys and an impressive Mt Rinjani – an active volcano with breathtaking views of the lake inside its crater. We visited Lombok in September, only a month after the terrible earthquakes, so a lot of places we wanted to see were closed or had limited access. Which was actually just fine because we only had 9 days to enjoy the island, and we didn’t want to spend them running around like mad, wanting to become famous on Instagram. So, if you want to combine easy going beach vacation with some short trips to make your vacation memorable, here are 5 things to see in Lombok (limited to the South and West part of the island).Image may contain: sky, ocean, mountain, outdoor and nature

South Lombok: Kuta, Pink Beach and Tanjug Ringgit

Our plan for the first few days was to rest and make a few short motorbike trips across Ekas peninsula. We rented a motorbike from Jeeva Beloam camp staff and drove to see the famous Pink beach, which is actually not so pink anymore (the locals told us that red corals, which reflect the pink color, are slowly disappearing). While the place itself is well worth visiting, especially the view from the near viewpoint is fantastic, keep in mind that the road is really rough, so be ready for quite a journey. There are also some snorkeling opportunities among the coral reefs, but not nearly as good as in Gili islands (which we didn’t visit, as they were closed). Just a few minutes’ drive away you can see the cliffs of Tanjung Ringgit – rough ocean waves hitting the cliffs in the 50 shades of blue.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have time nor the strength (my bf hurt his knee badly, playing hero among the giant waves of Timor sea) to visit Kuta, which is supposed to be the pearl of the south Lombok. But from what I heard this area has become the second tourist hotspot on Lombok and we are really not interested in massive tourism (although Lombok Kuta is still NOTHING compared to the overcrowded Kuta in Bali). There are however some dream beaches around Kuta area, which are worth visiting: Mawun beach, Selong Belanak and Tajnung Aan.

West Lombok: Senggigi, Mangsit and Nipah beach

Senggigi with its long sandy beach, covered with hotels, bars, restaurants and tour operators, is the center of Lombok tourism. If you like day and night hustle and bustle, this is the place to be. For us it was actually the only way to get some decent food because in Mangsit (where we stayed at Jeeva Santai villas) nothing was open. A taxi from Mangsit to Senggigi costed only 1$, but we decided to rent a motorbike to be even more flexible. We kept returning to Senggigi every day for dining and fantastic massages for less than 5$ at Orchid day’s spa! Plus, we found awesome cappuccino and fresh bread (which is impossible to get anywhere else) at Temptations café and bakery.

 

North of Senggigi you will find a very nice coastal road, with viewpoints at Malimbu Hills. It offers a spectacular view over Malimbu and Nipah Beach, as well as the famous Gili islands. By following the road up north, you can actually get to the place where the public boats drive to the Gilis. The area was unfortunately badly damaged during the earthquake but it is already showing signs of recovery. Most people there depend on tourism so they have no other choice but to recover fast.

Central Lombok: Tetebatu village, waterfalls and rice plantations 

If you want to feel the true green Lombok (especially in the dry season), you need to take the road from the capital Mangsit to the inner part of the island. Set amongst invigorating green rice fields and lush forests that stretch as far as your eyes can see, Tetebatu village is a nice change of pace. The village is somehow similar to Ubud in neighboring Bali – being a great place to learn more about the Sasak culture (Lombok’s first inhabitants), witness some traditional handicraft techniques and buy some souvenirs. If you want to be even more in touch with nature, you can stay at Sama Sama eco bungalows, which we discovered by accident (check them out via this link to get 15€ off your next booking). They seemed very cozy, we had some great lunch there and they even took us to see Jeruk Manis waterfall, about 20-minute walk away from the camp. Just enough to stretch your legs and get wet, wet, wet!

Pusuk Monkey Forrest

Following the road along Mt Rinjani national park to the North East Lombok for about 40 km, you will find the so called Pusuk monkey forest. It is named, obviously, after numerous friendly monkeys that wait for the tourists along the road, hoping to get some food. Hop off your motorbike and feel free to give them some banana.  And don’t get scared if they start walking towards you – they just might shake your hand, which is truly a unique experience.

Capital Mataram, markets and shopping

The capital of Lombok and Nusa Tenggara Barat province is also the island’s biggest city with the population of around 420.000. Mataram is located in the Western area of Lombok, very close to Senggigi, so you will probably have the chance to visit the city and feel the touch of “urban” Lombok. But don’t expect from Mataram to be a typical capital with a city center, museums and other tourist shit. From churches and temples, you will be impressed by beautiful minarets of the Islamic Center Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Lombok (only Muslims can go inside though). Quite impressive is also Hindu temple Pura Meru – the largest temple in Mataram, built in 1720. Keep in mind that Mataram is 80% Muslims so if you do the “city tour” dress appropriately (especially women). If you want to buy stuff like clothes or souvenirs, visit Pasar Cakranegara market, while veggies will enjoy rich fruit & vegetable markets, which can be found on every corner. Those big fat mangos, coconuts and pineapples… oh my, Lombok, I am definitely coming back!

You can check my Lombok photos in my Facebook album. Are you thinking of visiting the island and have some more questions? Have you been there already? What were your favorite things to see in Lombok? Let me know in a comment below!

 

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