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Whether you are into mountain-climbing, jungle-trekking, diving, surfing or simply chilling out, Lombok has it all, writes Shuib Taib

OUR AirAsia flight is touching down at Bandara Udara Internasional Lombok, the airport in the tropical island of Indonesia. The bright emerald sea sparkles below me like diamonds. Lombok already looks promising.

This island on the west of Bali is not exactly unknown to Malaysians. We have heard of many stories of Lombok men “kidnapping” our girls and marrying them. Such stories make up the Lombok legend. I’m guilty of not knowing much else about the island.

Although Lombok is not as well-known as its over-developed sister Bali, there is a certain charm about this tiny island. As the coach takes us along its meandering, small coastal road and undulating hilly areas, Lombok flaunts its breathtaking windy countryside. Swaying coconut trees, grazing buffaloes and farmers clad in their straw hats are spotted every direction you turn.

“This is what Bali used to be 20 years ago,” says our tour guide. Yet, despite its seemingly untouched and laidback nature, there are many luxury hotels dotting the coastal roads, especially around Senggigi and the scenic Malimbu, which makes for interesting juxtaposition.

When the coach drives past small villages, we come right smack into the middle of a colourful wedding procession in the street, much like a typical scene in rural Bali during certain holidays. Given the size of the entourage in traditional gear and the big marching bands in uniform, it is clear that participation by the village community is immense.

No wonder Lombok and Bali are often referred to as sister islands. However, there are subtle differences between the two,We have high quality replica tag heuer watches, you can not miss the best Tag Heuer Replica Watches online. as we are about to discover.

Nearly 90 per cent of Lombok inhabitants are Sasak whose origins are believed to be in Java. This includes a small percentage with a Balinese bloodline. The rest are Tionghua-Peranakan,It's certainly no secret that I have a tendency to totally stay away from the replica handbags. Javanese, Sumbawanese and Arab-Indonesians.

A visit to Sasak Traditional Village should be in your Lombok itinerary for here is where you can not only experience how locals live, but also get first-hand accounts of the famous Lombok legend. Much like a complex of sorts, the traditional houses in the village are built close to one another with little pathways separating them. At certain strategic spots, you will find Sasak women weaving or selling textiles, shawls, pashmina and accessories on makeshift counters. About 500 families live in this closed area.

The Sasak are culturally and linguistically related to the Balinese but unlike the Hindu Balinese, the majority here are Muslim.

According to the village chief,Shop this season's new christian louboutin sandals now. Islamic traditions and holidays influence the island’s daily activities. People still live in their typical houses and maintain their traditional lifestyle.

Their main livelihood is farming but everywhere I turn,Take a look at these imitation wrist watches for sale online, which are one of the best cheap replica watches in USA. I see a woman weaving. Indeed, some of these houses have been turned into a “shop” for the women to display their neat handicraft.

Today is a hot day, yet when we step into one of the rustic-looking homes, the temperature is surprisingly cool. “As you can see, our houses are very traditional. Every house has a kitchen, living room and sleeping room. We use organic materials to build our houses. The roof, for instance, is made of alang alang (a kind of leaf), the walls are from bamboo while the floor and bricks are a combination of clay and cow dung,” says the chief.

Surprisingly, there isn’t even a whiff of odour emanating from the floor.

Now that I have the opportunity, I decide to ask the village chief about the famous Lombok legend.

Is it true that kidnapping is part and parcel of pre-marital life in Lombok?

“Yes it is. That is why in our culture, the men must sleep outside on the small balcony to protect their daughters from being kidnapped,We offer Cheap Michael Kors Handbags Outlet Sale with top quality and discount price.” he explains, adding that once a girl has been kidnapped, her parents would be informed by their village chief or anyone who happens to have witnessed the kidnapping.

The girl’s parents would then wait for the man’s parents and his entourage to come and ask for the daughter’s hand in marriage. The waiting could run into weeks.

Why is there the need to kidnap someone’s daughter when the man could ask for her hand in marriage by asking his family to meet with the girl’s parents in a more respectful manner?

“You see, a daughter is considered very special that if there is more than one man interested in marrying her, then the one who successfully kidnaps her will most likely end up as her husband,” he explains.

Whoa! In other words, the act of “meminang” (the tradition of asking a girl’s hand in marriage) is not practised at all?

“No, it is not. To us, asking would be too easy. If you want her, you have to prove it!” he says, adding that he had to kidnap his current wife and put her up at his parents’ house for a month before his parents approached his wife’s parents for permission to marry.

Has there ever been a case where the girl “knew” she would be kidnapped by a certain someone on a certain night? A case in which the kidnapper and the kidnapped conspired?
“Yes, plenty,” he says with a smile.

This is the royal family water garden. Built in 1727 by one of its former rulers, Raja Mataram Lombok, Anak Agung Ngurah Karang Asem, it is an old palace laden with pools, park, temples and rich historical anecdotes.

Fit for a king, the park which is located 10km from Nusa Tenggara’s capital Mataram, got its name from a river in India called Narmada.

In the olden days, the king would come to this park during the dry season to relax. Aside from a Hindu temple, it has two huge swimming pools fed by a forest spring.

Narmada was also often used for the pekelem ceremony — a sacrificial ritual performed by throwing small accessories for the gods to take care of the mountain. The ritual was usually carried out at Mount Rinjani but legend has it that when the king grew older, he ordered that a miniature replica of Mount Rinjani be constructed at Narmada as he was too old to climb.

If you walk around the park, you will see a smaller version of Mount Rinjani within the surrounding. On top of the park lies a pura or temple. To get to the temple, one needs to climb hundreds of steps which were purposely built to give the illusion that you are climbing up a mountain. It is an uphill task but once you are up there, the shady trees, swimming pool and fresh air will enchant you.

A look at some old pictures at its museum tells us that some of its former rulers kept more than one wife. In one picture, two women pose topless!

The place may look a little rundown but every weekend, I am told that it is packed with locals who go there to swim and picnic.

Also situated within the park is a small house called Balai Petirtaan. There is a fountain inside this house which according to legend, gives long life to those who drink the water. It is also believed to make you appear youthful. For those who want to drink, a small donation is welcomed and a ritual is performed by a “religious” man who chants some archaic words.

Some decide to give it a try. I prefer to stick to my weekly volleyball regime and my SK-II!

My favourite spot is the palace balcony. According to our trusted guide, in the olden days the king would sit there and watch his maids and concubines bathing and having fun in the two big pools.