A taste of Lombok, Indonesia

25th March 2026.  Blog Post 17

Scenic overview from a rice paddy at Mambalan Village, Lombok.

Indonesia contrasts starkly with Australia across almost all dimensions: religion, built environment, languages, geography, economy. Australia embodies western culture. Indonesia’s social and cultural norms are utterly different. Approximately 17 500 islands, 922 permanently inhabited, close to 300 million people – 4th most globally, hundreds of ethnic groups and local languages, multiple religions all in one Nation state. Even our narrow experience on Lombok Island for one day and Bali for five, reflected Indonesia’s tremendous diversity.

Lombok quieter, less “touristy”, mainly Muslim, with “integrated in” animist practices including offerings made at sacred natural sites, multiple mosques. Bali frenetic, traffic jammed, predominantly Balinese Hindu, ubiquitous Temples, small beautifully arranged offerings to the gods everywhere.

In Lombok Raymond walked through Mambalan farming village with guide explaining its cultural heritage and community traditions. Beautiful children. Japanese and Chinese cows (primitive tractors!) have replaced water buffaloes to plough – but still predominantly manual labor with local people working the multiple rice paddies. Rambutan trees with its lychee like fruit, jackfruit trees with largest tree-borne fruit globally. Motor bikes everywhere – not only on the roads! Sometimes six on the bike: One child in front, father drives, two children in middle and pregnant wife at back. Our guide explained that you must have drivers’ license, helmet, obey speed limit, maximum two on bike.  But only compulsory if you are caught! 

Sheryl visited a water palace, street markets, rice paddies, watched artisans carve wooden items and weave fabric.

The story goes that a tourist to Lombok was asked whether they have been to Indonesia before? The answer: “No, but I have been to Bali 12 times!”.

Bali, one of Indonesia’s 38 provinces, feels sharply different. Next, a 5-day immersion into Balinese life on an overland adventure.

Photograph taken from a moving bus. Note the baby being held by the woman passenger.
One of the many mosques in Lombok. Known as the “Island of a Thousand Mosques”, estimated at over 8 000 on the Island.
Man climbing a coconut tree. Incredibly quickly he was at the top, with branches and coconuts soon crashing to the ground.
Some of the beautiful children we passed at Mambalan village. Note the man on motor bike on the path at the back.
Local cafe we passed while walking in Mambalan Village.

Planting in rice paddies. Japanese or Chinese “cow” ploughs at upper left-hand side.