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Lombok Island Indonesia | Good to Know about Lombok
In the gentle rhythm of island life, where mornings begin with the scent of sea breeze and the shimmer of sunlight over Mount Rinjani, lies the essence of Lombok. Pure, unhurried, and profoundly beautiful.
I’m Anja, Co-Founder of The Lombok Lodge Hospitality®, a family-owned hotel collection created with my husband, Ben. For over fifteen years, together we’ve poured our hearts into crafting intimate, meaningful experiences that reflect the soul of this extraordinary island.
Unlike its celebrated neighbour Bali, Lombok remains wonderfully authentic. A place where time slows, traditions thrive, and every encounter feels genuine. It’s an island of golden beaches, graceful culture, and quiet luxury. A destination that invites you not just to visit, but to belong. Lombok has a thousand stories, and I’m delighted to share a few you may not yet know. Little secrets that make this island so special to those of us who call it home. Yet beyond its natural beauty and timeless traditions, it’s the people of Lombok who give the island its soul. The ‘Lombok Story’ of Ben and me is deeply woven with those who bring this place to life each day.
Picture: Roman, Ryhan, and El Rumi — the three lovely sons of Pak Hamdi, our devoted General Manager at The Lombok Lodge Hospitality. Their smiles remind me that hospitality, at its heart, is family. They reflect the spirit of Lombok itself — generous, genuine, and guided by the belief that hospitality is, above all, above all, means caring with sincerity and heart.
WHAT YOU FILL FIND:
• The Indigenous Sasak People of Lombok
• Lombok Geography
• Sasak in Lombok versus Hindu in Bali
• The Meaning of the Island’s Name
• Lombok’s Mouth-Watering Cuisine
• Lombok Etiquette and Manners
#1 The Indigenous Sasak People of Lombok
SPICY & PROUD
Geography and history define the Sasaks – the indigenous people of Lombok who make up 85% of Lombok’s 3 million people. Shaped by Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam, the Sasak religion and culture are an intriguing blend, unique in the Indonesian archipelago. Family’s income mainly comes from fishing, weaving or farming. But don’t imagine that Lombok’s Sasaks are all about fishing, weaving and farming: dance and drama are intricately woven into the Sasak identity. Their language, religion, architecture, dances and music are the marriages of sailors, conquerors, artists, political outcastes and religious missionaries who have given the Sasak people their unique, spicy flavour.
#2 Lombok Geography
THE WALLACE LINE
Lombok island is to the immediate east of the Lombok Strait which marks the biogeographical division between the fauna of the Indomalayan ecozone and the distinctly different fauna of Australasia; this distinction is known as the ‘Wallace Line’. The British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913) was the first person to comment on the division between the two regions, as well as on the abrupt boundary between the two biomes. The Wallace Line runs through the Lombok Strait between Bali and Lombok. The distance between Bali and Lombok is small, about 35 kilometres.
#3 Sasak in Lombok versus Hindu in Bali
While the Balinese Hindu people are soft-spoken, gentle and always up for a joke, their Sasak cousins are more reserved and conservative. Always be polite on Lombok, and smile first. A smile goes a long way. Lombok, and the Sasaks, are a multi-coloured mix of history, culture and religion. Pura Lingsar in West Lombok – this large temple compound is the holiest in Lombok – is the proof! It’s the world’s only Hindu temple where Sasak Muslims and Hindus come to worship together.
#4 The Meaning of the Island’s Name
The word Lombok is a word that comes from the local Sasak language. Translated into Indonesian it means ‘straight’. Lombok is also a lesser-used word for chilli in Bahasa Indonesia, which has led many people to believe the island is named for its spicy cuisine.
Lombok is famous for the 3 Gilis (Trawangan, Meno and Air) to the northwest of the island. But did you know the word Gili actually just means small island? Trawangan is the largest of the 3 ‘Gilis’ and is furthest from The Lombok Lodge, but still only around 20 minutes by boat.
#5 Lombok’s Mouth-Watering Cuisine
AYAM TALIWANG
To discover the true taste of Lombok culture, the best way is to eat and explore the mouth-watering local cuisine! Top of the list is Ayam Taliwang. This popular dish is a flavoursome spicy grilled chicken. Originally introduced by the people of Karang Taliwang Village, it has become a culinary icon of the island of Lombok. Ayam Taliwang is made of chicken which is preferably free-range. It is half-cooked on the grill, then removed and dipped in a marinade of cooking oil and spicy sauce made of garlic, chilli and s
hrimp paste. Once the marinade sets, it is then grilled again until perfection.
Ayam Taliwang – the most the iconic dish from Lombok – is usually served with Plecing (boiled spinach) or Sambal Beberuk. Every week Chef Jiwa creates a typical Sasak Dinner Menu with Ayam Taliwang as Main Course. Discover The Lombok Lodge Hospitality Sasak Menu >
#6 Lombok Etiquette and Manners
Like anywhere in Indonesia, always use your right hand to give or receive anything. Using your left hand is considered extremely rude throughout Asia, as people traditionally use it for personal hygiene after using the lavatory. Be mindful and make a conscious effort to use your right hand in all personal interactions. If a local resident invites you into their home during your stay in Lombok, remember to remove your shoes before entering. This shows respect and follows local customs. Be respectful in sacred places. Remove shoes and dress modestly when visiting temples and mosques
Indonesians take a lot of pride in keeping a cool head when things heat up. Showing anger or shouting is considered very rude and a poor showing of self-control, so even when a situation gets frustrating, just smile and go with the flow. Shaking hands, as in the West, is a sign of friendship and respect. After you have shaken hands, raise your hand and touch your heart to show your sincerity
Enjoy Lombok!
Anja Braeken
I’m Anja Braeken, Co-Founder and Owner of The Lombok Lodge Hospitality® together with my husband, Ben. With over 15 years of experience in luxury hospitality, I am passionate about creating meaningful and bespoke travel experiences across the breathtaking island of Lombok and the Gili Islands in Indonesia. My passion for Lombok comes from the island’s breathtaking beauty, its rich traditions, and the warmth of its people. It inspires me every day to share this special place with others by creating meaningful and memorable experiences that allow guests to truly feel the spirit of Lombok and the Gili Islands.
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