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LOMBOK Lombok has a reputation for amazing, woven textiles. Lombok is located to the east of Bali and is geographically the same size. Just as Bali welcomes a wide cross- section of tourists, Lombok, though not as well known, has a wide range of destinations guaranteed to suit the most discerning visitors. The island enjoys a tropical climate with warm and humid weather all year round with a temperature range of 21°C to 32°C. The wet season star ts from November through to May and the dry season star ts from May through to October. The ideal month to visit is May when the weather is per fect with glorious blue skies. The island has a population of about 2.5 million and the local 70 percent of inhabitants are called Sasaks who comprise the population. The remainder consists of other predominant ethnic groups such as Balinese, Chinese, Arabian, and Javanese. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language but English is widely spoken. Lombok has three distinct districts with three main cities. Mataram, the centre of commerce and the capital city, is in the west, Praya is in the centre and Selong is located to the east of the island. The majority of the population is Muslim with most worshipping in the mosques on Fridays, their holy day. 88 www.paradisesonline.com If you are planning on travelling around the island and visiting small villages, be respectful and considerate of the Islamic beliefs and wear slacks or knee length shor ts, a shirt with sleeves or a sarong. If you happen to visit during Ramadan, which is the Muslim month of fasting from sunrise to sunset avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public places during this month-long fast. Lombok has a reputation for amazing, woven textiles. Songkets and ikats can be used, amongst other things, as sarongs, wall hangings, or tablecloths. The design woven is unique to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations. There is a traditional handweaving village in Puyung in central Lombok where visitors can even try on a traditional Sasak costume. Lombok pottery has gained in popularity and is now shipped all over the world. There is a wide range to choose from and the pottery can be custom-made to your requirements. There are many other traditional handicraf ts that make per fect gifts or souvenirs including wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass and wooden boxes decorated with shells. Lombok is the island with something for everyone. Whether you have a few days or a few weeks, you can fill your days with something to do or somewhere to visit.