Kuta beach of Lombok island - Indonesia

Less than 5km (10 minutes journey) from Ashtari Restaurant and Lounge, we visited the nearby beach - Kuta beach (S8.89492 E116.28319) of south Lombok island (there's another Kuta beach in Bali which is different).
According to Pak Uji, meaning 'Kuta' is gateway at the south, therefore there's another gateway in Bali too.

But we arrived at Kuta beach in poor timing, it was cloudy and low tide...

Kuta beach of Lombok

Despite the weather, all of us just simply shoot surrounding to satisfied our cameras...:)

The beach is full of volcano rocks, and the major different from the others beaches we visited was the sands...it's not actually 'sands', there were formation of round tiny stones! This was really special!

Along the Kuta bay, the area is full of hotels and resorts, there's also many activities area like cafe, restaurant and shops. I believe the night activities hear must be happening too, but I'm yet to experience it.

Beside taking photos of the beach, one of our tour mate - Noelle who was enjoying playing with the children around and taking nice photos.

Noelle having fun with the kids around

Noticed there were children and women walking along the beach selling souvenirs and hand weaved cloths...I didn't ask for the price...

Women and kid selling hand weaved cloth and souvenirs...

Before we leave the beach, I found this nature beauty standing alone on the volcano rock...it's the only outstanding rock along the beach...

There was nothing much, we left the beach after 30 minutes and continue our journey to the next destination...

Related post for Lombok island trip :-
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Location map of Kuta beach in Lombok island, Indonesia.

Ashtari Restaurant and Lounge at South Lombok Island, Indonesia

After our 'suntan session' from the 2 beaches - Selong Belanak and Mawun beach, we were starving for food...traveling about 7km of winding road from the beach, we finally reached Ashtari Restaurant and Lounge (S8.88255 E116.26417).

Entrance of Ashtari Restaurant in Lombok

While I walked into the restaurant area, noticed one tiny signage nailed on the tree...took a closer look, it stated "Yoga Platform". Oh my goodness! Great! The Yoga activities within the nature! But I didn't manage to take a shot on the platform because it was not ready yet...

The signage to the Yoga platform, Ashtari Lombok

The restaurant is situated on a small hill, everyone of us enjoying the walk from the entrance up to the restaurant...

Ashtari restaurant

The first stunning view attracted all of us was the balcony which overlooking the Kuta town and the beach. It was a spectacular view!

The spectacular view from Ashtari Restaurant overlooking the Kuta town and beach

Let me show you around the restaurant...
By walking into the main dining area, the place is full of bean bags...new concept of a restaurant.

Main dining area...

Beside the bean bags area in the center of the restaurant, there are others different design of dining tables and chairs surrounded...

With the sitting areas above, I believe the balcony is the popular area. And yes! We chose the balcony too!

The balcony dining area of Ashtari Restaurant

The balcony area has the perfect panoramic view of the beautiful surrounding.

The friendly owner is Mr Priss, who born in Paris.

Mr Priss - the owner of the restaurant

Mr Priss was an architect and a designer who had few hobbies in cooking and music. He was a director of a restaurant and club in Paris, and also owner of a restaurants in France. Before he came to Indonesia, he did the architecture and design for the Arabian Palace in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Mr Priss and his wife suddenly think of change their life style and decided to started a restaurant in Bali called La Plage in Legian area, the restaurant continued to operated for 5 years. Beside the restaurant in Bali, he also managed to designed and constructed 5 villas in Bali island of Indonesia. Now, Mr Priss became one of the partners of Ashtari Restaurant and he been running it now for a year.

Before our food serve on table, everyone was busy taking photo around the restaurant...some just mesmerized by the breathtaking scenery of Ashrati Restaurant...her name is Karen.

Mesmerized by the sunning view around - Karen

At first, we had some starter...

The starter before the main course...

Then followed by the main courses...
Most of us decided to try out their local dishes, so I had the seafood Nasi Goreng Kampung and other tour mates ordered the local seafood mee goreng, some tasted the beef burger...

Seafood nasi goreng kampung

Seafood mee goreng

Beef burger with side dish

Beside the main courses above, it's strongly recommended you ordered the extra local sambal (chili) for those who can take spicy chili, it was hot and marvelous! We all like it very much!

The recommended local sambal which went well with most of the dishes

The foods were really surprised us with the local and original taste! Provided with the different recipe which we had it in our country, and the portion was big enough to satisfied our hunger, delicious!

Dessert came after our meals, I tried the pancakes with Nutella and banana...oh man! Nice and not overly sweet.

The pancakes with Nutella and banana

The restaurant is also a perfect chilled out place for a ice cold beer while watching the sunset...

After we finished our wonderful meals, everyone was relax on the bean bags and enjoyed their drinks...

Because of our schedule, we cannot laying on the bean bags for too long...too bad...
We started our journey to the next destination...

* Strongly recommended restaurant, must visit at least once if you are travel to Lombok island.

Related post for Lombok island trip :-
*  Airasia media FAM trip to Lombok Island - Indonesia on July 2014

Ashtari Restaurant and Lounge

Address : Ashtari Estate, Jalan Raya ke Mawun Prabu, Pujut, Lombok, Indonesia.

Contact:+62-877-6549-7625

Email : contact@ashtarilombok.com / jeanmarc@ashtarilombok.com

Website : http://www.ashtarilombok.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AshtariLombok

Location map of Ashtari Restaurant and Lounge at Lombok Island

Discovered another beautiful beach at south Lombok island - Mawun beach.

Mawun beach (S8.90072 E116.22682) is located approximately 10km from Selong Belanak beach and the journey was only took 20 minutes from the previous location. The sandy white beach stretch about 1.5km, the sands are very fine and soft...it took around 15-20 minutes to stroll from point to point. The emerald lagoon is protected by two rocky headlands, and made the calm and peaceful water of the beach.

Mawun beach and our tour mates

The beach was not crowded at all, it was so relax while laying on the beach. The crystal clear water really made us want to jump into the sea immediately! Too bad we didn't prepare for the swim, it was a miss!

I found the right view of the beach look better maybe just because of the company of the rocky mountain...

The right view of Mawun beach

There were group of women selling souvenirs over there, but they were friendly and not really hard sell type...

There is no resort or hotel in the vicinity, the closer resorts you can get are from Kuta beach, Lombok.
Due to everyone was hungry, we left the beach after laying around for 20 minutes...and heading to the restaurant in our itinerary...

Cynthia and Hui Ying (Lombok tour mates)

Next destination will be our first meal in Lombok - Ashtari restaurant and longe...

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Location map of Mawun beach of south Lombok island, Indonesia.

Unexplored Selong Belanak beach at Sempiak Villa, Lombok island - Indonesia

From the Lombok International Airport to Selong Belanak beach (S8.87085 E116.16253) is approximately 25km, and the journey take around 30 - 45 minutes depends on the road condition.

The ride was similar with the previous, and pass through paddies fields, winding roads, villages and tobacco farms. At certain area, the road was bumpy and steep...
Less than 20 minutes from the previous photo taking spot, our van reached Sempiak Villa entrance, as Pak Uji said, we have to go through this villa to the beach. Sempiak Villa is the only star rated resort at the South of Lombok, according to him.

The entrance is free, but we had to paid the parking fee to the resort, Rp.3000 if I'm not mistaken. Everyone was excitedly got down from the van and walked towards the beach...

The Airasia FAM Media team

Due to limited time, I didn't take any photo of the Villa...too bad because it was a beautiful resort...

The beach is just about 50 meter away from the Villa, and I was shocked by the unspoilt, amazing white sandy beach appeared in front of us!

Selong Belanak beach of Lombok island

The area is still relatively untouched by tourists, it's also consider a 'hidden gem' of Lombok. Selong belanak is a beautiful bay with white sandy beach enveloped by a lush green surrounded hills. The water is crystal clear and the whole area was clean and quiet.
Even the beach is gaining popularity day-by-day, but its still well maintain and I remember no rubbish around...

The merciless sun on that day was killing, some of us were hiding under the trees...but some were running around the beach...

Selong Belanak beach is also a perfect place for practice surfing in Lombok. Due to the geography location and the sloping beach, the wave is not too strong and perfect for new learner.

It was a relax and fun watched those surfers paddle out into the bay...

The boy in action!

We took about 30 minutes around the beach, some of us running around to captured their best photo of the beach and some were sitting under the cooling area admiring the beautiful beach.

We left the Selong Belanak beach and the journey continue to the next beautiful - Mawun beach.

The small dried forest along our journey...

I will be back to the beach and hopefully the Villa will be available for my next visit.

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Location map of Selong Belanak beach at the south of Lombok island - Indonesia.

Photo taking point 1 before Selong Belanak beach, Lombok Island

Since the Lombok International Airport is located almost the south of Lombok island, we started our journey to the attractions at the south island before check-in to the resort which is at the north west of the island.

Our first destination was Selong Belanak beach, that will be approximately 22KM travel from the airport. Along the way, with the winding roads, villages, and we passed by this tobacco farm (S8.81711 E116.21746). According to Pak Uji, Lombok island is the biggest tobacco supply to the whole Indonesia market.

Tobacco farm of Lombok island

Before we reach the beach, suddenly everyone in the car surprised with the stunning view ahead of us! The driver (Pak Zaki) was very kind, and he stopped at one of the photo taking point (S8.85585 E116.17915) (small hill) to let us satisfied with our cameras...

Everyone out from the vehicle without hesitation! It was a very nice spot where surrounded by the beautiful scenery. The place was close to the beach, which about less than 3km from Selong Belanak beach.

Selong Belanak from far view

The first scene which attracted me was the 'blue' colour of the sea, accompany with the total blue sky separated by the horizon. The total scenery painted a beautiful picture just in front of us! Amazing!

The scenery behind us...

Don't miss out the scenery behind the small hill where we stand, by looking at the mountains and blue sky, we felt the dryness of the island. Can you feel it too?

30 minutes later, everyone satisfied with their photos, our tour continued...
Initially I thought the place was quite deserted until we saw others visitors keep coming in...it should be a hot spot area!

Another group of visitor riding on the bike to the small hill...

We continued the journey for another 3.2km to the beach....

Related post for Lombok island trip :-
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