Mataram
Garden City
General Information
Other Name: -, District: West Nusa Tenggara , State: Nusa Tenggara , Indonesia
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Officially English
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: May to October and -
International Access: -Description
Mataram, city in central Indonesia, on the western coast of the island of Lombok, in the center of the Malay Archipelago. A part of West Nusatengarra province, Mataram is the capital and main city of Lombok. It includes the port town of Ampenan, the towns of Mataram and Cakranegara, and the settlement of Sweta. Cakranegara is Matarams commercial center, while Ampenan is the site of Mataram University. As a center of government administration, Mataram has many large, impressive public buildings and substantial houses. The city also has transportation and shopping facilities. The main square is used for art exhibitions, theater, dance, and wayang kulit performances. In other parts of Mataram, there are a variety of old-style markets and neighborhoods featuring traditional craftwork like basketware and gold and silver threaded sarongs, or wraparound garments. The port of Ampenan was once Lomboks main port, but it now relies mostly on fishing vessels and exports of cattle to Java. Cakranegara has significant Balinese and Chinese populations, the Chinese having been brought by the Dutch to provide cheap labor.Location
-Climate
Wet And Dry
Batu Bolong means Hollow Rock in English; this is another pretty tourist spot that you can make a stop to wonder a bit before you head for Senggigi beach or crossing the Lombok strait on the boat for the Gili Islands. Batu Bolong is actually a sacred Hindu temple, but it is open for visitors.The view from Batu Bolong is fantastic especially when you want to see the beautiful sunset. When we went there, we were informed by our tour guide that Batu Bolong is famous for its impressive temple built on a black outcrop of lava rock.At Batu Bolong, there are stairs to go down to the Senggigi beach.
In West Lombok (Lombok is an island very close to Bali, Indonesia), located at Cakranegara, there is a historical park called Mayura. This historical place consist 2 major things to see and explore; the Mayura Garden and Water Palace. Some people would call this park as Mayura the Floating Temple, Mayura the Water Palace, Taman Mayura (Mayura Park), or Taman Mayura Palace (Mayura Palace Garden).
visit to the Museum of Mataram (Jalan Panji Tilarnegara) is essential for anyone interested in the history of Lombok, and particularly in the history of its people. In addition to various documents and written material the exhibits include numerous tools and implements, utensils, weapons and local craft products. The structure of the traditional Sasak houses is illustrated by lovingly constructed models. Most of the items have labels in Indonesian and English.
The Meru Temple was built in 1720 by the Balinese Prince Karang. In the innermost precinct of the extensive complex are several merus dedicated to the Hindu trinity of Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
Narmada Park is not just a regular water park, this magnificent and beautiful water park is very old and was part of the Royal King of Lombok’ garden in old days.This park is fairly big and requires a little climbing now and then when you really explore the whole park.At Narmada Park there is also a known Hindu temple called Pura Kalasa (Pura means temple in Indonesian). Before you go down to the lake area, there is an old house of King’s place to rest when he was there; the wall paintings and carvings at this place are interesting and some are very nice. We were informed, in those days when the King was there, he would look down to the lake where girls were swimming and he would point one to be his mistress later on.If you keep walking down from the lake area, you will find what today is a swimming pool, and further down again is another big lake with great scenery of tall coconut trees. Once a year, there is always a ceremony held at the lake.
At this art market Sayang-Sayang, it seems like the whole villagers are making arts and crafts as daily job for daily living cost. Each art store or gallery is very nearby one to another; only steps away! Most of the arts and crafts they made and sell are almost similar one to another, yet the give different prices for the similar crafts.Souvenirs made from rattan, wood, and brass can be seen here and there. Some statue crafts are even made from cow’s bones .There are many kinds of souvenirs available here at the art market. From traditional tissue box’ cover, musical instruments, jewelry box, masks, statues, cigarettes box, and even toys similar to African Mancala, you can find here at Sayang-Sayang art market. All of these souvenirs are beautifully handmade and colored.