Journal
Stories from the shore
Guides, surf notes and slow-travel writing from Selong Belanak and South Lombok.
October 13, 2026
A Lombok Villa with a Private Chef: Planning Your Meals
Planning a South Lombok villa holiday? Compare chef dinners, cooking and meals out, with practical questions on costs, children's meals and group dining.
Read the guide →October 6, 2026
Lombok with Grandparents: Choosing Your Villa
Plan a South Lombok holiday with grandparents: compare bedrooms, stairs and beach access, then choose a villa that fits three generations.
Read the guide →September 27, 2026
Christmas and New Year in Lombok: What the Festive Fortnight Is Really Like
An honest guide to spending Christmas and New Year on Lombok's south coast: the weather, the crowds, what is open, what it costs, and when you need to book.
Read the guide →September 10, 2026
Where to Stay in South Lombok: Kuta, Selong Belanak or the Quiet Bays
An honest comparison of the three places most people end up sleeping on Lombok's south coast — what each is good for, what nobody tells you, and how to choose.
Read the guide →August 18, 2026
Surf Villas in Lombok: Ride Waves, Sleep in Style
What actually makes a good surf villa in South Lombok: how close the waves really are, which breaks suit which level, and what to ask before you book.
Read the guide →August 18, 2026
Where to Escape the Summer Heat: Why August Is Lombok's Coolest Month
European summers now pass 40C with regularity. An honest look at where to go instead, and why August is the coolest, driest month of the year in Lombok.
Read the guide →August 11, 2026
Family Villa in Lombok: Space, Privacy & Memories
How to choose a family villa in South Lombok: what to check before you book, how the beaches suit children, and what a villa gives a family that a hotel cannot.
Read the guide →August 6, 2026
Bau Nyale in Lombok: The Complete Guide, and the 2027 Dates
Everything about Lombok's Bau Nyale sea worm festival — the Princess Mandalika legend, what the nyale really are, how the date is set each year, Peresean, Gendang Beleq, and how to actually attend.
Read the guide →August 4, 2026
The Best Beaches in South Lombok: An Honest Guide
Which South Lombok beaches are worth your day and which are not — tides, parking, warungs, crowds and timing for Selong Belanak, Mawun, Mawi, Tampah and more.
Read the guide →July 28, 2026
Why Indonesia Beats Bali for a Luxury Escape
Bali made Indonesia famous, then filled up. Where to find the space, quiet and service a luxury escape actually needs — and why Lombok answers it best.
Read the guide →July 21, 2026
Private Villa vs. Resort in Lombok: What Wins?
An honest comparison of private villas and resorts in Lombok: space, cost, food, service and setting, and which one actually suits the way your group travels.
Read the guide →July 17, 2026
Selong Belanak: The Complete Traveller's Guide
A complete guide to Selong Belanak beach in South Lombok: the bay, the surf, when to visit, where to eat, and how to reach one of the island's calmest coasts.
Read the guide →July 15, 2026
How to Book Villa Serangan & Selong Belanak
How to book Villa Serangan or Villa Selong Belanak in South Lombok: choosing between the two houses, what is included, and booking direct for the best rate.
Read the guide →July 5, 2026
The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Villas in Lombok
What actually makes a villa 'luxury' in South Lombok, how to choose one, and what to expect from a private, family-run villa stay near Selong Belanak.
Read the guide →