INTRODUCTION 
The islands of Bali and Lombok are part of the Indonesian archipelago, a 5200-kilometre-long string of over thirteen thousand islands, stretching between Malaysia in the west and Australia in the east. Sandy beaches punctuate the dramatically rugged coastlines and world-class surf pounds both shorelines. 
Located just east of the island of Java, Bali has long been the primary focus of Indonesia’s tourist industry; its eastern neighbour, Lombok, has also recently grown in popularity. Both islands are small (Bali extends less than 150km at its longest point, Lombok a mere 80km), volcanic and graced with swathes of extremely fertile land, much of it – particularly on Bali – sculpted into terraced rice-paddies. Culturally, however, Bali and Lombok could hardly be more different. Bali remains the only Hindu society in Southeast Asia, and exuberant religious observance permeates every aspect of contemporary Balinese life; the Sasak people of Lombok, on the other hand, are Muslim, like the vast majority of other Indonesians. 
The tiny island of Bali (population three million) draws in more than one and a half million foreign visitors every year, plus around a million domestic tourists. As a result, it has become very much a mainstream destination, offering all the comforts and facilities expected by better-off tourists, and suffering the predictable problems of congestion, commercialization and breakneck Westernization. However, its original charm is still very much in evidence, its stunning temples and spectacular festivals set off by the gorgeously lush landscape of the interior. Meanwhile, Lombok (population 2.3 million) plays host to only 250,000 foreign visitors annually (and about the same number of domestic tourists), and boasts only a handful of burgeoning tourist resorts, retaining its reputation as a more adventurous destination than its neighbour. While there are established resorts on the coast and in the hill villages, Lombok still has extensive areas that have yet to be fully explored by visitors. 
Until the nineteenth century, both Bali and Lombok were divided into small kingdoms, each domain ruled by a succession of rajas whose territories fluctuated so much that, at times, parts of eastern Bali and western Lombok were joined under a single ruler. More recently, both islands endured years of colonial rule under the Dutch East Indies government, which only ended with hard-won independence for Indonesia in 1949. Since then, the Jakarta-based government of Indonesia has tried hard to foster a sense of national identity among its extraordinarily diverse islands, both by implementing a unifying five-point political philosophy, the Pancasila, and through the mandatory introduction of Bahasa Indonesia, now the lingua franca for the whole archipelago. Politically, Bali is administered as a province in its own right, while Lombok is the most westerly island of Nusa Tenggara province, which stretches east as far as Timor.

The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok (Rough Guides)

Travel

Ridout, Lucy

Reader, Lesley

Asia

Rough Guides

The Rough Guide to Bangkok is a discerning and authoritative all-rounder, featuring lucid, in-depth coverage of the sights and activities; discriminating reviews of the best places to stay and eat and comprehensive easy-to-read maps. This new edition has been expanded from mini format to the larger B-format and includes a 16-page full-colour introduction, picking out the highlights of the city, with over 30 arresting photos. The coverage takes in all the latest developments in this fast-paced city, including details of the new Bangkok subway, the new public art gallery, the ''Queen''s Gallery'' and Kukrit Pramoj''s recently opened traditional house and garden.

The Rough Guide to Bangkok 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Gray, Paul

The Rough Guide to Bali &amp; Lombok is the definitive guide to these two spectacular Indonesian islands. A 24-page, full-colour introduction gives an inspiring insight into many of the islands’ highlights, from the dramatic clifftop temples and sparkling white-sand beaches to the unforgettable sunrise views from Gunung Batur. The guide includes extensive reviews of the islands’ finest places to eat, sleep and drink for visitors on any budget. Whether you are an active traveller looking for advice on the best diving spots or looking for a something more relaxed like a spa or a cookery course, this guide offers all the dependable and practical advice you will need to know. The guide also takes a detailed look at Bali and Lombok’s history, religion and culture, and comes complete with maps and plans for every region.

The Rough Guide to Bali & Lombok 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

The Rough Guide to Thailand is the most accessible handbook to this beautiful and intriguing country. From Bangkok''s vibrant night markets to stunning island beaches, the 24-page, full-colour introduction pinpoints all of the country''s highlights. This new edition also features four brand-new, full-colour inserts: Thai Food, Loy Krathong Festival of Light, Thai Temples and Thai Films. There are details of all the best places to stay, eat and drink, to suit every budget, plus a new ''Authors'' Picks'' feature to highlight the very best options. There is plenty of expert advice on a range of activities, from trekking and scuba-diving to cookery courses and spa treatments. The guide also takes a detailed look at Thailand''s history, culture, religion and wildlife and comes complete with easy-to-read maps for every region.

The Rough Guide to Thailand 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

The Rough Guide to Thailand''s Beaches and Islands is the ultimate guideto these glorious destinations. From the enchanting and little-knownislands of Ban Krud and Suan Luang to the hip beach resort of PakNam Pran. A full-colour 24-page section introduces the highlights, withstunning photography of the best the islands have to offer. This new edition includes two brand-new full-colour inserts: ''Southern Thai Food'' and ''Sea Kayaking''. The authorsprovide expert recommendations on all the top places to visit, from the best party beaches andluxury resorts to remote national park islands and bases for diving,snorkelling and kayaking. The guide includes full coverage ofBangkok, the main point of arrival, a sophisticated metropolis andgateway to the coasts. There are detailed maps for every region andinformed advice on activities - from Thai cookery and boxing to scuba-diving and white-water rafting.

The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

ROUGH GUIDES

"The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches &amp; Islands" is the perfect companion for island-hopping through Thailand's spectacular coastal regions. Whether you wish to kayak through the limestone karsts of Ao Phang Nga, explore the dive sites around Ko Tao, party on Phuket or relax on one of Ko Samui's idyllic beaches, this guide will lead you straight to the region's best attractions. The guide features a colour section on Thailand Underwater, including the best of the country's amazing diving and snorkelling sites, as well as detailed coverage of Bangkok, Thailand's fascinating capital. You'll find up-to-date reviews on all the hottest places to stay from mid-range hotels to eco-minded accomodation including local Thai homestays, as well as plentiful recommendations of Thailands best nightlife, shopping, Thai restaurants and local cuisine for all budgets. Explore all corners of Thailand's Beaches &amp; Islands with authoritative background on everything from Thailand's contemporary art scene and hot environmental issues to the latest films, pop music, and political developments relying on comprehensive maps and practical language tips. Make the most of your holiday with "The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches &amp; Islands".

The Rough Guide to Thailand's Beaches & Islands (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

The Rough Guide to Thailand

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The Rough Guide to Bangkok

Written by seasoned travelers familiar with the regions they cover, thorough guides for the first-time traveler include country profiles; color photos and maps; major attractions, cultural activities and festivals; health and survival tips; a special section on work, volunteer and learning vacations; traveler anecdotes; and much more.

The Rough Guide First-Time Asia 5

Thailand: The Rough Guide, First Edition

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