Latest news with #Lombok
SBS Australia
4 days ago
- Health
- SBS Australia
'High degree of caution': Australia issues new warning for travellers to Bali
Australians are being warned about the risks associated with travelling to Indonesia, particularly Bali, after a number of incidents. In an update on Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website urged travellers to "exercise a high degree of caution" while holidaying at the popular destination. The advice highlighted that Australians had drowned at unpatrolled beaches "due to rough seas and strong rip currents". It also cautioned against leaving food and drinks unattended due to a rise in drink spiking and methanol poisoning, with several cases reported in Bali and nearby Lombok. The travel advice came only two days after a 23-year-old Sunshine Coast man, Byron Haddow, died while holidaying in Bali. The cause of his death is unknown. The Smartraveller site also issued a reminder about saltwater crocodiles, which are present in Indonesian rivers and lakes. It urged Australians travelling to Indonesia to respect local customs, publishing a list of dos and don'ts. It included checking visa and passport requirements to ensure entry, with travellers reportedly denied due to tears or water damage to their passports. More than one million Australians visit Bali each year.
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
‘Exercise caution': Major warning issued to Aussies travelling to Bali after drownings, methanol poisoning incidents
Aussie tourists planning to jet away to a favourite holiday getaway destination have been urged to 'exercise a high degree of caution' after a number of high-profile incidents. An update from the federal government's Smartraveller website advises tourists to practice caution when visiting Indonesia, especially Bali. It follows a review of the latest travel advice by the government-run site last week. 'Australians have drowned in coastal areas, due to rough seas and strong rip currents at popular tourist beaches including in Bali. Many beaches are unpatrolled,' the update reads. The update also warns travellers on drinks that 'may be spiked or mixed with toxic substances'. 'Be alert to the potential risks around drink spiking and methanol poisoning through consuming alcoholic drinks,' it read. 'Cases of methanol poisoning in drinks have previously been reported in Indonesia, including in Bali and Lombok'. This comes days after a 23-year-old's 'suspicious' death while on holiday in Bali was reported. Last year, two teens also died from methanol poisoning in Laos, in an incident that shocked the nation and highlighted recent cases in South-East Asia. The website has also advised foreign tourists to read the Bali Provincial Government's 'Do's and Don'ts' advice before travelling, as well as understanding visa conditions and entry and exit requirements. 'Indonesian authorities have strict standards for damaged passports, and travellers have been refused entry into Indonesia with a damaged passport,' it said. 'Water damage, minor tears or rips to the pages can be considered damaged'. They also cautions against disrespect of local law and culture. 'Offensive behaviour that fails to respect local culture, religion, places of worship, and traditional ceremonies can lead to criminal penalties and/or deportation.'
Hospitality Net
7 days ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Hyatt Announces Plans For Samara Lombok, The First Destination By Hyatt Hotel In Southeast Asia
Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with PT Lombok Torok Developments for Samara Lombok, debuting the Destination by Hyatt brand in Southeast Asia. The integrated development in south Lombok will join Hyatt's portfolio of 15 properties in Indonesia, across 7 brands including Alila, Andaz, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt Regency and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. Lombok is known for its untouched beaches and prime surf breaks that are amongst the best in Indonesia. It is also home to Mount Rinjani, the second highest volcano in the country, and a popular trekking destination. Accessible by air and sea, Samara Lombok is only 25 minutes away from Lombok International Airport. Totaling more than 300 acres (125 hectares) on the pristine island, the integrated development of Samara Lombok will encompass two sites, Samara Bay and Samara Hills. Guests can look forward to a comprehensive wellness village, multiple swimming pools, and over 10 restaurants and bar venues offering a diverse range of culinary concepts developed in collaboration with some of the region's most respected chefs. There will be purpose-built sports facilities, including four tennis courts and four padel courts, a marine and water sports center, an educational marine biology center, an organic farm and sustainability hub, a dedicated kids' zone, and a collection of beach clubs and day clubs designed for guests to relax and connect. The hotel will offer 249 guest rooms and villas located throughout the development. The architecture and interior design will be by several award-winning architects based in Bali, drawing inspiration from the lush paddy fields that surround the development. Construction is currently underway and Samara Lombok is planned to open in 2027. To learn more about Destination by Hyatt hotels, please visit the official brand website: The term "Hyatt" is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. Hotel website
The Sun
16-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
I swapped UK for stunning paradise island where villa is £40 a week and petrol costs £2.50 – you could do it too
EVERY single weekend after a morning dip in the sea, Sarah Burghard enjoys her breakfast at a local restaurant before heading to get her nails done. Following a relaxing beachside lunch, she'll have a massage or a facial because this is what her life now looks like after she decided to move to a tiny idyllic island on the other side of the world. 8 8 8 8 But regular lavish sun-drenched days like this never break the bank because Sarah, 57, originally from Bristol, has lived in Lombok, Indonesia since last October. The cost of living is astonishingly low on the island, located off the coast of Bali. A tank of petrol for her scooter sets her back just £2.50, lunch on the beach costs just 70p and she can get her nails done as well as a massage for as little as £10. A coffee and breakfast for two costs less than £1, whilst a soft drink is 50p. And, while she's still undecided about a return to the UK in future, she says: 'I love it in Lombok, it's cheap and beautiful with a slower pace of life and I'm not like so many of the friends I have back in the UK who are finding life so tough because everything is so expensive. 'A massage is £5, so you could have three or four a week. If it's £7 for dinner, I can go out every night. 'When I speak to friends at home, they say, 'Don't come back!' 'It feels like the financial living crisis in the UK is getting worse. 'One of my main motivations is to help others find a better work/life balance and maybe make a move like mine.' A recent survey by the Office for National Statistics found that 87 per cent of adults in the UK describe the cost of living as an important issue, with around one in four reporting they would be unable to pay a large, unexpected bill. Yet Sarah doesn't share those worries - her current rent on a two-bedroom villa costs £166 a month which she pays annually, and her gas and electricity bills total £50 a month - with air conditioning. They're both a fraction of the monthly outgoings she used to pay. She explains: 'I rent my new home for £2,000 a year, paid upfront - vastly less than the £800-a-month mortgage I was paying in the UK. 'My prescription costs me £2.50, the same amount I pay for a tank of petrol for my scooter, while a breakfast for two could cost as little as £1. 'Having my food cooked in front of me on the beach only costs 70p. 'It's pretty incredible when you think about it and when you compare it to the UK.' 8 8 8 And having pivoted to including online work during the Covid 19 pandemic back in 2020, the cheap living costs mean Sarah's work as an interior designer has very low overheads. She says: 'The key factor is being able to create an online income.' Sarah, who was married for 20 years and divorced in 2013, decided to re-evaluate what she wanted out of life after her mum Sue, 87, died in 2023. She had previously travelled widely before having her sons, aged 26 and 22. Having my food cooked in front of me on the beach only costs 70p. It's pretty incredible when you think about it and when you compare it to the UK After multiple visits to Lombok over the years, Sarah says she was drawn by the "peace, beauty and culture" of the place - and also the low costs. At the end of last year she decided to make a more permanent move. She will be able to stay in the country until the end of the year on her current visa and can then choose to renew. 'Felt refreshed' Lombok has a tiny population of around 4,000 and if Sarah decided to move there permanently, the process would take around five years. 'I reflected on what a wonderful time I'd had there and how good it had been for my soul - I felt refreshed,' she explains. 'I spoke to my sons and said I didn't need their permission to move, but I did want their blessing. 'They could see how vibrant and happy I was and they both told me to go for it.' Packing up her life in Bristol, Sarah rented out her harbourside flat and made the move, via a 14-hour flight, in October 2024. Approaching pension age"without a big lump sum" behind her, Sarah felt it was the right time and she's thrived in her current location since. 'Here, living costs are a tenth of those in Bristol and my mental health has 100 per cent improved because I don't feel frightened of the future or have constant worry over money,' she explains. 'An hour-long massage costs £10, while in Bristol it would have been £90 for 45 minutes. Even a luxury cinema visit costs £5, including reclining seats and waitress service. 'I spend £40 a week on food, half of what I spent back in the UK. 'My repeat prescription costs £2.50 while at home it's £9.90 - how is it so much more expensive for exactly the same product?' Meanwhile, UK residents were warned last month of food and energy price rises in the near future. One of the luxuries a lower cost of living has bought Sarah is time, and freedom from worry. It's not looking great for someone my age collecting a pension in the UK, it's not going to go very far She says: 'When I was younger, I accepted life was a grind and I took on that responsibility, but at what point do you have the freedom to enjoy life? 'My days could be short - no one knows- and I wanted a change.' Pension concerns also played a role in her decision to move across the world. She says: 'It's not looking great for someone my age collecting a pension in the UK, it's not going to go very far. 'The irony is people here would love a plane ticket to go and live in the sophisticated Western world where they would earn a minimum wage of £12 an hour, the daily wage here, so it's a complicated economic system.' Despite the distance, Sarah knows she could be back in the UK within 24 hours in case of family emergencies - but six months in, she's not ready to contemplate leaving yet. However, although friends and family are very supportive of her move, they haven't been able to visit. She says: 'No one can afford to take the time off work which is why friends and family haven't visited yet. A lot of people don't have flexible work environments which mean they can take time off. 'But we speak regularly - sometimes more than if I was in Bristol.' She adds: 'I'm doing what a lot of people think they want to do. I want to encourage others to take the leap and give it a go - these are my golden years. 'I'm not saying I've quit the UK, I'm taking it step by step. 'Right now, it's the very early days of my adventure here.' 8
Globe and Mail
12-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Marina Bay City Launches as a Billion-Dollar Development Site in Lombok
Lombok, Indonesia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 11, 2025) - Marina Bay Group, in collaboration with Kinnara, Asia's premier property platform, has officially announced the launch of Marina Bay City, a billion-dollar beachfront development situated in South-West Lombok. Envisioned as Lombok's inaugural "future city," Marina Bay City integrates luxurious real estate, cutting-edge infrastructure, and exceptional lifestyle amenities into a single, master-planned coastal destination. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: Strategically positioned along one of Lombok's most valuable beachfronts, Marina Bay City is set to feature a fully serviced international marina, transforming the area into a major marine tourism hub and lifestyle center. The expansive development will comprise modern high-rise residences offering breathtaking ocean views, an internationally accessible marina for yachts and charter vessels, and prestigious international schools catering to the island's expanding local and expatriate community. Additionally, Marina Bay City will host vibrant retail villages with boutique shopping, trendy cafes, collaborative co-working spaces, and dynamic nightlife options. Wellness centers and state-of-the-art medical facilities dedicated to longevity and preventive health will further enhance the development's lifestyle appeal. Residents and visitors alike will enjoy diverse culinary experiences, ranging from fine dining establishments to sophisticated beach clubs and culinary precincts designed to appeal to an international clientele. Emphasizing sustainable urban development, Marina Bay City integrates smart infrastructure and eco-conscious design principles to foster long-term sustainable growth. Property options at Marina Bay City begin from AUD $139,000, offering attractive early-stage investment opportunities across luxury villas, branded residences, and resort-managed apartments, with flexible financing arrangements available to eligible buyers. "Marina Bay City represents more than just real estate-it is a visionary city of the future," said Adrian Campbell, CEO of Kinnara. "The Marina Bay Group's commitment to excellence and innovation, combined with Kinnara's extensive global marketing platform, ensures this development will be world-class and highly sought after. South-West Lombok is now poised as one of Asia's most exciting and promising coastal frontiers." Leveraging Kinnara's extensive listing network, Marina Bay City is prominently featured across 76 global property platforms, reaching potential buyers in 44 countries and providing unparalleled international exposure. Further enhancing the sales process is the Kinnara Concierge Network, enabling streamlined buyer-developer interactions and qualified lead generation through collaborative agent networks. Expressions of interest are currently being accepted. To request the complete information pack or to consult with a Kinnara-certified agent, please visit:
