A 7km side tour off the coastal road, on a bumpy dirt road, will bring you to the triple waterfall of Gangga. The size of the waterfalls are not as exciting as getting to them. The first fall is straight forward. The second one is reached by crossing in front of the plunging water of the first and then balancing on some slippery bamboo poles. The last one is the cave waterfall, below to the two others. You have to walk upstream in the riverbed, before you can see the water be pressed out of the cliff face. If the water pressure is low, you can even climb up and explore the crack where the water emerge from.

There are a few things in this world you have see before believing them and the Rafflesia (Rafflesia arnoldii) is one of them. It is the biggest flower on the planet. It is huge, plastic-like and smelly. More than a meter in diameter, can weight more than 10 kg, and its perfume resemble the smell of rotten meat. This rare flower only blooms in a few weeks and then it is gone. The season is between August and November and the locals know where to find the blooming ones.

The Gilis, as they are called, are three small palm fringed islands with long sandy beaches. They are surrounded by warm turquoise water with descent corals and excellent marine life, making it a world class dive spot, with equal good snorkeling (good chances to see turtles just by snorkeling from the shore). The three islands all have a different vibe; Gili Air is the local island with more traditional life than the others, Gili Meno is the smallest and for those who want to chill, while Gili Trawangan is the party island with something for everybody. There is no cops nor traffic on any of the islands, beside horse carts and bicycles, and very little Bob Marley. Sounds like paradise on earth? Well, it is pretty darn close.

The summit of volcano Gunung Rinjani (3726m) is not only the highest point on Lombok, but the second highest volcano in Indonesia (Gunung Kerinci on Sumatra is the highest). Rinjani is active, and so is the smaller and newer volcano, Baru Jari, inside its crater. Beside the new smoking mini cone, the crater also contains a holy lake called Segara Anak. Both the summit of Rinjani and the crater lake is considered sacred by the local Sasak people who scale the mountain as a pilgrim, but anyone is welcome to do the trek when it is considered safe. There are several routes and the treks can be done from 3 days. You can arrange guide, equipment and porters in either Senaru, Sembalun Lawang or Sapit, though Senaru seems as the most popular starting place.

Not just a natural spa, but a whole river with steaming hot water flowing through the jungle in the shade of volcano Inerie. The water is hot, as in around 47 degrees, and not suitable to swim in, but downstream several cold side-rivers flow in and make the temperature more tub-warm. To find the spot, travel on the road from Bena to Naga outside Bajawa. Cross the bridge over the steaming river and follow the trail behind the houses to the right. It is a totally tranquil settings with bamboos and trees hanging over the green bottom river. Locals come down to bath and do not seem to mind the numbing heat in the unmixed hot water upstream.

At the summit of volcano Kelimutu (1640m) are three different coloured crater lakes. The colours are slowly changing and are caused by the dissolving of minerals. One of the lake is apparently always turquoise, while the two others can be anything from black, emerald green to chocolate brown or even red – together or separately. Seeing the sunrise from the summit is often hyped as a "most see"-thing and while the first rays of light certainly will bring some warm to the freezing cold, the lakes can be equally enjoyed later in the day when the rays of sun actually reach the surfaces of the lakes.

The world's biggest lizard is the Komodo Dragon that can grow to over three meters long. It is aggressive, fast, and its bite can be deadly due to the impressive range of bacterias in its mouth. The Komodo dragon lives not only on Komodo Island, but also on Rinca Island which is closer to Flores. On Rince you actually have a better chance to see the dragons, since the island is smaller and there is less food available – meaning they hang out around the ranger station. To catch a sight of a full grown monster in their natural environment, go to Komodo, but you might risk not see any at all. The best option is of course to visit both islands.

Why would anyone go Kuta? It's touristy, the town is ugly and the beach is not even that nice! Well, because Indonesia's most famous beach area is pleasure zone. There is something for everybody, whether they seek style or sleaze. Potbellied, beer drinking Australians are rubbing shoulders with tattooed surfer dudes and blonde, Scandinavian girls on holiday fun. Even families on vacation are crowding up the narrow lanes that are packed with endless supplies of t-shirts, pirate DVDs and tacky souvenirs (like wooden penis bottle opener, why?). But it is Kuta, and that is how Kuta is!

Lombok has also a Kuta Beach, which not surprisingly is called Kuta Lombok. The place remind Bali fans of Kuta Beach Bali thirty years ago. Investors have now started to buy up seafront estate, so maybe in a couple of years it will turn into another tourist ghetto. But until then, Kuta Lombok is a getaway for surfers and travellers with a crave for easy living and nightly acoustic performances. During the day fishing boats outnumber sunbathers on the long stretch of white sand. Kuta bay is protected by rough hills to both sides and the outer reef makes sure that the waves break a long way from the shore, leaving calm waters for those fancy a swim. It is a tranquil place with a friendly vibe, but only God knows for how long.

A little rustic bungalow on stilts overhanging crystal clear water and corals is one of the main attractions at Iboih on Pulau Weh Island. The only activities here are the quiet island life, lazy hours in the hammock, and the amazing diving and snorkelling which can offer encounters with manta rays, stingrays and whale sharks among others. It's truly a real little getaway.