3 Best Sights in Indonesia

Learn about the history of Lombok at this lovely museum, which includes such cultural treasures as fossils, prehistoric tools, musical instruments, and pottery. Displays of historical artifacts, geological finds, and decorative arts are helpfully labeled in both Indonesian and English, and the museum includes a pretty garden where you can relax after soaking up some culture. Plan to go early in the day, unless you're there on a Friday—it closes early most days.

Created for the king in 1774, this pretty park is 10 km (6 miles) east of Mataram. Inside the park you'll find a Hindu temple, Pura Kalasa, as well as a swimming pool and food stands. Be on the lookout for the "fountain of youth," said to bring long life to those who wash their face in the water.

The holiest temple complex in Lombok, built in 1714 by King Anak Agung Ngurah, Pura Lingsar includes a temple for Hindus as well as one for Wetu Telu, Lombok's Islamic religion. In the Wetu Telu temple, you'll find a pond filled with holy eels; if you so desire, you can buy hard-boiled eggs from a stall to tempt them, as feeding them is supposed to bring good luck. You'll need to rent a sash and/or sarong to enter if you don't have your own. Pura Lingsar is located on the outskirts of Mataram.