Nicely to see how more and more undertaking people consider Lombok as a paradise on ground and pleasant undertaking is.

Over some months Anja Braeken (34) and Olaerts (37) are expecting to receive their first guests in the luxurious villa complex (or `lodge) on the Indonesian island build Lombok.

After almost fifteen years behind the counter of their catering business in Opglabbeek, Belgium, it was about time to start something new. “Our first intention was to, within a few years, to live on Lombok, but it all accelerated much more rapidly then planned. We loved to travel far and did travel a lot, says Anja. This way our passion for hotels has arisen.

We were looking for a more personal approach and service. In New Zealand we got familiar with the concept of the lodge, a small-scale villa complex where you can enjoy eating and drinking both in private and with the other guests. That what we wants to offer on Lombok.

The Maasmechelen architect Vittori Simoni signed The Lombok Lodge, a complex of seven villas with swimming pools, wellness center a bar and restaurants. Building the complex, especially the position of the sea and the sun has been taken into account, says Simmoni. As from last summer, local profession people will accelerate building the complex, according to local construction habits: with many open spaces and in nature stone.

Awaiting the planned large opening on 10 October 2010, Anja and Ben run a small guesthouse the villa. “The authenticity of the volcanic island interested them immediately”, says Anja. We felt at home immediately. It’s greenness is incredible, with an azure blue sea.

The government wants to preserve the unspoiled character, the chafing example of the fully developed island Bali lies near. Lombok is still a little touristic. With golf areas, snorkeling and the volcanic landscape, there enough possibilities for excursion, say Anja. In fact it is like Bali, but then more nicely and more untouched.

The possibility to invest in a hotel is because of they’re hard work and creating a moneybox and the right time to find a buyer for their catering business. Those have brought everything in a flow acceleration. At first our intention was to live on Lombok within a few years.

Their four-year old son is looking forward to move to the island. When we returned after our last stay to Belgium, he asked why we not ordinary remained there. For Ben and Anja, the moment to leave is now. We’re not waiting to our fiftieth, says Ben. I did not see myself sitting still with such a large project to start. They do not draw to the island to blow, he says. We no longer work from six to twelve, as we have done the past fourteen years. But we can not afford to sit still. And on holiday we come to Belgium.
Indonesia is for many people a large unknown country, thinks Ben. If the country comes in the news, it always concerns it local floods or Moslem extremism. While the country is so large and divers. “The people are friendly and honest”, says Anja. “

At the airport you’ll find a church, a mosque and a Hindu temple next to each other. And everyone talks with everyone after the church.

Travelling to Lombok, takes about seventeen hours flying. It’s also a little time travel. “You go back fifty years,” laughs Ben. “With the car you have to stop for crossing chickens and cows. At night wheelers mount a flashlight against the motor on their lack of a headlight. ”
www.thelomboklodge.com