Hi Sarah, check out the Secret Gili Islands! Read more here: https://www.weseektravel.com/secret-gili-islands-kedis-nanggu-sudak/

I am looking for the best places in Lombok to snorkel (i Freedive). Do you know where I can snorkel from shore on Lombok? Thankyou

Lombok has a street dog population but I didn’t witness any abuse or mistreatment. My perception is that the people of Lombok are kind to animals.

While I can’t speak on your experience in Thailand, I’ve also traveled here extensively and even volunteered at an animal rescue in Thailand. While there are definitely animals and street dogs that need help, I’ve never witnessed any terrible animal abuse there. A common misconception by travelers looking in from the outside is that these struggling street dogs are “abused” by their owners due to problems like mange and malnutrition. The thing is that they don’t have any owners to give them medicines or treatments. In the west we treat our pets like humans. It’s a different attitude and one that arises from the privilege of comfort and an expendable income.

Again, I can’t speak on your experience, but I’d say that “animal abuse” is equally prevalent in the west, it just happens behind closed doors. Think puppy mills etc…

There are plenty of animal shelters in Lombok that volunteer their time and do their very best to reduce the street dog population and help the ones that need it.

No problem Marcel, thanks for writing great guides!

Marcel