Update and FAQs re Islam and Chop Sticks in Indonesia

I am still in Lombok, Indonesia. Not much has been going on here. Therefore, the absence of any story/pic dispatches. I have spent most of the last week or so lounging on the beach and by the pool, and spending time with some Dutch friends I've made <-- many Dutch here maybe because Indonesia was a Dutch colony for 300 years.

I am returning to HCM City, Vietnam on Friday, November 7th. There I intend to investigate my next destinations or, more specifically visa constraints associated with destination options. Probable 1st stop after HCM City will be Phuket, Thailand - but we'll have to wait and see.
I have received several duplicate questions in emails since arriving here - most of which have been related to the Muslim religion in Indonesia. Here are the most asked questions:

1. Are most Indonesians Muslims?
Yes - the vast majority of Indonesians are Muslims. The other major religion here is Hindu - they are found here and there throughout Indonesia but they are also the predominant religion on certain islands like Bali. Animism is the other major religion. And some Indonesians, like the Sasaks, practice a combination of all 3 of these religions. What's interesting is they are taught and learn the Koran in Arabic and the Mullahs' calls to prayer are all in Arabic. I have asked many Indonesians if they speak/understand Arabic and all have responded "just a little"!? It is also interesting to note that there are many middle eastern tourists here.

2. Do Muslim women wear bathing suites and go swimming in the ocean?
The answer is no and yes. I have seen only young muslim women in the ocean and they wear their tight-fitting jeans, thigh-length blouses, and head scarves when doing so - and then sit in the shade until they dry! I even saw a young women doing laps in the swimming pool with head scarf, tight-fitting jeans, and a thigh-length blouse! Btw men wear western style bathing suites.

3. Prostitution?
Not really. However, Lombok Island is known for its "Karaoke Clubs" I checked out a couple of them. Most have bars and pool tables. The girls are in a separate building found sitting on 2- and 3-teared "stages". You pick the girl(s) you want, pay 50 rupiah ($5)/hr for them, and 90 rupiah ($9) for a room for the night. The "room" is very small with AC furnished with not more than a bench with back and cushions and a legitimate/working karaoke system with television!? The concept is that you sing karaoke to one another in the privacy of these rooms. I have heard that a lot of intimate "touching" goes on but absolutely no sex - that is forbidden and they have many very large bouncers around to enforce the rules! There is even a karaoke place that caters to middle easterners who evidently prefer "heavy" girls. I met and played pool with the madam of one of these places - who spoke good English, was articulate, and a good 8-ball player. She explained that most of the girls come from less inhabited islands, that they are provided room/board, and keep half of their hourly rates. All of this was very, very weird to me - and a total turn off.

4. Weather?
This is the end of the Indonesian high season - so moderate, short daily rains have started. By mid- or late-November it will be raining most of the day. The temp hits the 90s everyday - remember this is < 100 miles south of the equator.

5. Do they use chop sticks in Indonesia?
No they do not. They use knifes, forks, and spoons as westerners do. They also eat many things with their hands - including rice which is eaten with most Indonesian dishes. It is weird seeing so much rice and no chop sticks!

6. What about some info re where you are staying in Lombok?
It's a 4-star resort called the Senggigi Beach Resort located directly on the beach on a peninsula of about 15 acres of beautifully landscaped property - see 1st set of pics I sent from here. It was the first major hotel on Lombok originally built in 1987. It has about 160 "rooms" most of which are 1-story 4-bungalow clusters, 2 bars, 2 restaurants, and 1 large swimming pool. Service is terrific - I have met most of the 230 people employed here. My bungalow is about $47/night including breakfast and all taxes (that run about 22%!).

That's about it from here. I will be in touch again after getting back to Ho Chi Minh City. All take care