INDONESIA - LOMBOK - GILI TRAWANGAN - 19 to 24 July, 2014 - 'THE GILI T'

Info

Ekajaya fast boat – 1 000 000R return with pick up/drop off.

Indigenous Bungalows –

Villa Unggul – 1 000 000R per room with breakfast

Cimodo (horse/cart) – generally 50 000 to 75 000R – not worth it.

Three island snorkel trip - 100 000R

Our journey

We left (me, my wife and two daughters) Legian at 8am bound for the fast boat for the Gili Islands at Padangbai. The shuttle bus was old and uncomfortable. On arrival at padangbai, the rear luggage door wouldn’t open. It took a lot of prying and time to get it opened.

The boat trip was calm and fast. The boat landed on the beach at Gili Trawangan. We had booked Indigenous Bungalows for our stay. There was supposed to be someone there to show us the way. It took ½ for them to turn up. We got two cimodos (horse/carts) to the hotel.

The carts were a novelty but the suspension was very poor so overall it wasn’t much fun after a few minutes bouncing around.

The hotel was located at the north of the island and inland. It was suppose to be a short walk but the road/track was 10cm deep in dust and a 20 minute walk to the nearest restaurant. The hotel was nice with big rooms but it just wasn’t suitable for this trip. One of my daughters was unwell and the walk distance to the beach/restaurants was not possible for her.

With the coming of the new day, I went looking for a new place to stay. We decided to go more upmarket and have some luxury on this family leg of the trip.

After breakfast, we moved to the new hotel, Villa Vu. It was across the road from the beach and near restaurants and other facilities. The hotel had a great pool, restaurant and its own area on the beach. The rooms were huge and very comfortable. The bathrooms were massive as well. Everyone was happy!

We spent the rest of our time in Gili Trawangan sitting, swimming and snorkelling around the pool or on the beach. The snorkelling off the beach was good but boats were a problem. That is, not getting run over by them. The swimming was best at high tide.

I had a couple of bike rides that were hard but fun. I cycled around the island and on another ride I rode to the south to watch the sunset. The riding was fun but finding a good bike was difficult. Most were poorly maintained but they were willing to adjust it to my liking.

On another day, I had a snorkelling trip around the three islands with a nice friendly, crowd of people from a variety of places around the world. The coral was good with a number of fish. The currents were strong at some locations.

While I did my cycling and snorkelling the girls baked.

Food on Gili Trawangan was usually good but this time the ‘better’ restaurants were the worse and the ‘not so good looking’ restaurants were the best. The latter was better in terms of food and service.

I wasn’t long before our time in Gili T came to an end. The journey back to Legian was eventful with rough seas, poor service and a shuttle bus that dumped everyone at bemo corner. I definitely do not recommend the Ekajaya. Overall the trip to Gili Trawangan was hot, warm and fun and most of all everyone was happy.

 

INDONESIA - LOMBOK - 'THE SOUTH' - April 2013

This part of the trip was a mixture of events.

I started off at Heaven on the Planet.

I arranged a motorbike and checked out the surf breaks on the southern coast but it was tiny. Still, it was a good fun ride.

I left after the first night. Why??? A number of reasons. Firstly, after making a deal with the price of the room and checking three times before I got there, the owners decided to change the deal and charge me more ie April is now high season (there was two of us there). secondly they upgraded to a 'better' room but it rain that night and water poured from the roof all over the room and deck. Luckily, it missed my bag and camera gear. Thirdly, the shower was no stronger than a leaky tap. Fourthly, the surf was flat. So with those reasons I left for Kuta, Lombok. I arranged a car pickup which took most of the day to arrive.

I arrived at Kuta Paradise Bungalows in Kuta, Lombok. On arrival, some guy out the front asked me if I wanted a motorbike. I had said no. I settled into my room and made transport arrangements with Talim. He couldn't finalise the arrangements until we settled with the guy out the front. I was greeted by a  ridiculous barrage of whinging and aggressiveness by the guy which I took no notice of and left it for Talim to sort out. After awhile it was sorted and the guy left. Overall, my the rest of my stay was great. The rooms were clean, comfortable and safe.

Well, it wasn't looking good for the Lombok trip but maybe it was a series of unfortunate events.

Now that I was mobile with a bike, I was able to get around. I had a few surfs and scooted around Kuta and along the coast to the east and the west.

A surfed at Segar a few times. The waves were great with only a few surfers out.

I motorbiked to Awang on another day and caught a boat to Ekas. The swell was bigger but the waves at Outside Ekas were good but sectioning too much. The boat was 300 000R

On a number of days, I biked around the area. The scenery at South Lombok is varied and very pretty - beaches, bays, headlands, massive hills, reefs. The roads were fair to atrocious. While on one trip, I met an old guy whose front yard I parked in (hard to tell track from yard). He wore a conical hat and I was wearing a gath helmet with go pro camera. It would have been a contrasting sight to an observer.

The beach at Kuta was nice and fine for a swim. There were a number of restaurants along the beach. Each one that I ate at had good food. The sellers were in abundance. They asked the 'you buy' routine a number of times, then walk off, return and started again. It was a bit annoying but because it goes on a lot it is best not to react negatively. I was lucky and met Julianna. We had some good chats regarding the luckiness of life and the good that can be found within it no matter what life you have. We made a deal that I would buy from her only on the last day. After the promise, it was easier to dissuade the others.

I met a number of tourists briefly while in Kuta from all parts of the world. They all had a good story to tell.

Impressions

Beautiful scenery.

A motorbike is a must.

Getting to the surf was a journey.

Food was great and cheap.

My first impressions of the locals was that making money from you was an obvious motivation.

My second impression was that the locals took the time to sit and chat.

My third impression of the locals was that they listened thoughtfully.

Selling, which is mainly by kids is relentless at times - if they don't sell, most finish quietly or show annoyance and a rare few are totally rude.

Did I like it???? Hmmm, not sure, there were good points and some not so good points.

In the words of Arny 'I'll be back' as I think I need to give it another go!

INDONESIA - Lombok - Kuta - 2008

Where to stay

Novotel Lombok 600 000r

tastura boutique resort – deluxe air con 175 000

655540

matahari hotel -

kuta indah – standard air con 250 000/125 000

Surfers Inn – standard air con 250 000/160 000

- with mini bar 225 000

What to do
Hire car

Surf

Novotel – right low to high

Tanjung a’an – beautiful beach

Selong blanak beach

Ekas – boat to inside (left and better right) and outside ekas ( mid tide) – breaks in front of resort – southern reefs- cape ringgal

Gurupuk – (2 lefts and 2 rights)

Air guling – left (mid to high) and right (low to mid)

Mawun left/right

Mawi left/right mid to high – sea urchins

Belongas right/left - sharks



May to October se winds

November to april sw winds

boat to surf 40 000

surf boat per day 200 000

kimen surf – ½ day gerupuk – 260 000

½ day mawi/air guling – 320 000


Transport


Novotel - Senggigi to kuta Lombok

85 000 – free to airport.

kimen surf transport

kuta to:

mataram 220 000

sengiggi 250 000

INDONESIA - Lombok - Sengiggi - 2008

accommodation

Batu bolong – sunset house homestay – batu bolong cottages ac 300 000

Mangsit beach – windy cottages – bulan baru hotel ac 250 000


activities

batu bolong, temple on point sunset

snorkeling north best

Perama tours

day trip along north coast

sekotong – boats to gili gede and gili nanggu,

mangsit beach

surfing – left mid to high – right – unknown spot north


Transport

Gili trawangan to senggigi

450 000 speed boat

INDONESIA - LOMBOK 2012

I had three and a half weeks in Indonesia. I booked the flights and one night in Legian, Bali. Apart from this, I wasn't certain as to where I would go in Indonesia.

The surf reports showed Ekas, Lombok to be the most consistently offshore windwise with a reasonable sized swell. I arrived in Bali, walked over to the domestic airport and purchased a flight to Lombok for the following morning. I stayed at Heaven on the Planet Resort and wandered between that and Ocean Heaven Resort. They are owned by the same person.

Besides the surf, I met lots of nice fellow travellers from various parts of the world.



The local people are very nice and helpful. I was there at the end of Ramadan and so met lots of locals at the beach. Everyone was in a great mood!



The next day, i was in Lombok and by mid morning I was out surfing.



this second surf video is of additional footage I neglected to upload previously. It was on my last day in Lombok. a good sized swell had hit. great waves all day.



The waves just kept coming for the next three weeks with off shore winds.






The area is very quiet and isolated. I hired a motorbike to get around to the various surf breaks and countryside. It was lots of fun riding on the dirt roads/tracks/dry river beds along the coast of south east Lombok. There were a few villages dotted around the area.



I visited Ekas village and walked along the pretty white sanded beach and pier. A pretty place.



A few of us went on a day trip to Tetebatu. We walked to the waterfall, had a freezing swim in the waterfall pool and walked the jungle track back to the car. At the end of the walk, we stopped for coconuts



I also did a bit of snorkelling between surfs. There was coral and some fish.



One of the attractions in the area is monkeys. Around the resort, on the beach and on the roads/tracks.



After Lombok, I flew back to Bali for a few days and stayed at Balian. The surf there was okay.




Though I didn't write much, the trip was excellent and I am now waiting patiently for return trip to Indonesia.

indonesia - lombok - gili trawangan 2012

Gili Trawangan 2012

The plane was delayed 5 hours in Maumere Flores to Denpasar, Bali. They did not charge me for my surfboard as compensation. My foot was sore. Five hours was a test of my endurance so I stayed in a VIP lounge. Beige walls, beige lounges and chairs, beige curtains…one person’s heaven is another person’s hell.

I finally arrived at Denpasar and Nyoman was there to pick me up and take me to the Grand Kumala hotel. I spent the rest of the day wandering around in small doses as I couldn’t walk for too long. By the evening, I thought I needed to be somewhere easy, pretty, flat, bike hire, good food… Gili Trawangan! I booked a ticket and pick up for the following morning. I then rang around and eventually found accommodation at Quiet Water Park Hotel in Gili Trawangan.  I spent the rest of the evening, sitting on the beach, drinking cocktails and eating. It was then back for some pain killers and sleep. Too easy!

In the morning all was going to plan…picked up on time, comfortable drive, boarded the Gili cat for Gili Trawangan, smooth ride, no problems on arrival and someone from the hotel met me halfway and carried my gear. Too easy!

I settled into the room. It had fan, aircon, comfortable bed, frig and tv. I arranged a bike for the week at 30 000 rupiah per day. I was the only person in the hotel, though a couple stayed there for a night a few days later. Too easy!

 he owner was a pleasant lady in her fifties came from Lombok mainland. She spoke no English but I managed to find out that her husband had passed away, she had two children (both at university), she lived in a small hut at the back of the village while on GT, she liked to go dancing and went to the all night parties. Generally, it was a nice place to stay.

I spent a lot of time on the bike and walked only short distances. My foot liked that! Snorkelling was an okay activity as well as I wasn’t putting any weight on my foot. So I spent a lot of time swimming and snorkelling. Most days I’d snorkelled for a while north of the pier and just off the beach and drift along with the current. The coral was okay and there were fish.  While snorkelling, one had to keep regular vigilance for boats motoring to shore. They seemed to be unaware that people were snorkelling.

The bike was the best part of the stay. I cycled around and through the island a few times, sometimes leisurely and once to see how fast I could do it.

I met lots of people, which is a big part of the fun.

Lots of big and small adventures happened so I’ll relive a few that stick in my mind the most.

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I went on a snorkelling trip around the islands for the day. It was pretty good and enjoyable. There were nice people on the boat and everyone was in a good mood. While we were snorkelling at Gili Air. A lady on our boat noticed that a guy from another boat was in trouble. I noticed that he seemed very exhausted and was being dragged along and over the reef by the swift current. There were two people helping but they were making no headway. No one form the other boat was doing anything. The crew were watching but doing nothing.

 I put on my snorkel gear and swam over to the guy. His helpers were looking tired too. I told them to swim back to their boat as soon it would be three people needing rescue. The guy was incoherent, big and exhausted. It took awhile but I managed to get him close enough to his boat so they could throw him a rope and pull him in the rest of the way. Good deed for the day done!

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The guesthouse was quiet but straight opposite was another guesthouse. There was one lady staying there from Lombok. I met her one morning while about to go on a bike ride. She wasn’t a tourist and didn’t live on the island but she was here working on the island. ‘Oh, are you working in one of the restaurants?’

‘Not really’

 ‘One of the shops?’

‘Not really’

 ‘What do you do?’

‘You know… with a coy smile.  

To be honest I was baffled. Why would I know?’ No. I don’t know’. She did a few hand gestures and I said, ‘ah. I know. Sorry, I’m going for a bike ride.’

She must have had good hearing or I’m very noisy as every morning she was there to meet me the moment I stepped out the hotel. She was persistent to say the least. I just kept ‘acting’ thick. Anyway, on my last morning she dressed up quite nicely and joined me to share a pot of tea. She told me her story.

 She lived on Lombok mainland, her husband had left her (she was glad as he use to hit her), she had a young daughter who was being looked after by her mother , she missed her daughter a great deal, she worked the bars and parties for work and when she had enough money she returns home. She was an interesting and nice person. I didn’t envy her work but one must do what one must do.

Still being persistent her final words centred on cleaning my house in Australia and ‘you know’.

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While cycling around, I noticed the signs for ‘magic mushrooms’. I felt that it would be good for my foot so I tried it for medicinal purposes. I went back to my room slightly paranoid of the upcoming effects! About 20 minutes later, I started to feel that adrenalin was pumping through my body. I needed to do something. A minute later, I was on the bike and cycling at a breakneck pace around the island. Previously, I took care going through the sandy parts but this time I had a record to make. The bike was writhing unpredictably through the soft sand but I managed to stay on. I passed a number of people who called out to me ‘hati-hati’ but I was relentless. Eventually, I was on the strip leading through the ‘urbanised area’. I passed a window front and the reflection was a shirtless guy, dripping with sweat and splattered with sand. Not a pretty sight! 

Back at the room, I showered and eventually returned to the land of the normal. I rang my wife to tell her the story in retrospect. I thought she would be proud of my bike time but she said I was an idiot. Where’s the support???

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One morning, I met and chatted to a guy. He was one of those noble human beings of this planet. He was scruffy looking but his story was one of kindness. He travelled a lot going from place to place helping people. He presently was looking after a friend hotel, fixing things and sorting out all sorts of problems for free. He was on his way to Bali to babysit, while another friend was in hospital. He spends two months of the year teaching English for free in poor areas. The list went on and on. He spoke fondly of his wife, eventual he told me she passed away a few years ago. His final words ‘live life being good to others and enjoying them as they may be there for only a short time!

I haven’t written too much on this guy but I have been greatly impressed by his exploits and inspired to lead a similar life but I’m just a tad too selfish to be that good.

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A tradition on GT is to go the south of the island and watch the glorious sunset. I cycled down ordered a beer and sat at a table enjoying the view and activities. The closer to sunset the more the crowd grew (but not too much) and people seemed to let go a little and were running, jumping and skipping along the beach. It was heaps of fun to watch. The sunset was magnificent!

A guy on the table next to me read a book the whole time. Must have been a good book!

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After a week, it was time to move on back to Legian, meet my wife and daughter at the airport and wander off to Padangbai.

indonesia - Lombok - ekas 2012

Lombok 2012

We arrive at the ‘wherethefxxkarewe’ wharf at Lombok from Sumbawa. There were a number of locals standing/sitting around the end of the wharf as the car from tropical took the remaining guests from the boat to the new airport. It was pretty quiet after they left and we sat there for awhile before the car from ‘Heaven on the Planet’ (HOTP) resort turned up.

The drive to ‘Heaven on the Planet’ was excellent. We drove along quiet roads and through small villages until we finally reached the dirt/mud/quagmire road that turned off the bitumen to HOTP. It had been raining a few days ago and the road was wet, slippery, and muddy rutted with pools of water. The car slid this way and that with mud spraying everywhere.  To me, a great car trip!

We arrived and settled into our rooms then went for surf. The waves were excellent. Later, we met the other four guys staying there. Amazingly, the four guys were the same guys from Melbourne that I had met there two years previously. They had arrived the day before but the road was unpassable when they came so they were shipped in by boat.

We/I spend the week, surfing, walking and cycling. The weather was very ugly for about four days with the wind blowing ferociously.

Commenting on the week, I decided that dividing it into the dark and bright side was the best way to describe my experience at Heaven.

The dark side of HOTP

The owner Kerry wasn’t there when we arrived. He stayed a few days then left again for a few days. Consequently, nothing actually got fixed or worked on while he was gone or not watching.

There were a lot of things to be fixed as the resort had been closed for the last few months. The beach was strewn with rubbish. This was partially cleaned up and the rubbish burned sending a plumb of smoke over the resort.

The pool was filthy with a resident frog population living there happily. It was worked on partially each day but after a week it was still unusable.

As time drew on other problems beset the place.

No water – water tank had a crack – so a water truck had to deliver water…remember the road!!!

The staff went on strike just before breakfast was ready for Paul and I so we had to cook our own breakfast. The only time I ever get seriously pissed off is when food is involved.

We asked for mountain bikes and they arrived after ½ day with no brakes on one bike. More bikes arrived the following day but Paul had left.

I asked for the windsurfers but they never arrived.

The roofs partially blew off a number of buildings.

Local repair work was hopeless and caused more mess/problems.

Certain foods ran out.

The usual spiders, scorpions and centipedes were in the rooms.

You had to firmly ask and persist for the boat to take us out to the breaks as the boat guys preferred to sit on their arse all day.

The laundry took a few days to come back and when it arrived it was still damp.

Okay, okay… what was I doing there if it was so bad??? Well that was the darkside and every darkside has a brightside

The bright side of HOTP

The owner, Kerry is a really nice guy. I like it him and despite the problems I consider them to be part of the indo experience. Kerry had me in stitches the way he would go off at the workers and later talk so fondly of them. He loves the place, his staff and locals. He treats them with the respect of a father-figure and they treat him like disobedient naughty children. I liked the way the good, the bad and the ugly blended together so well. Though I was pissed off about breakfast!!

The scenery at HOTP is very, very beautiful. The coastline, beaches and jungle are so pretty. There are so many paths/tracks leading all over the place. The walks along the beaches and through the jungle are an adventure.

When the mountain bikes finally arrived, I went on a long cycle ride through fields, villages, along the coastline and over flooded roads. It felt so remote yet safe, adventurous and fun.  Early in the ride, I nearly tipped over and fell on a local lady. Her friend was laughing but she was clearly unamused. She called me ‘bodoh’ ‘idiot’ and gestured for me to go far away from her. I was very apologetic but I think it lacked true sincerity. At once stage, the road had disappeared under a lake. Luckily, an enterprising local solved my problem with a raft.  He swam the raft with myself and the bike on top across the water for 10 000 R to where the road continued.  At this point, I had started to have lots of talks with locals (not many people around for the first hour) – where are you from, why are you here, etc. I also had three marriage proposals. My wallet was very attractive, I think or am I wrong and it is just my natural charm and babe magnet techniques… nah it’s the wallet.

The surf can be okay to really good and lots of fun. The first two days were excellent – glassy with sizeable sets.  There were only 6 of us surfing there in total. At the other break, there were only two of us out and when everyone had left there was only one out (moi). On the last day, the surfing was big and a bit scary with drowning a possibility. It was that big that the boat that normally motor out in tranquil waters barely made it through the shore break! The boat peaked over one wave at a 45 degree angle and landed with a thump that I thought would break it in two. They sit on their arse but they did a good jog ‘kerja baik’ that day.

There were people there for a while but most of the time I was there by myself. I quite enjoyed that time. It gives one time to be introspective and do the things you want to do when you want to do it.

Kerry gave me two free nights at a later date due to ‘problems’ that occurred.

This was my second time at HOTP and despite the problems ‘I’ll be back’. The first time there were no dark side problems. Luck of the draw like anywhere. The time on my own gave me the time to start feeling the Indo experience and adventure - talking with the locals and doing things that were different.

My trip was changing!

Indonesia - Ekas Lombok to Medewi Bali - May 2010

The surf was looking its best this morning. I just didn’t have time as I needed to sort out my bill and drive to the airport at Mataram for my flight to Bali.


I pay my bill, said my farewells and arrived at Mataram half hour earlier than I expected. The drive was great, especially, when we passed through a market in pone town. The traffic slowed and it was very interesting sitting on the inside looking out and the daily market happenings.

The check in at the airport was quick but the plane was delayed, it was well over an hour before it finally left. It was a bit annoying as I really did have time for surf.

Nyoman, my driver in Bali was at the domestic airport waiting. We3 stopped at a bakery and continued our journey though cloud and then rain to Medewi. The ride was relatively free of traffic though just at Medewi we experience delays due to a truck and car colliding.

At Medewi, in the pouring rain, I met up with Ross. We stayed at a no name losman with clean cheap rooms amongst a number of families.

Domestic airport to Medewi 400 000 rupiah

Room Medewi 70 000 rupiah

Indonesia - Lombok - surf - April/May 2010

28/04/10 - sunny


I arrived and surfed afternoon at Lombok 1 at about ½ to 1 metre sluggish lefts.

29/04/10 – sunny

We caught a boat and surfed at Lombok 3 at about 1 to 1 ½ metre rights. The waves were excellent with fast steep takeoff and a long wall.

In afternoon, I had a surf Lombok 1 at ½ to 1 metre. Once again it was a bit sluggish but some of the rights were more exciting where they broke.

30/04/10 – sunny

I surfed at Lombok 1 early at about ½ to 1m lefts. I then caught boat to Lombok 3 which was excellent again at 1 to 1 ½ metres.

1/05/10 – sunny

We had surf at Lombok 3 at late in the morning at 1 metre. It was a bit bigger on the sets.

2/05/10 – sunny

We had small ½ metre surf at Lombok 1 but it was short and sluggish. Later, we caught a boat to Lombok 2 for 1 to 1 ½ metres waves. The waves were powerful and fun lefts.

3/05/10 – sunny

We had a surf Lombok 1 at ½ metre in morning.

Later in morning, we had a surf Lombok 2 at 1 plus metres. The peak kept shifting but it was still powerful and fun.

4/05/10 – sunny

The swell had picked up and was looking good at Lombok 1 at about 1 to 1 ½ metres. Unfortunately, I had to leave for my flight to Bali. More unfortunately, I arrived early at the airport and the flight was delayed an hour so I really did have time for a surf. I had a magnum to cheer me up!

Indonesia - Lombok, Ekas - scuba diving - May 2010

The opportunity arose for a scuba dive at Ekas. I have never been before and they had an introductory dive available.


We caught a boat to a coral reef in the centre of the bay and while on the way I was explained equipment use and safety instructions.

Into the water we went and slow sank into the depths. The visibility was poor on the surface but at 3 metres it was clear. There were heaps of corals and fish.

The best part was being under the water for so long skimming just above the various coral formations.

I was a bit disoriented when I finished but it was well worth it.

indonesia - Lombok - Ekas - HIKE - April 2010

I left the resort just before sunrise for a walk through the jungle and back along the coast.

I walked through the resort and down the hill to the beach. Halfway down the path there is a turnoff to the left. I followed this track through the jungle which joined up to a dirt road. I followed the dirt road to the home of the resort owner. The view from the hill was pretty spectacular.

I then followed another track through the jungle which led down to the beaches on the other side of the headland. This track was steep and slippery, especially, in the section just before the beach.

The beach was white sand surrounded by steep cliffs. A short distance along the beach I surprised a huge goanna which quickly scurry along the sand to the rocks at the base of the cliffs. The end of the headland at the far end of the beach wasn’t passable due to the slippery rocks and the incoming tide.

I returned along the beach and around the base of the headland I walked over previously. The incoming tide made it difficult to pass due to slippery and numerous rocks. Eventually, I worked out it was easier to walk through the water on the flat of the reef, which was about waist deep. I got a little wet but it was quicker.

Upon reaching the beach on the other side of the headland I was treated to a sight of a pack of monkeys. They made it clear they didn’t like my presence so I stayed in the water wading along the edge of the beach until there was a safe distance between them and me.

At the end of the beach, the local guys were preparing the boat. At this point, the steep stairs lead from the beach and back to the resort.

Indonesia - Lombok - Ekas - Heaven on the Planet Resort - April/May 2010

Heaven on a Planet resort is situated at Ekas in the south east of Lombok on a hill overlooking a wide bay. It is an isolated place with a few nearby small rural villages.

The resort has a large entertainment and eating area. The menu has a large choice of meals. Down the hill from this level is another entertainment area with chairs, television and sound system. Below level is the small but nice swimming pool.

The rooms are situated in the gardens or overlooking the bay.

My room had a large double bed with mosquito net, television, DVD, various pieces of furniture and a bathroom.

 

 

The gardens have paths leading in various directions. At the bottom of the hill is a nice white sand beach with reasonable swimming at high tide. There are chairs and tables. The resort boat is moored on the beach.

The staff are westerners and locals. All are friendly and very helpful.

Power is provided by generator, which is turned off during the night. On a few nights, the lack of fan made the room extremely hot and uncomfortable. The roof is thatched so the nets are to keep out mosquitoes and critters from the roof. Scorpions are around and they search for damp places so shake your towel and costumes well before using.

There are other inclusions in the package deal stay or one can opt for the no package deal.

 

Overall, it is a great place to stay but expensive by Lombok standards. Drinks and certain activities are in addition to the package cost.

indonesia - Legian Bali to Ekas Lombok - April 2010

 

 

After a night’s rest in Legian Bali, I was ready to move to other places.

The day before, I checked the web for surf conditions then I booked flights to and from Mataram in Lombok. After that, I rang heaven on a planet resort in Lombok Ekas and booked accommodation and pick up at Mataram airport.

I caught a taxi to the domestic airport in Bali for 50 000 rupiah. I checked in at the Merpati counter then went to another counter to pay 52 000 rupiah for my surfboard. The domestic flight tax at customs was 30 000 rupiah.

The flight was very quick with no problems. The flight is so quick that they give you a snack box and water as you are boarding the plane.

Mata ram airport is well organised and I quickly got my bags and went through customs.

I met four other guys from Melbourne who were going to Heaven on the planet resort. We travelled about 2 hours in a van to get to Ekas. The journey was great passing through towns and countryside. People were busy doing work or nothing at all. The last part of the drive was through rough roads to a bumpy track.

I quickly settled into HOT planet resort. The entertainment area looked great, the room was excellent and the views awesome.

Indonesia - Lombok - Gili Trawangan - Martas Bungalows - April 2009

0812 3722 777

628123722777 bungalow number
6281339812299 joanna mobile after 10/4
martas_trawangan@yahoo.com
650 000 family room 400 000 double room


Marta’s is located on Gili Trawangan. Follow the main road south and turn right at the Marta’s sign. Follow this road and it is on the right just after the first cross road.

The hotel has a small number of two-storey double rooms and two two-storey family rooms. The latter can hold five persons – two double beds and one single bed. The rooms cost 400 000 r for double and 650 000 for family room. All rooms have air conditioning, bathroom and verandah. The rooms are constructed of dark wood and marble. They are very unusual and different. We liked them a lot.

The grounds are small with paths lined with plants and shady trees. There is a nice salt water pool fed water by two stone statues. A small toddler’s pool is attached.

The breakfast which is included in the price consists of tea/coffee, fruit, juice and another item. This is served on your room verandah.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. The owner’s wife is English – Jo who is very friendly and has a beautiful daughter Isha.

Currently a new restaurant/kitchen is being constructed.

Worse points: none

Best points: great rooms, nice staff, great pool

Indonesia - Lombok - Snorkeling

Most places where you can snorkel there will be a place nearby to hire gear. Personally, I take my own gear for two reasons. One it is more hygienic and two, the gear I take will not have any leaking or fitting problems.

Advice for snorkeling with young kids

When my kids were this age we took body boards which I attached to my leg and the girls floated on board while I pulled them around. This way I got to snorkel off boats, near shore etc and felt okay. My youngest had difficulty with a snorkel so she used swimming goggles. The limitation is that I couldn't dive under unless I detached them.

Kuta, Lombok

Many areas with clear water, sand, coral, fish – visibility very good.

Gili islands, Lombok

All islands are excellent – close to shore with steep drops – sharks, fish, coral, turtles, rocks – many great spots – drift with the currents - hire a boat to snorkel around islands or take a tour.

Problems with indo snorkeling

In all these places it can be ‘bad’ due to:

Changes in visibility
Strong currents
Stinging jellyfish
Biting sea lice
Sea urchins
Tidal changes
Poor hired gear

One year in the Gili trawangan, there were sea lice that made it a misery to swim or snorkel and the welts afterwards become very itchy.

Indonesia - Lombok - Tetebatu

Tetebatu is a spread out rural village on the southern slopes of Gunung Rijini. It has great views.

What to do

scenic road to Tetebatu

trek to Taman Wisata Tetebatu - waterfalls and monkeys

trek to waterfall - air terjaun jukut

trek to waterfall – air terjun joben

ricefields

watch kotaraja - stick fight

Loyok - basketware

Rungkang – pottery

Lendang Nangka – sasak village

Pringgasela - weaving

Where to stay

Losmen Hakiki
081803737407

Pondok Tetebatu
0376 632572

Nirmana Cottages

Cendrawasih Cottages
081803726709

Wisma Soedjono
0376 21309

Indonesia - Lombok - Gettting to and from Gilis/Lombok - 2009

BY AIR

Bali to Lombok flights

Buy from airport or travel agent

1. Garuda - www.garuda-indonesia.com
Airport: 0370 646846
Call centre: 080 418 07807

2. merpati airlines – www.merpati.co.id
Lombok: 0370 621111
Airport: 0370 633637
Bali: 0361 235358

3. Indonesian air – www.iat.co.id
Lombok: 0370 6880210 or 0370 639589
Bali: 0361 759768 or 0361 7406929

4.Trigana Air – www.trigana-air.com
Lombok: 0370 646839
Bali: 0361 760218

5. Trans Nusa Air – www.transnusa.com
Lombok: 0370 6162428
Bali: 0361 760218

International flights

Silk Air – Singapore/Lombok direct
www.silkair.com

merpati airlines – kuala Lumpur/Lombok via Surabaya
www.merpati.co.id

Domestic flights

Garuda
Lion Air – www.lionair.co.id
Merpati Airlines
Trans Nusa Air
Batavia Air – www.batavia-air.co.id


BY SEA

Large ferry -Padangbai (bali) to Lembar (Lombok) – 4 to 5 hours crossing – depart every two hours.

Perama Tours – pick up by bus – stopping at all three gilis and senggigi – 10 hours crossing – www.peramatour.com

Fast boats – also stop at Lombok mainland south of Bangsal.

Gili cat - 1 200 000 return and 660 000 single – 1 ½ hours
Rate for child ( 4 - 11 years old ) – 975 000 return and 544 000 one way
The price is including shuttle transfer to and from Sanur & Kuta and Ubud area.
www.gilicat.com
0361 27 16 80
081 337911733
The boat leaves from Padangbai – boat boards at 8:30 to leave 9:00 arriving Gili Trawangan at 10:30 am
When leaving Gili Trawangan, board at 11:00 to leave 11:30 arriving at Padangbai 1:30

Blue Water Express leaves from Benoa to Gili Trawangan – 8am leaves Benoa – 11am leaves Gili Trawangan – the journey is about 2 ½ hours
www.bwsbali.com

A speed boat Sengiggi to and from Gili Trawangan was 450 000 for four of us and heaps of gear. It was fun and very fast.

Arrange transfers with hotel or organize yourself a combination of road and sea transport. This involves a road transport on Lombok mainland and a chartered local boat to the hotel doorstep of the hotel if tide is right or harbour and a horse and cart. This was organized by the hotel for 450 000. It was fun, scenic and relaxing

Indonesia - Lombok - Gili Nanggu

accommodation
Gili Nanggu bungalows
623783
www.gilinanggu.com

activities

Boat trip to other islands

Snorkeling

Transport

Walking 100 000 boat from tawun
150 000 boat from lembar

Indonesia - Lombok - Gili Meno - 2009

Gili Meno is the middle island of the Gili Island group. It small and surrounded by white sand beaches and palm trees. The pace of life is slow and relaxed.

Where to stay

Bird park Resort
0370 642321
www.balipvbgroup.com

Good heart
081339556976

Hotel Gazebo Meno
0370 635795

Villa Nautilus
0370 642143
www.villanautilas.com

Kontiki Meno
0370 632824

Biru meno
08133657322

Tao Kombo
08123722174
tao_kombo@yahoo.com

Kura-kura bungalows
Casablanca hotel
Blue coral
Pondok Santay
Pondok Siri
Zoraya
Lumba-Lumba

What to do

Bird park

Cycle

Snorkel – best at the surf reef in south of island, meno slope and gili meno wall

Surf

Walk around and through the island

Talk with locals

Visit Gili Trawangan or Gili Air

Visit Lombok mainland

Volcano trek to Rijini

Snorkel tour

Cimino ride

Diving

Visit local school

Charter boat ½ or full day – fish, snorkel, and laze around on waters, visit islands or combos of these. 400 000 to 600 000 rupiah

Do nothing

Inter island transport

Catch inter-island ferry to Gili Trawangan (30 000 rupiah) or Gili Air (30 000 rupiah). The boat leaves Gili Trawangan at 9:30am then stops Gili Meno then Gili Air and returns at 3:00 from Gili Air, then Gili Meno, hen Gili Trawangan. The boat leaves Gili Trawangan at 4:00 pm, then Gili Meno, then Gili Air.

Public boat to Bangsal, Lombok – 10 000 rupiah – leaves every hour once it has 25 passengers.

Charter boat to Gili Trawangan or Gili Air – 250 000 rupiah one way.

Indonesia - Lombok - Gili Air - 2009

Gili Air is the closest Gili Island to the mainland. It is very relaxed and quiet. Transport on the island is horse and cart, bicycle and walking. There is a track/road around the circumference of the island. A paved road runs from the harbour through the centre of the island. A number of tracks run in various directions all over the island. The harbour is a quiet affair.

Accommodation

There is a lot of accommodation that is cheap and clean. Rooms vary from fan to air con. There are also a number of ‘hotels’ that have passed their ‘used by’ date. A number of new hotels have been built near the harbour. You can book before you go or find accommodation when you arrive. Upon arrival there are many touts near the jetty that will take you to available accommodation.

Gili air hotel
Supier room - 550 000 air for 2
giliair@mataram.wasantara.net.id
62 370 634435

Eating

there are restaurants spread out along the island though most are on the south, east and north coast in sections.

Activities

Snorkeling – just let the current pull you along. Note that in some places the currents are very strong and the drop off to deep water is very steep.

Diving – diving centres are located on the island
.
Cycling – the ‘road’ gets a little bogged down in sand in some places on the west coast.

Hire a local boat and snorkel.

Go on a snorkel cruise – this stops at a number of places around the three Gili islands.

Locals are very friendly so have a chat.

Cimodo tour around island

Surf – surfboards are available to hire

Walk around and through island

Transport

Horse and cart rides (cimodo)

Walking

Cycling

Getting around between islands

There are ferries between the Gili islands or you can hire a local or speed boat.