Why Lombok?
Because Bali is too mainstream.
What did I know about Lombok before going on the trip?
The famous Gilis (small island)
Okay, here's day by day recap:
Day one:
- Flight to from Jakarta to Lombok International Airport - Ticket price approx IDR1,700,000 per person. It is around to hours flight. Don't forget that you have to pay the airport tax
O clear blue sky.
-After arriving safely at Lombok International Airport, we (I went with five other friends) we are renting a minibus with a driver (the bus can fit to 10++ ppl) for approx IDR 750,000 per car for eight-ten hours use. There aren't much public transportation here. So renting a car is the most convenient, or you can rent a motorcycle. Imagine six people on one motorcycle, it's circus everyone!
- It was one a half hour drive (I think haha) to Senggigi from the Airport. Later on we checked in at the Hotel Puri Senggigi. How do we know about this Hotel? Agoda is the answer. We booked our hotels through Agoda. There are a lot of Hotel in Lombok and you can whatever the one that suitable with your budget. For our three nights in Lombok, it was less that IDR 600,000 per person in three different hotels and so far it was okay.
For Hotel Puri Senggigi, it was an old hotel it think, but it was still nice and okay for the price you pay. You get an air conditioned room with a breakfast.
- After we checked in, in the noon we stroll around the Senggigi Beach and watch the sunset. The beach it self is not as amazing as I thought it would. They say that Senggigi Beach is like Kuta Beach in Bali, where there are a lot of clubs and it's getting crowded and lively in the night. But we aren't the party people type haha.. At night we had dinner at Menega Seafood, just like Menega in Bali. The food was nice with average price of IDR 100,000 per person
Hei there sunset!
- We continue our trip to Gili Trawangan. The speed boat from Bangsal Harbour to Gili Trawangan is only IDR 13,000 one way. It's an affordable ride, but there are no public transportation from Senggigi to Bangsal Harbour. So the tricky part is to find a drop off service to Bangsal. There are a lot of service offered there, just make sure that you can bargain in a good price.
Clear blue water of Gili Trawangan.
- We stayed at Trawangan Oasis Hotel for one night. I like the ambiance of the hotel very much that I even wrote a nice review for them on Trip Advisor. hahaha. Here is the review
It was a very pleasant and relaxing stay there. It took some time for us to find the Hotel from the harbour, but the friendly staffs of the Hotel are patiently guiding us, they even picked us up and guide us to the Hotel. There are not much rooms so it feels very intimate and relaxing. They also have a small pool in the center of the cottages. And it was only a few minutes away from the beach. In short, I would love to come back there again.
The pool in front of our cottage. awe-some
I just want to put my selfie pic here. no special reason :p
For those of you who likes swimming or diving, or partying at night, the island is perfect for you. But don't worry, for those of you who likes to do nothing, you can relax by watching the blue sea and the sound of ocean. It's a very relaxing day at the beach.
Or you can spend the day by taking as much selfie as you can!
Day 3:
We are heading back to the main island and we continue our journey to Kuta Beach, Kuta beach itself is more famous for the surfers aaaand since we don't surf, we spent the day mostly at our cottage. Hahaha. I think that we already lost our energy and decided that it is legal to be lazy.
The view from Kuta Cabana Lodge, it's the Kuta beach behind that hill
And then it's time to say goodbye! Bye Lombok, thanks for the memories and hopefully we'll meet again ;)
Gili Trawangan is a heavenly place to die (okay, exaggerating). But seriously, it's a peaceful and beautiful beyond my imagination.
The moment when you say goodbye to the island from your plane :'(
