Blogs from Gilli Trawangan, Lombok, Indonesia, Asia - page 17

After a brief few days in Kuta on Bali (more about that in a future Bali entry), I ventured across the sea to the Gilli Islands off the Northwestern coast of Lombok. My tour leader in China, Arron, had recommended the islands, and I had heard them referenced for diving as well. The Gillis are 3 islands, but Trawangan is the biggest and is more built up than the other two. Don't expect a luxury resort though. There are just enough bars, restaurants, and places to stay to make the place inviting but not too crazy like in Kuta. I tried to make sure I had enough cash before I headed over there as there are no ATMs on the island. You won't get knocked over by any crazy scooter drivers as there are no motorized ... read more

Toissapaivana lahdettiin Kuta Beachilta kohti Gilin saaria, joista kohteeksi oli valittu Gili Meno, joka on se rauhallisin vaihtoehto kolmesta. Matkan oli luvattu kestavan noin seitseman tuntia, joka tiedettiin paskapuheeksi. Homma meni juuri niin kuin kuin kuviteltiin, joten seuraavaksi klassinen esimerkki hienovaraisesta kusetuksesta: Laivan oli maara lahtea satamasta klo 9 ja auto tuli hakemaan meidat hotellilta klo 6. Joten tunnin ajomatkaan oli varattu 3 tuntia. Satamaan saavuttiin klo 7.30 ja kuski sanoi: "Follow me to office!". Kuskin perassa kaveltiin ravintolaan, jossa turistit istutettiin poytiin ja tuotiin menut eteen. Tarjoilija sanoi ettei lautasta saa ruokaa, joten syokaa tassa. (laivassa syotiin myohemmin loistavat nuudelit...) Eli matkanjarjestajat olivat varanneet aikaa, etta ihmiset ehtivat syoda ravintolassa, josta he saavat myohemmin provikat. Seuraavaksi he ohjasi... read more

So once again we were back in Kuta and back in room 4 of the Bendesa. It was just a quick stop over on our way to Lombok. Lombok is an island that is in fact larger than Bali lying to its east, but is still relatively untouched by tourism. It is strictly Muslim, rather than Hindu, as in Bali. We had heard it was very beautiful and definitely worth the effort of getting there, but also to be on careful as it could be a bit more dangerous for the naïve Westerner. We could get there the expensive way by flying, or go on the public slow ferry. The ferry it was. As a tourist, we had to buy the tickets through a company called Perama, who pretty much have the monopoly on transporting tourists ... read more

Udon Thani to Gili Trawangan was not easy. From Udon Thani, an overnight sleeper train to Bangkok. The next day a flight (delayed) to Jakarta, Indonesia. We had an overnight layover, followed by an afternoon flight (delayed) to Bali. We arrived late, had another overnight layover, and another flight (delayed) to Mataram on Lombok. On Lombok we arranged a taxi to the port and then a boat to Gili Trawangan. We arrived in a heavy rainstorm, with our rainjackets tied over our rucksacks to try to keep them dry and light we walked in ankle deep water down the middle of the street until we found accomodations that would allow a couple of tired and drenched weary travellers. Phew. 4 days, 3 flights, 3 delays, 1 train, 1 bus, 1 boat, 7 taxis, 1 rainstorm. Priceless? ... read more

I dag sto vekkerklokken paa kl.05.30 og fire troette typer skulle gjoere seg klar til aa bli hentet av minibussen som skulle kjoere oss til havnen. Derfra skulle vi ta baat ut til; Herliche Gili Trawangan. Baatturen tok 2 timer og vi brukte disse godt til aa sole oss paa dekk. Gili Islands hoerer til Lombok en oy oest for Bali. Disse bestaar av tre oyer, Gili Air, Gili Meno og Gilli Trawangan som er den stoerste av disse oyene med ca. 800 fastboende. Det er ogsaa denne oya turistene velger aa bo paa, for saa aa ta dagsturer rundt i omraadet. Gili er kjent for hvite strender, avslappende atmosfaere, dykking, snorkling, perler og at det ikke finnes motoriserte kjoeretoyer. Gili Islands er et deilig og avslappende sted aa komme til, spesielt om en kommer fra ... read more