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Published: June 29th 2009
We woke up at 4.20am to catch our flight first to Surabaya, than a connecting flight to reach Mataram, in Lombok. Flying domestic in Indonesia can be very interesting. There are no direct flights between Jogyakarta and Lombok. So I had few options...with some very lengthy stop-overs. Have you heard of Lion Air...sometimes they take-off...and simply don't land properly....well...we had 2 flights on Wings, the low-cost of Lion Air. And we are still alive!
You board a very very old MD82....my guess is that is was first owned by American Airlines...as the seats were from the samecolors of those of AA....the plane was not only very old...the seats...well....I went down through mine.
But we did it...we arrived in Lombok and made our way to the Sheraton in Senggigi, 14 km away from the airport.
I've been few times to Bali, but never to her "little sister"...and it didn't disappoint us. The plan was to stay in Lombok for 6 nights, 5 full days. Three of them for diving, and 2 days for relaxing.
Diving around Senggigi is average, but the best is just 20 minutes away by car and 20 minutes transfer by boat. Three islands who
carry the name of Gilis. You've got Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili Air is more "remote" and target low budget backpackers. Gili Menos is even more deserted by tourists...and Gili Trawangan is the more "developped" one....meaning more "aircon" bungalows, and some 7 dive schools.
Whichever you chose doesn't make much a difference diving wise. As they are next to each others, you dive off three of the islands. And Gilis in diving...what to expect...easy, this is a great spot for drift diving. Meaning serious currents pushing you along amazing slopes. Nice corals, hard and soft...not much in terms of sharks...but a huge number of turtles on each dive...and a great diving experience ( and this is coming from a pretty spoiled diver!).
So...first and best thing...Ma'ri is now PADI advanced open water. After 5 dives with Jose, her french dive instructor...she made it. This included a night dive that I didn't do from the Senggigi beach, where she saw a frog fish as well as a crocodile fish...and many other fishes.
Each time, while we were diving, Leslie came with us on the diving boat from where he enjoyed snorkeling. And yes, he saw
many tutles over these three days.
We dove with Dream Divers. An operation owned by a german guy. Great organization, and great food at the dive club... what a great way to enjoy a break between 2 dives.
We didn't do much in Lombok. Time was spent going to little restaurants around the empty beach and main street...guess the tourists did not make there way here yet in high numbers...cool for us!
We could have done some trekking, climb a volcano or gone waterfalls hunting...but we where already so busy that not that many regrets.
And than, came our last transfer from the Gilis...well...flying was nothing...the diving boat was overloaded with too many people...and the waves started to be way too high....we sincerely avoided a last minute catastrophe as one more wave could have sinked the boat 400 meters from shore! 10 people getting hold of whatever they could to get the 30cm of water out of the boat...using even our fins...But we made it, completel soaked, little scared...but safe.
Tomorrow is another island, and another entry in a few days time..till there, be safe, with love from 3 of us!
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AnnaAdventuring
Anna Louise
Stunning photos - looks like you found a little bit of paradise!