senggigi-lombok
Christmas vacation is usually synonymous with snow and white colors that decorate every corner of our house, but if ever occurred to you to spend your vacation in one of the world paradise adventure? If yes is the answer maybe you can try the island of Lombok. Small Island in West Nusa Tenggara consists of two large islands namely the island of Lombok and Sumbawa Island has many tourist attractions, the location is not too far from the island of Bali, making them often compared. The landscape is still very natural and often in so-called paradise just woke from his sleep. Curious? For you who want to try backpacking trip there this story.
sengiggi beach
On the way to fly to Denpasar, I suggest you to choose the time that if you can fly landed in Denpasar when the sunset, Why? Because you will find unforgettable beauty while landing at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar. When almost landed on the runway west-east direction, you can see Pura Uluwatu companied with stunning sunset, also you could see the Kuta beach and Jimbaran. When the plane landed from the runway toward the east-west, you can see the Island Serangan (Turtle Island) from above and do not forget to order a chair near the window.
Now Arriving at Ngurah Rai Airport, you can simply exit from the airport to find a taxi or take a break. Why not use the airport taxi? That’s because the pricing is expensive. So, to find another taxi you walk a little out of the airport to get a taxi like the Blue Bird. If you do the traveling foursome, you will get the cheapest price. The cost of a taxi from the airport to the Ubung terminal around Rp 50.000 ($5-6). Thus, the four could pay only Rp 12,500.00($1-2) per person. Arriving at Ubung Terminal, you can choose public transport destination to port of Padang Bai, the cost is Rp 10.000,00($1-2). In Padang Bai, buy Ferry tickets with price Rp 35,000.00($3-4). If you want to buy supplies do it on the port or Ubung terminal, because the price of food at the Ferry can be two or three times the original price.”
Trips using Ferry Boat take approximately 4-5 hours (so you will arrive in Lombok in
gili islands lombok
the morning, the time is right to continue the road trip). In this long journey you have the opportunity to relax by relaxing on the deck of the ship, or a nap on the long chair. If you are lucky, you can see the herd of dolphins who were immigrating at this Lombok Strait. On the way, the ship will cross the small islands that are near the island of Lombok. Despite being a long boring in the boat, do not miss 30 minutes ahead before the ship docked on Lembar, because you will be treated to magnificent views.
When arrived at Lembar, you can directly Bangsal dock for the crossing to Gili Trawangan. There are two ways: (1) You can ride public transportation with a cost of Rp 10.000,00 ($1-2) per person. (2) You can charter a taxi with a cost of Rp 200,000.00($20-21). On the way to Bangsal dock, you will pass a very famous beach, the Senggigi Beach. Do not miss this opportunity, you can stop by here first for just took some picture as a memento. If yore’ alone, choose public transportation, if you go all four, better choose a taxi, even though it cost a little more expensive, you can will feel comfortable.
Having arrived at the Bangsal (about 9.30 local time) you can simply buy a boat ticket for Rp 10.000,00($1-2) to Gili Trawangan. The boat will depart if the number of passengers at least 20 people. So, you need a little patience here. And this is the cheapest alternative to choose from. If you want a more comfortable and can not wait, you can also rent a boat worth Rp 200,000.00($20-21).
The journey to Gili Trawangan is about 45 minutes from Bangsal docks. Before reaching the biggest Gili(island) you’ll pass Gili Air (the most densely populated Gili), Gili Meno (less populated and have a salt water lake), new Gili Trawangan (paradise for snorkeling). I need to highlight, at Gili Trawangan, Water, and Meno there is no such thing as motor vehicle other than a boat, so do not expect you will find a taxi here as a means of transportation. Also, ATM is also not there, so you should take the money.
Arriving in Gili Trawangan, you’ll see the white sand beach where the water is emerald green. Very similar equal beaches in Phuket, Thailand, as we saw in the Leonardo DiCaprio movie “The Beach”. You can simply look for lodging. Prices range from Rp 150,000.00 - Rp 500,000.00($15-51).On Gili Trawangan, you can choose a variety of activities, such as: reading novels while lying supine on a beach chair and accompanied by orange juice, cycling around the island that was just the extent of 2 × 3 km2 (charge Rp 75.000,00($8) per day or Rp 20.000,00($3) perhours), ride around the island with Cidomo (typical Lombok horse cart with a cost of Rp 90.000.00($11) per once around the island), diving (charge Rp 500,000.00($51)), snorkeling, or simply walk the beach, sipping tropical air.
I prefer to snorkel while photo hunting. Snorkeling, in addition the guides cost only Rp 75.000,00($76), you also will get to enjoy the exciting experience of coral reefs. If you want to without a guide, the snorkel rental price only Rp 25,000.00 ($26) per day unlimited. I personally choose the price with a guide because this is my first experience snorkeling. First I taught breathing techniques using a snorkel, then practice first at the beach until smooth. Not hard, it is important you know how to swim. After the workout, I just take to the beach in the northeast part of the motor boat. Arriving at the spot, it turns out water is not too deep, about 2 meter. But, the reefs view really exciting. Snorkel together a guide though somewhat expensive, because you will be taught to be, and you will feel satisfied after invited to snorkeling at interesting spots.”
lombok island2
Okay, satisfied with a 3-hour snorkel’s, I was so hungry and immediately ordered Chicken Taliwang and Lombok Plecing Kangkung. Incidentally my tongue, it’s really like eating super-spicy food, the portions are very many, so I ate a total of Rp 35,000.00($4). After eating I continued to bike around until the afternoon and enjoy sunset with the background of Agung Mount in Karangasem, Bali. So, after enjoying the sunset I returned to my lodging rental for Rp 150,000.00($16).
The next morning I prefer to continue the journey to various other attractions on the island of Lombok Exotic with motor boat ride back to the Bangsal Dock.
