If you have a long holiday to Bali then a little escape will make your holiday even more memorable. The best option for this purpose is Lombok. Separated from Bali with a strait, Lombok is comfortably reachable in a short trip that makes even an overnight escape worth it. I would suggest at least two nights though.
Covered by the shadow of Bali, Lombok is less developed and therefore less crowded compared to Bali, however, it term of holiday facilities, it has anything needed including five-star resort hotels. And in term of holiday attractions, there are no less attractive than Bali.
If Bali has Kuta and Sanur, Lombok has Kuta and Senggigi. If Bali has Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan, Lombok has Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. If Bali has Bedugul, Lombok has Puncak Pusuk. If Bali has Mount Agung, Lombok has Mount Rinjani. If Bali has Gitgit Waterfall, Lombok has Sindang Gile, If Bali has ayam betutu, Lombok has ayam taliwang.
Main problem to those thinking to go to Lombok is transportation. So far there are three options, by air, by public ferry, and by fast boat, each with their own drawbacks.
Flight from Bali to Lombok takes a mere 30 minutes by small propeller aircraft. Not that frequently and only available at daylight as the airport in Lombok is not sufficiently equipped for night landings. Small propeller aircraft is a bit less comfortable and even horrible to some. And probably due to the age of the aircraft, delays and cancellations are almost certain. Price is rather expensive. With the same price you can buy an AirAsia ticket from Bali to Kuala Lumpur.
By public ferry it takes between 4 to 8 hours depending to weather. The ferries are quite large and carry vehicle as well, including large coaches and trucks. Passenger compartment is roughly adequate. Most complains come from the time consumed and in bad weather strong wind and soaring wave can make the trip a horrible one. In Bali, they are embarked from Padang Bai, about one or one and a half hours drive from Kuta.
The last option is popular in the last few years, fast boat. It cuts the trip into only two hours and embarked at Bali's main harbor of Benoa, only 15-20 minutes drive from Kuta. The operators also offer stopovers in fabulous tiny islands including Bali's Nusa Lembongan and Lombok's Gili Islands.
Accommodation options are available from cheap backpacker's lodges which costs less than $10 per night to five-star resorts operated by world class chains such as Sheraton and Novotel. If you are indulged by the luxury of private villa accommodation in Bali, you can also rent Lombok villas. Not as many as Bali but you can find one for every price range, from budget holiday villas to luxurious beachfront villas.
0 comments