Don't forget the rip off taxes!
by Loops
You have to pay to enter the country and then again to get out! I wish they'd at least get rid of the airport tax as Thailand have now done and incorporate it into the flight costs.
But basically on entry it costs you US$10 for a 7 day visa............but wait - more rip offs yet to come - you're staying for 7 nights "oh no madam, sorry that's 8 days and therefore you have to pay the US$25 visa"!!!!!
total scam
And then when leaving it's IDR 100,000 per person airport tax (international for Lombok at the time of writing). But not all airports charge the same - so check if you're going to other places by air in Indonesia - it's less if you're leaving on a domestic flight but on an international it could be IDR 75,000 or as much as IDR 150,000.
Scuba Dive- Gili Trawangan
by TravelSimone
There isn't a whole lot to do on Gili Trawangan. Scuba diving here is a great way to meet people and see a little more of the scenery. The water here is really clear (30M visibility) and warm (30C). You only need a 3mm shorty wet suit. The only negative thing about diving the Gili's is that the locals have done a lot of dynamite fishing and have damaged a lot of the reefs. Nevertheless... there are still some great sights (fish, coral, etc.) to see above and under the water. Blue Marlin Dive Center is the center with which to dive! They are so friendly. They have a lot of instructors and are very accommodating. It is entirely likely that you could rock up there and take whatever course you wish. The only thing you need to bring is a swimming suit. One dive with all gear is US$25. They will give you a discount if you buy a package of dives.
The Kapok (or Silk Cotton) Tree
by xuessium
Latin name: Ceiba pentandra
Common name: Kapok tree, Silk cotton tree, Java Cotton, Java Kapok, Ceiba de lana, Bois coton, Kapokier, Pacae, Sumauma & Kankantri
Family: Malvaceae
A very large majestic tree, with a conspicuously buttressed trunk. The Kapok tree grows more than 60-70 feets' tall: with widely spreading branches. The trunk can become more than 9' in diameter. The silk cotton tree is deciduous and all the leaves are shed during the dry season. While still on the tree, the fruits (pods) burst open exposing the cotton-like substance, harvested as kapok (heavily cultivated in Java for it) - a fluffy, yellowish fibre that is a mix of lignin and cellulose. The fibre is light, very buoyant, resilient, highly flammable and resistant to water. It cannot be spun but is used as a filling for bedding and upholstery, and for insulation. It was previously much used in life jackets and similar devices. The fibre has been largely replaced by man-made materials. The small, brown seeds, inbetted within the fluffy kapok, are blown away in the wind for many miles. The seeds produce an oil used in soap and that can be used as fertilizer.
It is a sacred symbol in Maya mythology.
You can find this fascinating tree along the main beach front on Gili Trawangan.
Pony not on the menu!
by Loops about The Beach House, Gili Trawangan
This place is right along the main strip of Gili Trawangan with people and ponies trotting past on one side and the sea lapping against the beach on the other so it's a good place for both views and people watching, almost at the same time.
We popped in for lunch while on a snorkelling trip and found the food to be OK and the prices to be very reasonable.
There are loads of restaurants along this strip and they all seem to do quite similar food so I guess it's just a case of trying most of them if you're staying over here and finding the one you like best. Food we had - chicken curry which was quite tasty, nasi goreng and tom yam soup (which both could have been better) and the children had pasta dishes which they really enjoyed, so it seems as if they do the foreign food better than the Indonesian!
Activities at the Gili Island
by Desy03
Just hang out and relax on your vacation or keep busy with one of the many activities on Lombok.
Rinjani Country Club is situated 500 meters above sea level. It has an 18 hole standard course with a club house, personal villas, swimming pool, pro shop and coffee shop. It is located 35 kilometers from Senggigi beach.
Lombok Kosaido Golf, located in Sira Beach Tanjung, 45km from Senggigi area. The setting is perfect, overlooking the Gili Islands under Palm trees.
Fishing
Rent an outrigger boat and go fishing off the coast of south Lombok or around the Gili islands. You can bring your own equipment but most tour operations provides it.
Snorkeling & Diving
The Gili Islands is where everyone goes to dive and snorkel. Clear blue-green waters with abundant undersea life. There are many professional dive shops on the Gili’s with certified dive masters. The most popular ones are Blue Marlin, Dream Divers, and Reefseekers on Gili Air. Other dive shops are Trawangan Dive, Dive Indonesia, Blue Coral, and Manta Dive. Trips are from experienced to beginners.
Bicyling
Explore the countrysides of northern Lombok by bicycle. Feel for yourself the local life as you wander pass rice fields, explore the village marketplace, and enjoy the view of the ocean with the Gili Islands in the distance.
Trekking
Mt. Rinjani is one of the largest mountains in Indonesia. On a clear day you can see break taking views from the summit. There is a crater lake,Segara Anak and a natural hot springs there. The trek usually takes about three days and it is advised to go with an experienced guide. Dont forget to bring food, transport, water and your trek equipment.
Surfing
People usually head out to south Lombok for the best waves. Kuta Beach Lombok has white sandy beaches with good reef breaks. You need to take a boat to reach most spots. Another famous surfing spot is Bangko bangko, or known by most surfers as "Desert Point".
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Look over the pool
the porter carrying our things
Interior
The Sign
