Originally Posted by
pogonation
. The reason I was attracted to Lombok over a coastal Bali area for the second half of my trip is because the beaches look much nicer than Bali beaches (on the whole) and I would like to visit the Gili islands for some snorkeling and perhaps do some trekking too.
From Ubud, you can get to Tulamben for some good diving, around the coast suggest Menjangam and Penida. Gillis is fun, you have to be young, read this as no police, mushrooms,I am here for a good time. best to take a fast boat from Ahmed or fly ex DPS if staying down on the coast. I have used Garuda for years, always reliable, did have problems with gung ho pilots and landings but that is all in the past, there is a different culture within there now. What people are expressing is that Bali is laid back, before you realise it it is 11am in the morning. The Ubud town is small and most of the hotels are over on the ridge and a good hours slow stroll into the centre, so it is very easy to waste a day or two. If you are adventuresome, you will be asked every minute if you would like transport, so price a day, over the Volcano down to Lovina and further along the coast. To give you an idea I will rent a car and driver for several days when I am in town, depending on distance and petrol the whole day shouldn't cost you more than 500,000, plus a tip that's about $60-70+. If you can afford a hundred bucks, a day out with your own car/driver, a spot of lunch and a good dive over a wreck is awesome. Your driver will park under a tree, and have a snooze, never a problem for them
