From Ubud to Lombok - report


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Posted by Riley on Thursday, 1. April 1999 at 18:17 Bali Time:

It occurs to me that my comments regarding the prices listed in the Lonely Planet were not completely clear. Although my copy of LP Bali was the latest issue, the price of almost everything has been higher than stated in the book; anywhere from 1000 rupiah to double the listed price. Take those LP prices as a guide only, not gospel.

ATMs: Plenty in Kuta, Ubud and such places. At least one in Klungkung, also in Senggigi, Lombok. The exchange rates have been best in our atm transactions, more than making up for the atm fees. You can take 400,000 or 600,000 rp (depending on which indo bank it is) out per transaction, and you can keep taking out money until you reach your home bank maximum (with transaction fees each time, of course). This was important for us, as we are heading for Gili Air, and the rates are supposed to be rotten on the Gilis.

We decided to charter a driver from Ubud to Padangbai and spend the night in Padangbai, the town the ferries to Lombok leave from. I believe I must have looked at 3/4 of the rooms available in Padangbai; every one was pretty grotty. The people of the town dmade up for this tho; they were outstandingly friendly on an island of friendly people. Not only friendly, but very comical; I'm not sure I met a single person in Padangbai who wasn't an absolute yuckfest. Our command of Bahasa Indo had something to do with this no doubt.

A hint on the public ferries. The shuttles one sees advertised all around the tourist areas are well worth using, particularly if one is heading straight off for the Gilis. The shuttles take you from most of the major areas, Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, to the ferry (fare included), have a shuttle waiting at Lombok to take you to the Gili transport boats. If you get off the ferry in Lombok without connecting transport already set up you will quickly be surrounded by the largest mob of the most persistent touts I've ever been mobbed by (YES, I've been to Kuta Beach!). It was unbelievable, like being pecked to death by ducks.

Speaking of touts and Kuta Beach, I would like to suggest that you all avoid having a massage or manicure on the beach. We thought it sounded so marvelous, but what it actually does is remove your only defense from the hordes of touts and hawkers. You're no longer a moving target, and the person you're paying will not keep the others away. My hubby was literally surrounded by women tugging on his hands and nattering at him while he was getting a massage. Not relaxing at all. Better to blow 4 bucks instead of 2 and get a quality massage at a proper facility. Bodyworks in Kuta was good. Milano Salon in Ubud was very good. Finally, keep control of your bag or wallet the best you can when getting a massage, lest a few bills crawl out of your billfold and get "lost." Please note that this didn't happen at either of the two establishments I've just mentioned.

A note to the lady inquiring about the Puri Garden prices, I'm sorry but I left Ubud before I saw your question to me. Check www.indo.com and see if you can book via internet. Its cheapest that way.


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