In Reply to: Flights to Lombok etc ? posted by Colleen on Tuesday, 23. May 2006 at 00:23 Bali Time:
Colleen,
There are plenty of flights to Lombok. Lion has 2 daily at 8am and 2pm (approximately), Merpati twice per week, plus one or 2 others.
Pre booking with an agent is painfull, you are only on the flight when you are on the manifest (ie at the airport and checked in). Best idea is to walk up to the domestic terminal (150m) from international arrivals and pay for your flight. Lion Air fare is RP280,000 one way, it will take about 5mins to book a flight and purchase a ticket. Departure tax is RP20,000.
Its best to get a return as you'll be charged a lot more by travel agents and someone will have to go and pick up the ticket.
When you get to Lombok just take a Bluebird taxi to your destination. Don't know the cost to Sengiggi but I was quoted RP120,000 to Kuta (2/3 times the distance) as opposed to RP170,000 by Kijang
Shopping I don't know about, but in general prices are about the same in Lombok as in Bali, although there are some accommodation bargains around.