In Reply to: R&R in Lombok............. posted by Tommmo on Monday, 16. April 2007 at 13:12 Bali Time:
I agree you have to be a bit adventurous to catch the 'local' ferry to Lombok. They are dangerous, filthy, and unless the weather is good, a horrible experience. One of them sunk just over 3 years ago, no-one knows how many lives lost. It is a full day travelling, with a very early start - Kuta to Pandang Bai is around 3 hours, then 5-6 hours on the ferry, then another hour to Bangsal from Lembar harbour, then the crossing the the Gili. Not worth it for a 4 day trip.
It is much easier to fly, which takes 1/2 hour, then 1 hour to Bangsal and over to the Gilis.
Not ALL 3* hotels are next to mosques, but you pretty much will always be able to hear a mosque somewhere in the distance just about anywhere in Indonesia, except Bali.
My preferance is Gili Air which is quieter than Gili Trawangan, I prefer a more relaxing stay.