In Reply to: Gili Islands Travel posted by XPL1CT on Thursday, 17. January 2008 at 13:38 Bali Time:
I have taken the fast boat (we got extremely wet - water thrown in our faces for the whole journey). It was very convenient, but I wouldnt recommend it for your sister.
If you fly, I would recommend booking for first flight of the day. Later ones are often delayed/cancelled, and youmight end up spending all day in the airport.
Boats from Bangsal can be quite stressful because of the extremely persistent touts there. Seardch online about another landing point that you can leave from. The taxi driver took us there last time and it was much more convenient, no hassle at all. WEe just got straight on a boat.
Boat prices change all the time. You if you bargain, it shouldnt be too expensive. Oftenm, at the airport, a taxi driver will sell you a ticket for the taxi journey and boat journey included.
One the way back it is easier - find out what time the public boats are going back, and just buy a ticket from the ticket office by the pier. Tickets are about 10,000rp I think?
The boat jouney is sometimes rough, sometimes smooth. Often it is rougher later in the day.
Bigger hotels like Villa Ombak provide speedboat transfer from Lombok if you stay there. I've never tried one of these, but it might be quicker and have less change of being rough.
Any questions, feel free to email me.