In Reply to: MERPATI AIRLINES posted by bagong on Wednesday, 20. August 2008 at 16:45 Bali Time:
I went to Gili Air last year by speedboat (bluewater safaris) which was excellent and cheaper than the return trip which I booked through the hotel which involved a boat to Lombok where a driver was waiting on the beach to take me to Mattaram and the flight was booked too. I had the pleasure of flying on a merpati Boeng 737 back to Bali. They handed out water and a sweet pastry as you walked to the plane. It was a bit grubby but flew and landed well with no problems, actually it was a smoother landing than the Qantas plane. If I went again, I'd go by boat both ways.( I love boats).
Gili Air was quite peaceful. I stayed at Hotel Gili Air. There is a good beach right out front of the hotel with a sand spit and corals. It has a pool and a very good restaraunt. Breakfast was included and consisted of tea/coffee, juice, dried toast and pineapple jam. It was OK, it filed the hole. The evening meal was great. The only downside for some may be the saltwater showers. The rooms were spacious with cable tv, aircon and verandahs so was quite comfortable. Snorkelling and diving are the more popular activities.
Gili Trawangan is more livelier of the 3. Gili Meno is apparently the quieter island though it has a little zoo which is supposed to be good.
There are shuttle boats that go between the islands but not sure of the frequency.
Have a good time