In Reply to: Lombok posted by clarey on Wednesday, 21. July 2010 at 12:21 Bali Time:
Hi Clare,
We stayed in a homestay called Yuli's Homestay it's small with 3 rooms all new.
It's run by an indonesian woman called Yuli and her Kiwi hubby Mike.
The homestay is very good, nearly new with very big rooms and good lighting also a swimming pool thats just wonderful.
One of the best things about it is it comes with a communal kitchen that has a fridge/freezer and a one ring gas thingy for making cups of tea or a stir fry, all the pots pans tea coffee etc are suppled.
There's next to no shopping in Kuta, it's very poor compared to Bali with very little tourism but you can definately see that change is happening.
There;s a new international airport being built about 15 mins from Kuta and when that happens I'm sure the place will go off, It has the most stunning beachs and seascapes.
There's a new restaurant called Brule recently opened but it sort of expensive in kiwi terms but beautiful food.
There's other places to eat and drink with varying prices it's best to just eat around and you will soon find some favourites.
One of the nicest things about kuta was the kids they are really lovely the big thing for them is selling bracelets to the tourists there mums make them and it's their job to sell them 5000 rupiah is the going rate which is good because you can share it around abit.
Be a ware that if you stop to buy off one kid you will have them running from all over and next minute you are surrounded by a dozen.
I always make sure I have enough money for all the kids so I can buy one from each even If I dont particularly like the ones they have.
The money the kids make is a very important income stream to their family they are not so "in your face" as in Bali but sometimes I had to say SSHHH when they were all at it at once and point to each one saying satu satu satu so they understood that each of them would sell a bracelet and not miss out!
Dont miss the morning Market on Sunday it's well worth a visit they have everything from t shirts and cooking pots to fruit and veges, all at good prices.
It's a totally different experience to Bali so go with an open mind.
One thing to mention is if you go by air from Bali it seems that flights get cancelled regularly but basically you just hang out at the airport till the plane leaves, it seems that they dont go till the plane is full!
Hope you have an awesome time
Frazz