For those of you who are in Bali or have been recently, what are the going rates for bus/ferry tickets to the Gilis? I know Perama is 350.000Rp from Kuta, but I'm wondering if there are other, cheaper options out there.
Also, I'd love some recommendations for where to go. I'll be spending a week in Bali starting Monday, with no firms plans yet except to stay in Kuta the first night to get my bearings. After that, I'm looking for a spot that: has budget lodging options (~150.000Rp/night), has a nice, relatively uncrowded beach for lounging/swimming/snorkeling/reading by (and ideally, the lodging itself would be on this beach), and is social but not in the clubbing sort of way (as in, not Kuta, but rather more like hanging out in a neighborhood bar... on the beach.). This is to say, I'm not looking to get culture (I know that sounds terrible) or go on adventures, I really just want to relax, swim, read, walk around, and drink some Bintang on an attractive beach for cheap.
Does such a place exist or am I being fantastical?
Originally I thought I'd spend 3 days in Ubud and the rest of my time in Nusa Lebongan. But a friend recommended the Gilis to me, and if I can find an inexpensive way to get there, I might go straight to Gili T or Air and forgo Ubud since travel time via cheap means to the Gilis will take forever. But are there other options I should consider given my constraints? Candi dasa maybe? Seasoned Bali-visitors, please help!
Also, has anyone taken Perama's Bali-Bromo-Jogja transport? I'm headed to Jogja after my week in Bali, and was thinking about going that way. Any experiences?
Thanks in advance!