I’m on Gili Meno, one of the islands off the coast of Lombok. They do have WiFi here in two spots I’ve discovered which is slow and expensive. If you are reading this, I was able to get a message out with a few photo’s.
I left Ubud last Saturday morning on a shuttle bus at 6:30, which arrived to pick me up near 7:00 am. Once again reminded that a schedule here means little, I settled back for the journey. Several more stops to pick up people at hotel’s and we turned toward Padangbai, our departure port.
Our bus stopped at a restaurant there with a ticket desk and about 25 other people waiting to board. Eventually, we all boarded the boat and headed off in flat water and nice conditions. Twenty minutes later, the waves grew, the boat slowed as it was tossed and pitched around. Shortly, all windows were shut to keep out the rain and splashing waves. The plastic bags came out in abundance as people were getting sick. Between the rough seas, stuffy conditions and fumes from the gas tanks, it was quite unpleasant. We were scheduled to arrive to the first island at 10:30, we arrived after noon!
The large baot stopped off the coast of Gili Meno where I transferred to a small boat and was carried to shore. It started raining heavier. Ducking under the shelter by the jetty, I parked my bag, ordered something to eat and visited with a few locals. Remembering names for two lodging options, I asked if they were far. “Nothing’s far here” they replied pointing me in the right direction.
Even though few tourist are on the island, I found several places uninterested in negotiating room rates. It’s off season here. The first wanted $350,000 Rp., no flexibility, while the next stuck at $300,000 Rp.
I continued on down the path and had a “reverse experience”. The rooms normally are $300,000 but he offered it to me at $250,000 Rp. It looked nice, big bed, tile floor, good fan, private bathroom and nice large porch with chairs and table. It’s also close to the beach with a nice restaurant. I told him I had just paid $225,000 Rp. asking if $250,000 was his lowest price? “OK, for you, $200,000 Rp.”! That was a bit unusual! It’s the Kon Tiki Hotel which strikes me as funny. When I was 10 and in Disneyland, the place I loved the most was Kon Tiki. I don’t have any memory why I liked it so but I did even buying a small statue which I kept for years.
It’s a tiny island, it takes about an hour to walk around the entire island which I did yesterday. It took me over 3 hours to do it yesterday. I had to stop at the little Warung’s along the way and sample food and milk shakes and such!
Gorgeous views all around, it stopped raining and began warming. Today, I went out snorkeling this morning and rested in my hammock reading after cooking in the sun. A very busy morning indeed…breakfast, then resting in the sun, then snorkeling, then reading in the sun, then reading in the hammock in the shade and then WALKING to Warung YaYa for lunch. Whew, I was tired!
I’ll be on the islands another four or five days, probably not just this one. Tomorrow, I may go to Gili Air which looks close enough to swim to. It’s got the largest local village population and probably better snorkeling. I may go to Gili Trawangan as well for a night or two before departing for Bali. It has a reputation as a noisy party island yet I met two woman who arrived today and really loved their experience there for a couple nights. The only way I’ll know personally is go visit. Of course, I’m on vacation and might decide to simply stay put here and not move at all?
New friends daily here! Dinner with Van from Vietnam originally and now she’s a surgeon in New York. David (who’s blind) and Mel from London who work with guide dogs and are very nice people. She’s originally from Sri Lanka. Gabriella from Australia, Inga from Germany, Stephanie-Toronto, Caroline-Montreal, a couple from Belgium Chris and Miriam….and lots of locals who have trouble pronouncing Larry which translates into LowRi.
When I get another chance, I’ll send along an update.
Ciao…..
Some photo’s of the island:
