Forget the hype about Aussie bogans and trashy Kuta nightclubs, explore the REAL Bali.
Lastminute lovely Angela gives us week 2 of her guide to exploring the Bigger Bali. Read week 1 of Exploring the bigger Bali.
Week 2
4 nights – Gili Islands (Lombok)
You will never want to leave! Speak to anyone from Bali and they will tell you the Gili islands are what Bali used to be – 20 years ago. It is serious island paradise, there are no cars or motorbikes, the only transport is by bicycle or horse and carriage (Cidomo), and you don’t need to stay in a five star resort to appreciate it.
Transport Gili Island style
It’s a one hour bus trip to Pandang Bay port from Ubud, then another hour on the fast boat to Gili. Be warned there are some extreme waves, so if you get sea sick take a plastic bag and make friends with the person sitting next to you.
Trawangan Port
The Gilis are made up of three islands Trawangan, Meno and Air. Gili Trawangan the biggest of the three is known as the party island, really it’s the only island that has other tourists on it, and where all the day trips leave from.
Soaking up the rays on Trawangan
The Gili Islands are all about relaxing
Gili Meno is purely reserved for honeymooners, and is much, much quieter. Gili Air even quieter still is the least developed of the three, only recently having its first ATM installed.
Gili Meno
A must do while staying on Trawangan is a snorkelling day tour, most include lunch and equipment and all guarantee you’ll see hundreds of brightly coloured exotic fish – you might even be lucky enough to swim with a turtle!
2 nights – Lombok
Only 30mins from Gili Trawangan, Lombok (Bali’s sister island) is definitely worth visiting if only for a day trip (the boat is only $1 AUD each way). There are two things most tourists come to Lombok for; the waterfalls and the trekking.
The slow boat to Lombok
To check out the waterfalls head north to Senaru. There are a few different falls each with varying difficulties in reaching them. If in doubt ask a local, or pay a visit to the information centre.
Singanggila Waterfall
If trekking is more your thing then you’re in luck, there are tours ranging from two days to a week long climbing Mount Rinjani. It’s the second highest volcano in Indonesia, and is active eeek!
1 night – Kuta
Okay it’s your last day in Bali, that means it’s time to shop! The whole trip has been so amazingly cheap you’ve got at least 3 million rupiah in your hot little hand, so hit the streets and barter like a local.
Kuta Marketplace
Fancy a pair of Ray Bans in every single colour? You’ve got it! How about one of those tacky yet must-have Bing Tang singlets? Done! Prada handbag with matching wallet, for yourself, your sister, your mum and your bestie? No worries!
Anything and everything you could want, you can get – it’s all obviously cheaper for a reason, but I absolutely loved my fluorescent blue Prada handbag for that one week.
Designer knock-offs as far as the eye can see… oh yes!
A great place to hit the hay after an exhausting day of hitting the streets is The Royal Eighteen Resort & Spa. Close enough to all the action without being right in the epicentre of all the hustle and bustle.
The Royal Eighteen in Kuta
A definite must is a spa treatment while staying at The Royal – a 1hr full body massage with foot and body scrub, chocolate body wrap and frangipani jacuzzi bath for $20 AUD ummm yes please!
Superior Room at The Royal
There is so much more to Bali, this is really just the tip of the iceberg when comes to places to go and sights to see – and don’t forget there is the rest of Indonesia too!
Just remember travel insurance, thongs, your bikini and a big appetite and Bali is all yours!