Booked our trip today YAY

We're very very excited! Booked our trip today. (Some of it, anyway) - yay!!

Fly to Bali, then straight to Lombok, to Rinjani, trek up Rinjani for 3 nights/4 days, down to Novotel to recover, then Gili's, then whatever. Yay! We can't wait. We were there only 5 months ago, but it feels like a year

Still haven't booked the flight from Bali to Lombok, but I've looked back on some earlier forum posts and they were most helpful. Thank you, all...

Lozza

Hi Loren,

I am curious why you want to recover at Novotel which is secluded.

As long as you are going to Gilis, did you consider some place in Sengiggi? There is a range of options available for you there. My current favorite is "The Beach Club" for the location, the rate (probably half of Novotel) and the friendly staff.

During my stay in September 2008 I was waking up early but the breakfast was not until 8 a.m. but I was able to make coffee/tea and watch the sun rise from the verandah of my cottage.

Have a wonderful time in Lombok.

Josi

Novotel is a beautiful hotel and IMO the beaches at Novotel and surrounds are far superior to Senggigi.

I think Novetel would be lovely to recover from the trek, the beach is certainly very nice and so, so white - and maybe the plan is to do a circuit - from Rinjani around to Kuta and then round to Senggigi/Gilis. Maybe a night or two at the Beach Club could be the 'whatever' after the Gilis - agree with you Josi it is also a very nice spot, nice beach with good view of Agung on Bali and terrific sunsets - but not as white sand as Kuta.

Gemma and Karen,

If Loren skips Novotel, you two owe me two bintangs.

If she doesn't, then I owe dinners for you both.

Fair enough?

Josi






Pssssst Loren: I'll concede the beaches are white but my point is it is so secluded

he he Josi, you owe Freogirl & Gemma dinner! We stayed at the Novotel in August last year. When we were researching for that holiday, we came across Novotel and booked it straight away. When we got out of the car at the Novotel on our first day, we were absolutely stunned - the website didn't do it justice!!

So suffice to say, we will be going back there again in 11 weeks time (after the trek!!)

However, Freogirl hit the nail on the head - we're diong a circuit. Defniitely Sengiggi and Gili's. Maybe some other places too.... And yes, I will certainly look up The Beach Club straight after I get off of the forum! Thanks so much for the info!

Can't wait can't wait can't wait to go! We've kinda decided that Indo will be our yearly holiday - especially Lombok and surrounds... Love the people, love the kids. Awesome.... I envy those of you who live there, I really do! I keep dropping hints to the other half about moving, but no luck so far.... I'll keep trying though...

Anyways, Josi I'll have a look at The Beach Club now.

Bye for now, all

Dinner Josi

You know when you say

Quote :

Pssssst Loren: I'll concede the beaches are white but my point is it is so secluded

That is a plus to many people! It would have been to me certainly. even when I stayed in Senggigi I stayed in Bumi Aditya a 10 minute walk up the hill on an unlit path. Ahhh but that is going back.

In all honestly, I think how I look at it these days is- that Senggigi is for tourists and the mid range tourist - who want and need the services you can get in a resort.

Whereas Kuta is for travellers, who dont mind a lack of amenities and being away from the crowd - often surfers and backpackers. Novotel is great in that it caters to the first group but in an area considered mostly to be for the budget traveller.

Not to mention, wherelse but Kuta would you get a free police escort if you broke down on a rainy night miles from anywhere and have the police take your car to repair and bring it back the next day. People are so quick to complain about the police in Indonesia it is good to remember the positive sometimes too!

Gemma,

You won Now the challenge is when and where the dinner is going to be.

I believe I visited Novotel twice but have never stayed there. Then seldom I need a tan on the beach

I do agree with you about the friendliness of the Lombok Kuta folks. I cannot forget the help I got on a night with pouring rain with a stalled car.

Josi

Quote :

I envy those of you who live there, I really do! I keep dropping hints to the other half about moving, but no luck so far.... I'll keep trying though...

At least for us it is a shortish trip - bring on the direct flights to Lombok from Perth I say. Twice now airlines have announced they will commence, and twice now unforseen circumstances has stopped it. (Air Paradise and then the second Bali Bomb and their subsequent demise, Indojet and now the economic downturn)

It WILL happen one day and then it will be a short 3.5 hours from Perth to Lombok. Breakfast at home, lunch in Lombok.


p.s. Josi, if we ever manage to be in Lombok at the same time it will be cause for celebration. I think I missed you by 3 weeks last time.