hey guys

Im thinking of going to lombok in june on my own, can someone break it down barney rubble style and tell me where to stay.

Ive got a book and it says get a ferry from sanur to lembar and then base yourself at kuta lombok. would like to get a motorbike and do the south coast.

Could I get a bike in lembar or is kuta better?
Is kuta the best place to hang out or are there better areas to set up base?

Im looking at cheap accomodation any recomendations?

The best easiest comfiest and least hassle way is via plane from Dempasar - cheap quick and as efficient as it gets in Indo.

Alternativly when your in kuta bali go into one of the many travel agents and haggle a package, some companes will give you a package from your hotel to hotel in Kuta Lombok - bargain like mad with them. If your going by local boat allow a day to get there. You can also get a fast boat - never used this though but by all accounts its more expensive than the plane!

Don't know how developed Kuta is these days but there used to be two reasonable lossmen on the beach front at Lombok, from these you could get a charter to all the local reefs/breaks or just walk out to the island that hides a wedgy right hander the other side and out of view from the beach. Guys gather round the front of the losseman ready to hire you a driver, minibus, take you to the village where you can get a small boat to Gropouk - You can also rent scooters.

Be careful when heading across to breaks west of Kuta, the locals aren't shy in stealing mugging or from what i heard raping. Its kinda like the wild west that way especially round the breaks of Maui, Airguiling and even desert point. Also many a scooter has been nicked or vandalised on Maui beach. In saying that tho i lounged/surfed/snorkrelled around there with my girlfriend at the time for days on end without seeing a soul.

Thanks for the info PR.

I will be on Lembongan in July and was hoping to slip away from the family for a quick overnighter to Lombok. Can only find Bluewater Safaris (www.bwsbali.com/) who operate a service from Lembongan but want US$122 for a round trip

Anyone know of other options?

I did a trip there 6 months ago! My advice is just take the plane ... it cost $65 each way and that was booked from a little "travel agent" in kuta.. Basically someone that could speak indo and ring merpati airlines. Very easy to do! The flight is about 30 mins. theres heaps of places to stay in kuta lombok starting at real cheap like $4 a night to the ducks nuts NOVATEL at $75 a night. I had a girl with so we stayed at the Novatel (in a word 'AMAZING') got looked after so good , she loved it, i was getting shacked, best place i've stayed in indo! Got some insane waves and a couple of very uncrowded sessions! Look and you will find... If you want some good info, once you arrive in kuta lombok ask a local to take you to 'Keyman" surf shop. you can get rental motorbikes there cheap and a map of the well known breaks.. Nice guys too! Hope this helps. enjoy