The Lombok Lowdown

BEACH DISCOVERY: This fun lefthander can be found nearby the lodge on Lombok. Photo Bertish

After a four-hour "gila gila" (crazy) ferry ride across to Lembar, we took another hour to disembark, with a broken truck blocking the entire fleet of vehicles getting off the ferry.

Then of course, a two and a half hour hell ride awaited us, in the dark heading for Tawang Bay. It was all a bit helter skelter as we made our way along mad gravel roads through villages and mangroves, avoiding goats, kids, scooters, feral dogs and wild scooter drivers all over the show.

But on arrival, the "Mie Goreng" was hot and the Bintangs icy cold. Our lodge was tranquil and quiet, and the beach that greeted us the next day made up for it all!

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WAVESCAPE SPECIAL

The biggest hassle about surf travel is trying to fit everyone's needs into one trip. Everyone wants to surf different kinds of waves. Some don't surf. Some want to snorkel or go whale watching or take cultural tours. Luxury is nice some times, but not all the time. A pondok with wooden rafters and palm roof can also be kiff. A swimming pool for some, good fishing for others. Good food, or massages on tap?

How do you find these all-in-one places without wasting tons of cash and time? Greg Bertish has come up with special consultancy packages (by email, phone, face to face or combinations thereof), and if you book through True Blue Travel, he waives the fee.

Wavescape and the Surf Travel Guru are giving readers 10% off all consultancy packages. Click here and insert wavescape in the "coupon" field at checkout, or enquire here.