2 weeks in Bali/ Lombok/ Gili islands?

[fakeplasticgirl]

I'm flying to Indonesia for 2 weeks in september (I know, months away, i'm excited already!).

Has anybody been and what would you recommend? i'm currently thinking:

arrive in bali and spend the first couple of days near the airport as we arrive at 2am (Kuta? though I've heard it's a bit shit and over-developed?)
3 nights in Ubud
4-5 nights in Lombok (but where?)
3 nights on a gili (gili air?)

Has anybody been and do they have any must-see/ do suggestions?! We like chilling on the beach but not all the time, and not anywhere super-crowded if that is possible. would love to go snorkeling, but also hoping for some walking/exploring and temples and scenery too. And eating and drinking (on the cheap!) of course Can you still do anything volcano-related without climbing Mt Rinjani which i believe takes 4 or 5 days? any recommendations would be very much appreciated TIA urbs

 

[Ming]

Try Gili Trawangen. More specifically the mushroom pizza at Rudy's bar.

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

when did you go to trawangen? a lot of stuff i've read online suggest it's gone a bit shit there lately..

 

[Supine]

when did you go to trawangen? a lot of stuff i've read online suggest it's gone a bit shit there lately..

I was there 11 years ago and it was great. I imagine it's grown a bit since then.

 

[Ming]

when did you go to trawangen? a lot of stuff i've read online suggest it's gone a bit shit there lately..

It was Feb/March 2008 or 2009. I liked it. Stayed in the Vila Ombak. It wasn't that 'off the beaten track'...lots of bars but it wasn't over the top like Kuta either. If you want quiet isolation probably not the place.

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

I was thinking gili air might be a nice compromise... did you visit? hmmm hopefully i'll have enough time to see all 3 and then decide

 

[Ming]

You can't go wrong with the Gili's

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

Gorgeous Ming

 

[fakeplasticgirl]

2 and a half weeks until we're going now

have finally decided on Ubud, somewhere close to Mt Rinjani in Lombok, and Gili air

 

[purves grundy]

I remember dissing the Gili's in 1996, because I was so determined to go off the beaten track (ended up wandering around East Timor). Went in 2007 and loved it. I think they've changed a lot in recent years, deliberately aiming for a more upward clientele as travel in the region has become easier. And Bali, for all it's paradisical hype, doesn't have many great beaches, nothing like many of the southern Thai islands. Beaches get much better as you head east through the rest of islands but the Gilis are perfect so v attractive to 40-something's with money who travelled when they were younger. Especially now Bali is full.

 

[Ming]

2 and a half weeks until we're going now

have finally decided on Ubud, somewhere close to Mt Rinjani in Lombok, and Gili air

Totally jealous. You'll love it.