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Senggigi
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With a reputation among travellers for being spoilt by big money and big hotels, it's a pleasant surprise to find that the long sweeping bays of
SENGGIGI
are in reality backed by an attractive, laid-back beach resort. Although parts of the area are packed with hotels, it's perfectly possible to have an inexpensive stay here, and its accessibility to the airport makes it an ideal first- or last-night destination. Plenty of operators here cater for people who want to
dive
in the Gili Islands, but with the comforts of Senggigi. Expect to pay around US$45-60 for two dives, including the boat trip from Senggigi and lunch. You'll need to check whether equipment rental is included in the price. A PADI Open Water course will cost around US$375. Contact Albatross (tel 0370/693399), Blue Coral (tel 0370/693441), Blue Marlin (tel 0370/93045), Dive Indonesia (tel 0370/693367), Dream Divers (tel 0370/693738) or Manta Diving (tel 0370/693139). All have booking offices in central Senggigi.
Senggigi is served by regular bemos from Ampenan terminal. The most convenient place to pick them up is on Jalan Saleh Sungkar just north of the turn-off to the bemo terminal in Ampenan. Fixed-price taxis also run direct from the airport for Rp15,000. The resort is very spread out, so it's useful to have an idea of where you're heading; the southern end of Senggigi is just 5km north of Ampenan, and there are a few places spread out along the next 4km until the main concentration of hotels stretching for roughly 1km from the Pondok Senggigi to the Sheraton. Low-density development continues for another 8km to Hillberon. Bemos serve all accommodation north of the resort except Hillberon but they can be quite infrequent and many terminate at the Sheraton or the Pacific Supermarket. Many hotels on this stretch operate free shuttle services to central Senggigi during the day, and many restaurants offer free pick-ups in the evening. Metered blue taxis cost Rp3000-5000 from most places north of the central area.
Several travel agents including Lombok Mandiri (tel 0370/693477), on the main road, book
long-distance bus tickets
, and both they and Perama (tel 0370/693007) operate
tourist shuttles
to Bali (Kuta, Ubud and Lovina), as well as to Kuta (Lombok). Perama also has shuttles to Tetebatu. Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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Indonesia,
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