Indonesia - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 288

tracks from the southern end of the
island, but be sure to return before dark,
as riding through the sand is fairly
hazardous. A walk around the island, less
than 3km long by 2km at its widest part,
takes four hours or less. he northern end
of the east coast is popular for
snorkelling: most people hang out here
during the day, and there are plenty of
restaurants nearby.
ACCOMMODATION
Prices are greatly reduced during low season, particularly
on the coasts. If you're staying on the north of the island,
and have booked ahead, it's worth asking your hotel to
send a cidomo to pick you up from the boat.
Big Bubble East coast T 0370 625020, W bigbubble
diving.com. Well-decorated and maintained bungalows
(with either fans or a/c) in the garden behind the dive
shop. T here's also a p ool, and you're right in the heart of the
action. Rp400,000
Edy Homestay In the southeast, a 5min walk inland
T 0812 373 4469. Neat, fairly clean rooms in a tidy
compound, with a/c and hot water available. Breakfast is
served at any time. Loo k at Maulan a (same price) across
the road if they are full. Rp150,000
Flush East coast, near the mosque T 0819 1725 1532.
Unappealing name, but charming little place with
presentable rooms, some with sea vi ews. Very clo se to the
mosque though, so not the quietest. Rp250,000
Gili Hostel East coast T 0877 6526 7037, W gilihostel
.com. Funky hostel with seven-bed, a/c dorms (each bed
comes with its own locker, power source and reading
light). There's also a rooftop bar, volley ball court, and
regular film screenings. Dorm Rp150,000
Pondok Lita Village T 0370 648607. A fine choice,
Pondok Lita has simple rooms set around a small garden;
they have fa ns and cold-w ater bathrooms, and there are
two with a/c. Rp250,000
Sirwa East coast T 0819 1724 6125. A row of small, basic
bungalows, some with a/c, across the track from the
main sunbathing beach. If they are full, consider Sagita
( T 0812 373 1832) to the north, or Emalia ( T 0819 1713
4470) to the south , which offer similar rooms for the same
price. Rp250,000

TREAT YOURSELF
Marta's Village T 0812 377 2777,
W martasgili.com. If you're looking for a
touch more comfort, try this delightful
place run by an Indonesian-British
couple. Here you'll find comfortable,
split-level rooms with a/c, minibars and
private terraces. There's a pool, and if you
book in advanc e they'll meet you off the
boat. Rp850,000

★

different country or region) and in a fabulous location in
the far north of the i sland. A cido mo here from the central
area costs Rp50,000. Rp650,000
Tanah Qita Northeast coast T 0370 639159 E tanahqita
@yahoo.de. A narrow limestone path winds its way
among colourful overhanging flowers, leading to five
modern wooden lumbung with a/c and four-poster beds,
and two “ba ckpacker” ba mboo versions with basic outdoor
bathrooms. Rp300,000
Woodstock In the northeast part of the village T 0821
4765 5877, W woodstockgili.com. Eco-conscious, 1960s-
focused complex of bungalows (each named after a rock-
and-roll icon and powered by sola r energy) se t around a
pool and surrounded by fruit trees. Rp600,000

4

EATING
In addition to the cafés and restaurants listed below, the
night market near the pier heaves every evening with
stalls serving barbecued meat and seafood; there are also
numerous low-cost warungs in and around the village.
The Beach House Southeast coast. The Beach House is a
great place to come for breakfasts and also a good
choice for barbecued seafood in the evenings. Mains from
Rp36,000. Daily 8am-10pm.
Gili Café East coast. Appealing place with breakfast
options (Rp26,500-52,000) from Israel, France, Sweden,
Mexico, Italy and the UK, as well as salads, sandwiches,
seafood and pasta, plus a boat on the sand that has been
transformed into a bar. Daily 8am-10pm.
Gili Deli East coast W thegilideli.com. The service may be
slow, but the coffees (Rp22,000/cup) and teas (Rp22,000/
pot) - the menu features a dozen varieties of each - are
worth the wait. Excellent wraps, panini, baguettes, bagels
and breakfast options too. Daily 7am-7/8pm.
Karma Kayak North coast W karmakayak.com. A
delightful spot on the beach with excellent, imaginative
tapas and mezze (Rp15,000-33,000), plus sangria
(Rp155,000/jug). From May to mid-Sept, this is the prime
sunset-viewing destination. Daily 8am-10pm.
Kayu Café East Coast T 0870 6547 2260, W facebook
.com/kayucafe. Top spot for a fresh juice, smoothie or shot
of wheatgrass, or less healthy cakes and pastries (around

THE NORTH COAST
Coral Beach 2 T 0813 5358 9422, E coralbeach_2
@yahoo.com. Simple bungalows just behind the beach
in the northeast, with a/c and hot wa ter available in the
more expensive lumbung. Rp200,000
★

Karma Kayak North coast T 0818 0364 0538,
W karmakayak.com. Excellent bungalows with a/c which
are well built, thoughtfully designed (each inspired by a