I keep reading that lombok is the way Bali was 20 years ago. I am curious what everyones take is on that? How many of you have spent time on Lombok and how did it compare to Bali?? I have also heard that lombok had better beaches... Any opinions on this? I had originally planned on spending about 3 weeks in Bali and then going over to the gili islands possibly spending some time in senggigi. Does anyone have any stellar recommendations regarding Lombok?

Thanks so much!

If there's any place on Lombok to avoid, it's Senggigi. I was there in 2003, and found it to be a tacky, quickly-built tourist village.

Lombok has a much different feel from Bali, heavily Muslim and much less-touristed. There is some excellent trekking on Gunung Rinjani, and the beaches on the southern side of the island are stellar. The Gili Islands, off the northwest corner of Lombok, are very popular among backpackers - Gili Trawangan with backpackers looking for magic-mushroom omeelettes, Gili Air and Gili Meno for those looking for a more tranquil setting.

I was there in Septemeber of 2004 and must agree with Felix. It's really different to Bali -- I don't think you can compare them enough to say which is better. Senggigi is an absolute shithole and to be avoided at all costs. The hawkers outnumber the tourists about 2 to 1 and you can't escape them except by going to this one bar that has a rope on the beach keeping them at bay.

I spent several days on Gili Air and found it perfect. Not much to do except snorkle in the day and sit on the hammock outside my room at night with a bottle of Bintang in one hand and a clove cigarette in the other.

Another place worth a day trip is the capital, Mataram. I spent the day there after checking my bags at the airport in my haste to escape Senggigi. If you looking for "authentic" Lombak, it's the place to go. I had the best gado-gado of my trip at a little place attached to a shopping mall -- no chairs, just plates on a bamboo platform with tame cats wondering around. It was also absurdly cheap as I recall, something in the 7,000 range. I don't know if Mataram would merit an overnight, but interesting nonetheless.

Lombok has a tiny amount of development / money compared to Bali. Also way less cars and motorbikes. It feels like Bali must have 30 years ago.

Lombok has large sweeping white sand beaches, few warungs, virtually no restaurants outside of Senggigi and the Gili islands.

Just north of Senggigi is some beatifil scenery, and I hear Tetebatu, on the southern slope of Rinjani is great.

South coast has Kuta Lombok. A dozen guest houses and about the same amount of bamboo warungs. Aprts from that there is very little tourist infrastructure on the south coast.