stark differences but sit in awe of each as they tower to the sky. Next make your way over to Parambanan and be amazed by the intricate relief sculptures you imagine lost in this day in age. An inexpensive tour from a local is well worth the time. If the weather permits you can tack on a hike between the two temples but steer clear if you are in rainy season.
Next stop is Lombok. Here you’ll find intense waves for surfing, unspoiled corals for diving, and endless rice fields for you to hike by. The main strip of Kuta in the south of Lombok is the place to be. You can find a variety of guesthouses and meals ranging from fried rice for under 1USD to the best Indonesian tacos you’ll ever have in your life at The Bus (facebook.com/thebuslombok), to a Japanese fusion sushi dinner you can compare to any major city.
A short drive through some rice fields and you are on the West Coast. The Gili Islands are three peculiar and quite perfect islands- each in their own way. Some come to dive, some to snorkel, some to party on the beaches, and some to relax at a bungalow far away from the rest of the world. There are a variety of hostels, hotels, and villas to choose from and to accommodate any budget - and there’s plenty to do from water sports, to cooking classes, to choosing a different spa each night for a deep tissue massage. Before you go make reservations with Gili Air Divers (giliairdivers.com) for some of the best experiences under the water that you’re going to find.
In just over an hour you can hop on the fast boat from the Gili Islands to Bali- which is a world all on its own. The architecture, dance, and festivals are unique from any place else in the world though you can pick out influences from cultures spanning hemispheres and millennia. Ubud is the cultural capital where aside from seemingly endless art galleries and cafés you can get your iphone stolen in the
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