Archive for the ‘Traveling’ Category

Gilicat Milestones

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009

gilicatIn July 2007, a small company, made a large committement. Island Express / Gili Cat, ran  Gili Cat 1 from Padang Bai to Gil Trawangan – Lombok, to become the first company to  commit to a daily scheduled  service between Mainland Bali and the Gili Islands -Lombok.

Utilsing the shortest possible ocean transit between mainland Bali and Lombok, Gili Cat quickly earned a reputation for reliability and a professional approach to safety and service.

The company’s commitment was further highlighted with the launch of a second and now flag ship vessel, Gili Cat 11, in April 2008

Now firmly established as the premier fast boat service between Mainland Bali and Gili Trawangan – Lombok,  Gili Cat maintains a 97 % on time record to date.

On the last day of 2008, Gili Cat achieved a significant milestone

On December 31st 2008, Gili Cat’s international standard vessels and crew  surpassed a combined 2500 logged operating hours specific to the crossing between Bali and Gili Trawangan – Lombok. With a combined experience of 68 years in the marine industry, The 2500 hr milestone consolidates the Gili Cat Crew as not only the most qualified and experienced seaman operating this service, but also the most experienced crews specific to fast boat transits between Bali and Gili Trawangan-Lombok.

All Gili Cat Vessels are built, equipped, operated and insured  to international commercial marine standards. All Gili Cat Crew hold current certificates as required by the Indonesian Maritime Authorities to control passenger vessels.  All Gili Cat vessels carry complete maritime safety and communication equipment.

Popularity: 37% [?]

The tricky porters at Bali Ngurah Rai Airport

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

As a tourist who spends long holidays on Bali.

I would like to call the attention of the local authorities to the age-long problems that visitors must face at the international arrival area of Ngurah Rai airport.

To begin with, the free trolleys are stored at the very end area, so out of sight that the vast majority of tourists think the airport does not offer this facility.

The cunning porters read the labels stuck onto the suitcases and call the owners by their name inducing them to believe that they are their guides.

Once they have grabbed ( they work in pairs) the ”pray”, they stop at the first money changer and persuade the customer to change money.

The banknotes changed are always the highest denomination, that is 100.000 IDR.

Before the tourists actually meet the official guide the porters have already required a tip of 100.000 IDR EACH SUITCASE!!!.

If the tourist does not want to change, the helpful thugs are willing to accept 10USD or 10 E if not more.

Besides, there is a tacit agreement with the custom officers who do no check the suitcases escorted by the porters.

On the shameful behaviour of the custom officers, there would be a lot to say and will be said on another occasion.

The notice beside the conveyor which says that porterage is not compulsory and the price that should be charged is 2000 IDR each suitcase is almost always overlooked by the exhausted tourists harassed by these infamous porters.

I sincerely do hope that the Balinese Authorities take a swift action ant put an end to this disgusting situation that makes the Bali airport one, if not the most, unwelcoming airport in the world and give visitors the feeling they have landed on the ” Island of thieves “.

Popularity: 47% [?]