Lombok is a small island to the east of Bali which means 'straight' instead of 'chili' (which Javanese thought it was.) The airport is located in Mataram, the capital city of Lombok, and the island is famous (and filled) with thousands of mosques, to compete Bali with its temples.

So, with Moslem as the major religion here, people here unlike Balinese (who are Hindus) at all. The landscape of the island was still so pure with lots of paddy fields everywhere. There were only 3 temples of Balinese kingdom in Lombok, and no more temples around, unlike in Bali where you can meet those unique walls of orange bricks, statue with B/W checked cloths or a little squared leaf boxes of ritual offerings everywhere.

Lombok is such a different island from Bali, therefore the people, culture and atmosphere are all different. Don't expect anything similar with Bali's unique hospitality here. Lombok is more like Java in many aspects. So, don't act or wear clothes you usually can openly wear in Bali here. Lombok is a more discreet place.

Sasak, the origin tribe in Lombok, is a more tough and hard people than those in Bali. You gotta be careful when you travel, especially through the less traffic area, e.g. on the way to Kuta Lombok beach. There were more robbery happened. It'd be better if you come to the more secluded area (outside Mataram-Senggigi) with a local. 

When you are crossing to the Gilis through Bangsal harbor, you would be asked to go by cidomo (local transport pulled by a horse) and being asked to pay for the ticket(s) on the way to it. The rate for public boat to G.T. is Rp. 10,000.-/person (and are cheaper for the other two islands), but you would have to wait for the other 25 passengers to depart. If you'd prefer that time is money and wanna go ASAP to the Gilis, the charter rate is Rp 185,000.-/boat. So prepare your money on.

Lombok-Gili people have their own way to earn money. They'd seem to recognize the newbies and were smart to take chances on them. One of the guys who dropped us by cidomo followed us to the Gili by our chartered boat, carried our bags, helped us picking good hotel, delivered us to nice cafe, taught us to snorkel, biked with us around the island.. They were nice, though, but if you feel annoyed, you could tell them to just leave (usually by giving them some tip for the trip.)