The exotic Indonesia is made up of numerous islands, although surely the best known worldwide is Bali, about which I talk to you in my previous article. However, I would like to tell you a little about my wonderful experience in the Gili Islands, which happen to be very small in size, allowing you to cross the island from end to end completely on foot. By the way, motor transport is forbidden.
HOW TO GET TO GILI ISLANDS
There are numerous options to get to the islands. The most comfortable and shortest route is to travel by plane, from the main airport on the island of Bali or from the island of Lombok. The journey takes less than an hour. There is also the possibility of catching the fast ferry, either from Padang Bai in southeast Bali, Serangan in south Bali, or from Lembar in southwest Lombok. The trip lasts an hour and a half approximately, I consider that it’s ideal just in case to take some pills for motion sickness. Both options are affordable for your pocket. I traveled on the plane and I remember a curious story, while I was in the taxi to the airport, the taxi driver stopped for a while to pray. It is very common, especially in Lombok, where the majority of the population is Muslim. I suppose you know that in Islam it’s mandatory to pray up to five times a day, heading towards Mecca. Of course, he hadn’t charged me more for taking the ride longer.
THE THREE GILI ISLANDS
The three Gili Islands are located northwest from Lombok, very close to this large island. They can even be seen with the naked eye from it. These are small islands, in such a way that motorized transport is prohibited and it can take around an hour to visit the island on foot from end to end.
GILI AIR: located closest to Lombok and the second smallest in size. It is also directly connected to the island of Bali and Lombok through transport, so I consider it a good option to start your exploration. Despite being very small, it has good infrastructure of cheap hotels and restaurants. However, this does not prevent the island from having wonderful areas of wild beaches, where you have the opportunity to disconnect and relax. Above all I recommend the ones in the north, they are a true marvel.
GILI MENO: it is the most virgin island among the three. It is an idyllic place for honeymooners looking for some privacy on its beautiful, almost deserted beaches. Unlike Gili Air, on this island you will not find so many parties, so if you come with friends and want to have fun, maybe this option is too quiet for you. On the other hand, there is no direct transport to this island, it is necessary to go through the other two first.
GILI TRAWANGAN: of course it is the most crowded among the three for its fun nightlife. It has direct transportation from Bali and Lombok. It offers tourists a wide range of bars and restaurants. Despite being larger in size among the three islands, it is still small and in a couple of hours it is possible to go all over it. Its name comes from the Indonesian word Terowongan which means “tunnel”. And it refers to a tunnel, created by the Japanese during World War II.
CURIOSITIES ABOUT THE ISLANDS
When I arrived on the island of Gili Air I noticed that there were a lot of cats with docked tails on it. At first I thought it was some kind of tradition in the area, cutting the tails of the poor cats. Nothing is further from the reality! It turns out that the island is quite small, the cats are what there are and in the end they begin to mix with each other and this is simply a genetic degeneration. So Gili Island cats are not abused, they just happen to be this way.
The Gili Islands became famous since the 80s of the 20th century, as a favorite destination for backpackers. Some visitors are attracted by the drug business. Psilocybin mushrooms are very common on the islands, it is a highly potent psychedelic drug. Although you should think about it several times before taking any type of drug in Indonesia, the Law of this country is very strict and drugs are severely penalized, even with the death penalty.
WHAT TO DO IN THE PARADISE
I suppose a good idea is to tour the island by bike, stopping to rest on its idyllic beaches with unique landscapes, and from time to time trying some typical Indonesian dish, such as fresh fish and seafood. By the way, Indonesian cuisine is delicious, as it reflects the variety of different cultures, such as Indian, Malaysian, Chinese and Middle Eastern, and also uses many species, which gives a great flavor to the dishes.
If the water attracts you, you should not forget to immerse yourself in it, both, to dive among the gardens full of corals, or to snorkel, which also allows you to contemplate the curious and abundant fauna and flora of the area. You will surely be able to see the turtles in the crystal clear and warm waters of the Indian Ocean. There is a wide range of trips that you have the possibility to choose. Although honestly, to snorkel you don’t have to stray too far from the islands. You can even do it from a beach, you will always have the opportunity to contemplate some curious fish that swims along the shores. Near the islands there is an area with a sunken sculpture that I have loved. It’s “El Nido” by Janson Taylor. Its meaning represents the circle of life and the aim of the work is to emphasize the fragility of life in the underwater world. Don’t miss out on this marvel piece of Art!
TIPS:
- Before choosing accommodation on one of the three islands, think about what you are looking for, whether it is endless parties with friends or rather some tranquility alone or with your partner, since each island offers you another type of fun. Then anyway, it is easy to move between the islands by boat, so you have the possibility of organizing an excursion so as not to miss any of the three.
- I recommend you bring your snorkeling equipment, it can be done perfectly from the shore.
- The Gili Islands are quite touristy, therefore, you can easily wear your bikini or shorts. Although for other areas of Indonesia I recommend you wear some simpler clothing for cultural reasons
all about eve`s journeys 