The three Gilis
Island are a
small-scale
backpacker,
most popular
tourist destination.
The islands
are very relaxed
and laid-back,
with countless
little beachside
cafes playing
reggae and serving
up banana pancakes,
and no cars
or motorbikes
to disturb the
peace. The beaches
are without
a doubt better
than anywhere
on Bali or Lombok.
The flip side
of the coin
is that as they
exist solely
to cater for
travelers, they're
also rather
anonymous (you
might as well
be at anywhere)
and, aside from
snorkeling and
diving, there's
little if anything
to do. Note
that there are
no ATMs on the
islands, so
bring plenty
of cash with
you. From west
to east, the
islands are:
* Gili Trawangan,
or "Gili T"
is by far the
most developed
with plenty
of backpacker
options and
one swanky resort.
There are no
dogs on the
island but according
to one local,
there are more
cats here than
people. The
local population
is around 800.
There is no
police on the
island and all
problems are
usually settled
by the local
"council".
* Gili Meno,
the smallest
and quietest,
low-key with
some simple
places to stay.
* Gili Air,
closest to the
mainland and
with the largest
local population.
Strictly speaking,
the name "Gili
Islands" is
rather redundant
as gili simply
means "small
island" in Sasak,
but the name
has stuck and
is universally
used and understood
in Lombok.
There are regular
shuttle services
from Bangsal
on the main
island of Lombok,
stopping at
all islands.
The trip takes
about 15 minutes
to Air, 30 min
to Meno and
45 min to Trawangan.
Alternatively,
the Gilis can
be visited on
a day trip from
Senggigi, in
which case you'll
get your own
boat and crew
to take you
around. The
trip across
take 1,5 hours
each way and
is quite scenic,
if a little
bumpy when the
waves are high.
Available from
any travel agent,
figure on Rp400,000
for a tour for
two.
Note that the
sea is calmest
in the morning
and all transport
stops running
in the afternoon,
well before
dark.
In a rare display
of foresight,
all forms of
motorized transport
are banned from
the islands:
your only choice
is horse-drawn
carts, known
as cidomo, which
are used even
to shuttle around
diving gear.
However, as
the islands
are only a few
km in diameter,
it's entirely
possible to
just walk instead.
There are no
sights as such
on the islands
themselves,
but the excellent
snorkeling and
diving all around
is a major draw.
Sea turtles
are also common,
especially around
Turtle Point
just north of
Gili Meno. You
can rent masks
and fins off
the beach, or
contact any
of the numerous
dive shops to
arrange snorkeling
or diving at
choice spots
nearby.
There are regular
party nights
on Gili Trawangan
- the various
bars take it
in turn to host
the late night
gig (up to 4.00am),
to ensure that
everyone gets
together in
one place rather
than being spread
around. Ask
around for where
the party is
going on on
any given night.
Small but annoying
jellyfish are
common in the
waters around
the Gilis, so
wearing a full-length
wetsuit or surf
skin in the
water is advisable.
Tap water is
not potable.
Bottled water
is widely available
and some cafes
will fill up
bottles for
a nominal charge,
Mobile phone
towers ensure
you're never
out of touch,
and there are
several Internet
cafes on Trawangan
for feeding
your Internet
addiction. Printing
is possible
in a few internet
café's and you
can even hook
up your laptop
in some.
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