Continued from part 1 @ https://www.tripoto.com/trip/backpacking-sojourn-to-indonesia-of-pristine-nature-and-wild-parties-part-1-2-5b35b1e899678
Well, after one is done undertaking arduous treks, eyeing the komodo dragons and climbing volcanoes - no bucket list would ever be complete without a visit to the fabled Gili islands.
The tiny triplet isles of Gili Meno, Gili Air & Gili Trawangan constitute the archipelago of the 'lesser sunda islands'. A tropical enchantment of turquoise blue water & white sandy beaches - a perfect place to getaway from the hustles of fast paced life.
The isles are just off the northwest mainland of Lombok and a 2 hour fast ferry ride away from Padang bai harbor in Bali. The first noticeable relief is a total absence of motorized vehicles on the isles. Two options of wheels to choose from – bicycle or horse cart. Life is pretty easy going and sense of time is nothing but an abstract notion.
The Gili islands are pretty renowned and therefore a touted tourist destination. If you're looking for absolute peace and quiet, Gili Air, Gili Meno or the other Indonesia islands off the beaten path would be an ideal choice. Gili - T on the other hand wears a two pronged facade - water activities by day and a vibrant party destination by night.
The Gili Trawangan experience
So, I rented a bicycle and went exploring. Could see an invisible line segregating the island into two halves – one half for the party folks and the other half for the honeymooners / solace seeking crowd. Snorkeling, yoga centers and scuba diving are the mainstays apart from people just chilling on the beach working on their tan.
Quaint cafes & restaurants dot the island’s beachline and they’re inexpensive to say the least. 300 Rupees gets you a good enough lunch / dinner. A Bintang or Gin & Tonic would cost around 200 Rupees.
Time in Gili T is subjective: service in many places follow the notorious ‘island time’ - where 10 minutes would mean somewhere in the ball park of 30 minutes accompanied by a huge smile. Life is laid back and spaced out and definitely not a place for a restive / impatient traveler. That’s the simple beauty of the place.
Stay:
There are many an option ranging from plush resorts and hotels to airbnb's and hostels catering to a traveler's diverse needs. Personally, i'd prefer to alternate between resorts (solace) and hostels (energy) to fully avail everything that the island offers.
A British backpacker in Bali had recommended this fun hostel. The staff were super friendly, the crowd chilled out, and an abundance of entertainment. There came a point of hilarity when the cheeky receptionist called me a ‘permanent fixture’ of the hostel and afforded the honor of paying the hostel rent the day I decided to check-out.
Evenings at the Hostel:
Met some wonderful folks on the island and couldn’t help but realize that the travelers here were a tad friendlier and fun than the mainland – the resultant effect: plan of 3 days extended to 8 days. (In my mind, I thought nothing could get better than Seminyak / Canngu). Conversations galore and games throughout before everybody empties out to the clubs by the beach at night.
Night Life:
The island (the party half) is vibrant, ever pulsating and just never sleeps – no surprise of it being called the ‘party island’ of Indonesia. The best bars and clubs are all located on the long strip close to the ferry terminal and the predominantly nocturnal crowd hops from one club to the other in a fashion that imitates the wildebeest migration. A club is emptied out and another club is filled in - all in a matter of a few minutes. One just has to follow the herd and you'd always be in the midst of the action.
Bars / clubs to visit:
Snorkeling and Scuba:
I'd say there are much better snorkeling / dive spots in the other isles of Indonesia with respect to sea life than the Gili's. However, the abundance of sea turtles in the region right smartly compensates the deficit.
The north east corner of the island (Turtle point) has some quality snorkeling. It is advisable to rent shoes than fins considering the sharp rocks and corals present in the water. I had the good fortune to swim with a bale of turtles at every dive.
All good things must come to an end, and so was this incredible trip. Returned home exhausted but with indelible memories of nature, adventure and remarkable people. So long Indonesia - until next time!