Indonesia: Lombok & Gili Islands

August 19, 1995

The Gili Islands are a group of 3 tiny islands – Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air – in Indonesia, near the coast of northwest Lombok Island. Characterised by sandy beaches fringed with palm trees, they're known for their coral reefs just offshore. On the smallest island of Gili Meno, sea turtles swim at Turtle Point. At Gili Trawangan, the largest island, a sunken ship sits at Wreck Point near Mentigi Beach.

🙂 Sunsets, Whales.

🙁 Lost bag – but all found!

We were up early for breakfast and ready for the shuttle transfer to the 5 hour ferry to Gili Air. We were swamped by touts trying to sell us their accommodation. We chose a boy with a horse and cart who promised us 3 free breakfasts. We arrived at the location which looked lovely and the owner refused to honour the boy’s promise and told us to get on our way as there were plenty of other tourists! So we left and drover around in a baja looking for an alternative…finally found another place for same price but no breakfast – however, the sunset was simply out of this world! Realised that I had left my blue bag containing diary – but my Granny came to me in a dream to say that all would be fine, so I knew it would be. Met some lovely people and had a beer with them.

Up early with breakfast on the beach and met Dinah and Jamie who also worked for the BBC – Producer for News & Current Affairs – had actually seen her in the gym! We headed off to check on whether perhaps our blue bag had been found – irritating cart boy laughed at us …. grrrrr…. Paul took ferry back to look for bag … in mean time while Trent and I snorkelled we saw people waving at us – they had found the bag on the ferry and brought it for us! Bought him lunch and a beer to say thanks… at which point Paul arrived back after circumnavigating all three islands! He had seen a whale on way back on ferry! Enjoyed sundowners with the Dinah & Jamie for another glorious sunset. Divine.

Up at 07h00 and headed to Reef Divers on Gili Meno. First dive excellent and saw 2 sharks – coral not as good as expected but an enjoyable dive. Second dive we had a strong current so it was swift but beautiful. Met a lovely couple called Rachel and Mark from Hong Kong as well as another couple who had been travelling the world for 3 years. Paul joked and said that since they were from Texas, they had to be in oil to afford that – and that was an affirmative! Lucky them… so cool… Dinah & Jamie joined us all and we had an excellent evening chatting while the sun set and enjoyed a great meal and arak … the term arak is still widely used to describe arrack: Arak (or rice wine) was a popular alcoholic beverage during the colonial era. It is considered the “rum” of Indonesia because, like rum, it is distilled from sugarcane. It is a pot still distillation.

Blissful…moments never forgotten… playing in the sand and Trent communicating with local boys without language – this is what makes Travel so special.