Gili Islands (Lombok)

I was on Gili Trawangan island in 2004, It is one of the Islands around Lombok, that was my last trip to Lombok but the best among my trips to Bali and Lombok. Actually It is undeniable that Bali is still a beautiful and relaxing place for vacation, but for me still Lombok better. Why?? Because I found that over the years Bali has lost its touch and now it become too commercial and too westernize. Lombok is still pure in its culture and tradition ...
...white sand beaches of the Gili Islands.

Lombok is still undiscovered paradise with lush tropical, which will attract every heart with fascination. I would describe the island as the only holiday resort where you may relax and recover. Plenty of glistening white sandy beaches are found on almost all of the entire island boundaries, but this is not all that offer, the smaller island to the north namely Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan ... more

I was on Gili Trawangan island in 2004, It is one of the Islands around Lombok, that was my last trip to Lombok but the best among my trips to Bali and Lombok. Actually It is undeniable that Bali is still a beautiful and relaxing place for vacation, but for me still Lombok better. Why?? Because I found that over the years Bali has lost its touch and now it become too commercial and too westernize. Lombok is still pure in its culture and tradition and especially for a scuba diver like me this place is a paradise with its underwater ecosystem.

Lombok has been compared to Bali and is often referred to as how Bali was 50 years ago. However the island is very different from its easterly sister in culture. Yes, the island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes Lombok the perfect getaway. Escape to picturesque mountainside landscapes to white sand beaches of the Gili Islands.

Lombok is still undiscovered paradise with lush tropical, which will attract every heart with fascination. I would describe the island as the only holiday resort where you may relax and recover. Plenty of glistening white sandy beaches are found on almost all of the entire island boundaries, but this is not all that offer, the smaller island to the north namely Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan and to the southwest Gili Nanggu, Gili Gede, Gili Genting and many others, only some of which are inhabited.

The people of Lombok called Sasak comprising 90 percents of the 3 million inhabitants of the island. Moslem is the dominant religion. the Balinese with their Hindu, faith are mostly centered in the western part, therefore temples and shrines are available and the Balinese way of living prevails.

It is always nice to learn a few customs of the area when visiting a different country. Here are the things you can do and can't do for an enjoyable trip in Lombok and surrounding according to the local customs:

Things you can DO:
- Use right hand when eating, accepting or giving anything
- If offering anything to someone do it more than once if they refuse.
- Try eating traditionally and sit on the floor
- Try wearing a sarong (both men and women)

Things you can not DO:
- Touch someone's head even if you are trying to be friendly or joking.
- Point feet at things, use your hands instead.

|| How to get there? ||

By Air: There are many daily flights from Jakarta via Surabaya, Bali to Lombok. From Singapore, Silk Air flies direct to Lombok 4 times a week.

By Sea from Bali: Ferry service from Bali - Lombok - Bali available 24 hours. It takes up to 4.5 hours from Padang Bay (East Bali) to Lembar (South West Lombok). Depart every 1 hour. Or like I did, With 3 other friends, we went to Gili Trawangan with the Bounty Cruise, It's a Catamaran boat with comfort aboard our 400 passengers catamaran sail from Bali (Benoa Harbor) to Lombok and Gili Meno stop over at Gili Trawangan every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. It's cruising speed up to 30 knots, sit back, relax and enjoy morning or afternoon tea and snacks while reading the daily newspaper or viewing our onboard video entertainment.
Bounty Cruise is equipped with state of the art computerized stabilizer and meets with Australian Safety Standards.
Economy Class: Main, Upper Outside, and Promenade Decks.
Executive Class: Upper Lounge Area
With this Catamaran boat, we paid USD. 4/person (Minimum 4 person)

If you take the flights or Ferry service, you will need to take an outrigger from Bangsal Harbor. From Senggigi Beach to Bangsal Harbor takes about 40 minutes by car. There are many small transport companies that promote transport to all the Gili Islands. The posted fare includes transport to take you to Bangsal Harbor and as well as price for a public boat crossing. Price keep changing At the time, usually the total cost is about Rp. 23,000.-/person. (Rp. 20.000,-/person for the ride to Bangsal Harbor and Rp. 3.000.-/person for the public boat crossing). For small groups you may be able to negotiate the Rp. 20,000.-/ per person price but not the Rp. 3,000.-/ for the boat which is fixed.
Here are some tips during the trip to Gili Islands:
1. Do not let the local porters carry your bags for whatever reason. These guys are usually tried to be gentle or act like a boatman crew. They often charge an expensive and unreasonable amount. If you have to pay, a regular porter cost is about Rp. 1000-2000/bag.
2. Do not buy any mosquitoes coil from some kids at the harbor, as they are trying to sell things at the highest they can. There are lots of shops on the Islands selling those stuffs with better prices.
3. Do not try to look at the things those they offer, and do not make any promises to say "maybe later". Those guys can recognize your face and ask for the promises.
4. When you returned from the Islands, many kids brings water to wash your foot. At first you may feel convenient, but at the end they ask some money. I usually give them some school needs for example pens, or writing book. It's better not to let them do anything to you.
5. Carry small changes to pay public buses or taxi. Call the taxi operator: 627000 (Lombok taxi) if you need to be picked up. If you have to go by private car, try to fix the price first rather than argue at the end of the journey.

When you arrive at the entrance to the harbor you will be set upon all manor of people trying to sell you passage to the islands. However the harbor master is located in a large building back 100 meters to the left of the entrance. There you can find the current prices for all boats, "scheduled" departure times and other information as you may need.

If you wanting to bring back some souvenir from Lombok? Lombok has great woven textiles like songkets and ikats that can be used as a sarong, wall hanging, table cloth and more. The design woven is special to each weaver and it is passed down through the generations before.

Lombok pottery has gained popularity and is shipped throughout the world. There is a wide range of selections and it can custom made to your liking.

There are many traditional handicrafts you could take back as a souvenir for example; wooden masks, baskets made out of ketak grass, wooden boxes designed with bits of shells, or other things made from bamboo or rattan.

That is a little about Lombok in general.

I, myself would prefer to on the one of the Gilis rather than on the main island of Lombok because for scuba diver, it is more convenience, also for non-diver it's more relaxing.

In general, Gili Islands are the three islands off the northwest coast of Lombok that are known as Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. These are the most popular of all the islands that surround Lombok which previously visited mostly by divers and have become tourist destinations. With lovely beaches that are surrounded by coral the islands now attract day trippers for simple pleasures of sun, partying, snorkeling and other water sports.

In the local dialect the word Gili means small island. As such there are many islands using the word "Gili" that are found off the north, west, east, and south coasts of Lombok.

Gili Air
Nearest to the mainland Gili Air is well developed with several smaller hotels and inns that cater to families, newlyweds and people looking for a quiet, remote retreat that is off the beaten track.

Gili Meno
The middle island, Gili Meno is the smallest and least developed island. It's ideal for those individuals who looking for peace, quiet and solitude.

Gili Trawangan
The largest, the furthest west from Lombok's mainland, most vibrant and extensively developed of the three islands, Gili Trawangan offers a wide range of accommodation from low budget to three star hotel that mainly cater to divers, snorkelers and their friends who are looking for a fun beach atmosphere.

On the islands, fresh drinking water is brought in. As there are no natural basins for catching rain water on any of the three islands, fresh water has to be bought in from the mainland for cooking and drinking. Furthermore since no fresh water on the islands swimming pools and showers use salt water - kind of sticky the first day but everyone adjusts after a day or two.
(Note: a real advantage of the salt water is that the islands are, for the most part, mosquito-free since mosquitoes do not breed in salt water)

Electricity supply is only available on Gili Air and Gili Trawangan, but a few places in Gili Meno have their own generators.
Internet rental are available in all the islands. Possible to make int'l phone calls on all islands.

Sanitation has improved on the islands. A Health center is also available with very simple facilities. However, always drink from bottled water or boiled water and avoid eating raw foods or salads from small non-reputable restaurants, because the water might not be sterilized.

As well the islands can be very dark at night as there is no street lighting, therefore I recommend if any of you plan to go there to bring your own torch (flash light) because when you go out at night and your hotel is some distance from the restaurant. I also advise to bring extra supplies as some basic items are in limited supply and prices, while not outrageous, tend to be a bit more expensive since all food and goods must be brought over from the mainland.

To get around the island, you will not find any cars or motorcycles on any of the islands because they are prohibited by the locals living there. The only means of transport are Cidomos, horse drawn carriages. On the islands - cidomos are the only source of ground transportation. Rides cost between Rp. 10,000 - Rp. 15,000 to go to any hotel from the harbor. If you are carrying a lot of luggage it is a good idea to use the cidomo as walking on the sand can be difficult with luggage. Cidomos usually stop running at about 8.00 pm If you go out to dinner and do not want to walk back to the hotel in complete darkness it is advisable to make prior arrangements with the cidomo driver for your return trip. Bicycle rentals are available too.

Here are some tips while on the islands:

1. Peel the fruit before eating; avoid raw vegetables except at reputable restaurants. Ice in restaurants is safe.
2. Drink always from bottled water and eat well done cooking food, unless when eating at recommended restaurants/cafes or hotel's outlet.
3. Stonefish are found on the coral reefs where they are camouflaged and almost invisible. They are poisonous if stepped on.
4. Also, be aware of strong currents while swimming or snorkeling. It is best to ask the advice of a dive master before swimming alone.
5. Jelly Fish is almost invisible on the water. It looks like a crystal/plastic, but very dangerous.
Some kind of jelly fish is making your skin itchy, and some are poisoning.
6. Use a high protection of Sun Cream. The weather can be very hot on the afternoon.
7. Do not leave any valuable belongings unattended at the beach while swimming or snorkeling. It's better to ask for a deposit box at the hotel where you stay.

Well, this time I will only write about Gili Trawangan which the local call it Gili Tralala, this friendly, party island is filled with locals and foreigners who look you in the eye and laugh with you - white sugar beaches seduce you to stay longer - just kick back and enjoy the sun, nightly beach parties and sea. and the peace is hard to beat.
No motorcycles, cars, or engines of any kind. Therefore NO Traffic jam *smile* Nirvana!

The main stripe is full of accommodations, restaurants, and dive shops. It has wide range lodging on offer - from cheap losmen to mid-range luxury resorts as well as a choice of restaurants and bars that make for a lively night out. However usually there are not that many rooms available and it fills up quickly in June-September.

If you are seeking a quieter place to stay there are bungalows in the village and towards the north. Most of the cheap accommodation are located in the Village of Gili Trawangan (not in the beach), but a few of them with old style building are still exist near the beach in the west and north part of the island.

The accommodation tariffs on the last time I was there are between Rp. 45,000 to 100,000 per night for a simple room with fan, to an air-con bungalows style with hot water. In comfortable resort-style settings at up to Rp. 750,000 per night and everything in between, depending on the seasonal price fluctuations...

There are dive schools available to cater the needs of tourists, offering complete range of PADI courses, as well as Fun Dives for those already certified.

By night, the waterfront comes to life as various foreign and locally restaurants and bars start to fire up, with fresh snapper, grouper and tuna, cooked over charcoal flames, readily available.

|| Nightlife ||
This Island is also known as "Party Island", where mostly young European find themselves "Lost In Paradise".
With spectacular sunrises over Lombok's Mount Rinjani volcano and breathtaking sunsets that illuminate Bali's towering Mount Agung volcano, together with warm hospitality of the Gili Trawangan residents.

By a tradition that continuous today, only one establishment per night can play music and host dance party until 4 am. Of the seven weekly venues hosting parties, the one most anticipated by tourists and locals alike are the funk house and hard music parties with local DJ's in spinning disks at Rudy's Pub, often crowded by young local men.

If wild dance parties are not to your liking, many restaurants and bars, including the Tirnanog - Irish bar, provide a range of more sedate and social gathering point for Al fresco dinning and drinking by the water's edge, this is one of the best island meeting point among the travelers from all over the world. There is also Blue Marlin Night Spot which is one of the crowded place to go at night with loud music from CDs.

|| Restaurants ||
There are many Restaurants on this island. My Favorites which I would recommend are:

Desa Dunia Beda (Different World Village) Restaurant: serves the delicate taste of Indonesian cuisine, fresh seafood also variety of French, Italian and International favorite dishes.

Cafe Wayan Bakery & Restaurant: serves great sandwich, home made pastas and various kind of Balinese and Asian cuisine.

Borobudur Restaurant: Special for Indonesian cuisine and hot plates steaks, in here I most enjoyed is the Tuna Steak in Black Pepper sauce (talking about it make my mouth watering :p).

Dream Divers Restaurant: serves fresh grilled fish and various kind of International and Continental cuisine.

Blue Marlin Restaurant: same like Dream Divers also serves fresh grilled fish and various kind of International and Continental cuisine.

Dive Indonesia Restaurant: serves International and Continental cuisine in this restaurant we enjoy our dinner while watching movies from DVD player on a large screen projector.

Villa Ombak Restaurant: offer International and Continental cuisine with elegant and 4 stars service. This is for those who want some romantic but expensive dinner *smile*

Living Room Restaurant: for this restaurant I would say great taste, great value and friendly service.

In most Tourist facilities and stared hotels, there will be Western style, sit-down toilet.
Apart from places which definitely cater to the tourist trade, you won't find toilet paper in restaurant toilet - so bring along your own, or learn to wash yourself with water

|| Island Day Activities ||
There isn't a whole lot to do on Gili Trawangan. Scuba diving here is a great way to meet people and see a little more of the scenery. The water here is really clear (30M visibility) and warm (30C). I only used my 3mm shorty wet suit. The only negative thing about the diving at the Gilis is that the locals have done a lot of dynamite fishing and have damaged a lot of the reefs. *grumble*
Nevertheless... there are still some great sights (fish, coral, etc.) to see above and under the water.

Yeah of course, scuba diving - gets certified - get wet - get down under and do it! Swim with a big turtle and you will know bliss. That time we dived with Blue Marlin Dive Center - they were so friendly, wonderfully professional and authentically personable. The staff and owners want you to have fun and see the world beneath us. It was gorgeous!
They have a lot of instructors and are very accommodating. It is entirely likely that you could rock up there and take whatever course you wish.

The only thing you need to bring is a swimming suit. One dive with all gear is US$25. They will give you a discount if you buy a package of dives.

There are many other options for an enjoyable holiday on the islands. You can rent snorkeling equipment, join a diving course, rent a kayak, go fishing, or take a glass bottom boat to see the magnificent coral reefs and fishes.

If you are not a scuba diver and want to see turtles, take a cheap snorkeling boat trip. You can see turtles there. Simply Beautiful! The glass bottom boat trip is available from all 3 islands and visits about half a dozen of the best snorkeling spots off all 3 islands. A good value trip which includes some beach time for lunch.

Snorkeling: While divers are able to regularly swim with black tip, those who prefer to just drifts in the currents with a snorkel, fins and mask are never left disappointed by the more than 6,000 species of marine life living just off-shore. When we came back from the dive, we always go snorkeling on the seashore, the water is amazingly crystal clear, just like swimming in the swimming pool with depth more than one meter I could see my own toes on the white soft sand in the water.

Fishing: We didn't go for this activity but according to the tourist information, fishing is one of the highlight activities on the islands. Deep fishing remains the best on north west of Gili Trawangan. They suggest you to carry your own equipment if you're not familiar with the traditional-style of fishing.

And since I spent most of the time on Scuba Diving I would write about the Dive sites and the underwater ecosystem.

There are lots of quality scuba diving operations on the entire island. The coral around the islands is good for snorkeling, which can be reached from the shore. See rays and giant clams. A must see: Turtles Point, Meno Wall, Shark (harmless) Point.

There are over 3,500 marine species living in the reefs and seas of Indonesia. In comparison to the Great Barrier Reef (1,500 species) and Red Sea (600 species), 25 % of all reefs in the world are in Indonesia.
The drop-offs, plateaus and slopes of the Gili's reflect a good cross-section of what Indonesia has to offer. Dive in and be fascinated by turtles, White-tip Reef Sharks, Cuttlefish, Moray Eels, Angel Fish, Ghost Pipefish and more.
Around the three Gili Island in the north-west of Lombok (Gili Air, Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan), are more then 15 different dive spots and there are new reefs being explored all the time.

Shark Point & Volkers' Golf Course
Shark Point, to the east of Gili Trawangan, is a popular dive spot in the mornings. This dive site consists of different levels (24m, 20m, and 18m).
In this spot we saw huge of Green and Hawksbill Turtles which they said are the "native territory".
The different levels are sandy areas with small coral locks - the variety of underwater life is large, starting with schools of Trevally Napoleon Fish to White-tip Reef Sharks and Rays in the sandy areas, ending up with Ribbon Eels, Leaf Fish and even Mantas. Surely we say all those except the Manta :(
Volkers' Golf Course is about 500 m east of Shark Point and starts at a depth of about 20m. It looks green like a golf course. Here we saw Sharks, Schools of Mackerel and Doctor Fish, etc.
The current sometimes is very strong.

Meno Wall
Meno wall, off the west coast of Gili Meno, goes down to depths of 18m. there are a lot of small coral fish like Lionfish, Soldier Fish, Gobies, crabs, as well as Wart Slugs and Nudibranches coming out of hiding. It is also called "Turtle Heaven" because of the many resident Hawksbill and Green Turtles, which we found all around us.

Air Wall
Air Wall, to the west of Gili Air, is a very beautiful wall that, due to the soft coral cover, shines yellow-orange depending on the position of the sun. The highlight of this wall is a coral block at 22m in where we found Leaf Fish (Scorpion Fish) make their "home", surrounded by shrimps, Pipe Fish, White-banded Cleaner Shrimps and thousands of Glass Fish. In the deeper parts we saw some White-tip Reef Sharks.

Coral Fan Garden & Basket Coral Garden
Also popular for morning dives are the two dive spots in the north of Gili Trawangan: Coral Fun Garden and Basket Coral Garden. In the first few meters I had the feeling of being in an aquarium when we were surrounded by schools of colored Fairy Basslets, Fusiliers, and Banner Fish. At the deeper part, around the big coral and stone blocks, there were Groupers, Batfish, Trumpet Fish, hiding Octopus and Bearded Scorpion Fish. The dive master who came with us suggested us to look out to the blue because sometimes there are Eagle Rays, Mantas or Reef Sharks can be seen. But we only saw the Reef Sharks :(

Manta Point
It's suppose to be the spot where the best chance to see Manta Rays especially in the rainy season, when the water is rich with plankton, unfortunately we didn't see any Manta, But even without the Mantas, we still had a good dive and saw Reef Sharks and Turtles. This dive site is in the south of Gili Trawangan.

Well that was it. Yeah I know it's too good to be truth!!!
 

...less