El Southeast Asia has landscapes worthy of Paradise and some of them are provided by the Gili Islands, near Lombok, in Indonesia. Lombok is also an island, it is part of the Lesser Islands, separated from Bali by a strait, so you can imagine what kind of landscapes there are around here.
The Gili Islands are a small group of islands located in the extreme south-west of Lombok and for a time they have been a large backpacking destination and people who enjoy underwater beauties.
The Gili Islands
The islands appeared in the eye of world tourism between the '80s and' 90s and since then they appear on that sort of map without a map named Banana Pancake Trail, a route of destinations for foreign tourists, mostly backpackers, that runs through part of Southeast Asia, making them fall in love. So much so that many of them end up settling with bars, hostels or beach bars.
Today in the islands there are more services than before so there are restaurants, cafes and bars and the best thing is that it is a very relaxed atmosphere thanks to no motorcycles or cars that break with the noises of nature. The focus is on the sea and the beach so people get to relax, enjoy and dive.
The Gili are hotter than Lombok and also drier but in the afternoons or nights it can be cool. You don't want to go between November and April because it is the rainy season although, it is worth knowing, it rains much less than in Bali which is quite annoying. Does the high tourist season? Well, summer, July and August, and December and January.
The Gili Islands are basically three small islands: Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. The latter is the largest and therefore is more visited and more "partying". La Gili Meno is in the middle of the others and is super relaxed, ideal for couples looking for more intimacy; Finally, Gili Air is the closest of the group to Lombock, the one that is most developed and the one that attracts the most backpackers.
The population is Muslim And although they are used to our western customs, it is something that you should always keep in mind. Nudism or topless is not allowed and not walking in a bathing suit outside the beach, for example. Luckily in times of Ramadam you will not see big changes because it is, after all, a tourist destination.
How do you get to the Gili Islands? There are no airports in Gili so you must fly to Lombok or Bali and take a boat from there. Garuda, among other airlines make this route. The ferries from Bali they are also an option. There is one that leaves every hour from Padang Bai to Lombok, it takes between four and six hours and is very cheap. From there two more hours to the Gili in a local boat of those that depart from the port of Bangsal.
Although Lombok is closer Bali is the best option because the services are faster and there are many that are direct. They depart from the port of Benoa or Serangan, just half an hour from the tourist part of Bali. Some companies even have websites to book tickets.
How do you get around the islands? There are no cars or motorcycles so there is only horse-drawn carts or bicycles. The animals are not in very good condition so it is advisable to rent a bike because the islands are really small. To move between the islands there are boats, cooperative: they work in the morning between 8:30 and 10 am and in the afternoon from 3 to 4:30 pm.
Tourism in the Gili Islands
It's basically about sunbathing and diving. There are many dive centers and schools for beginners. The islands have a lot of marine life including turtles of various species, parrot fish, reef sharks ...
Most of the diving and snorkeling centers in the Gili have been associated since 2000 with the idea of protecting coral reefs. There are 19 diving spots to see reefs, underwater walls, sponges, sharks or stingrays.
You can also do excursions of boat ride around the three islands or Lombock, but for many it is best to come to do nothing. Air and Melo are the best for that, just renting a bungalow that faces the sea. You can go for a walk, you travel the islands in just 90 minutes following the coast. Y If you want a little more party, the destination is Gili Trawangan it has more night life. I mean bars with live music and DJ's, for example.
In some places you can pay with a credit card but they will charge you an interest and where there are more ATMs is, obviously, in Trawangan. My advice is that you carry cash. On the other hand, the accommodation offer is also numerous, especially for backpackers. Gili Trawangan is also where you find the best quality of accommodation, even luxury, with charming and private houses.
Tourists who drink heavily are especially cautioned to be careful with locally produced beverages, for example the Arrack. It seems that they put something toxic on it and that it has caused quite serious problems among tourists and locals. If you are a woman, especially do not leave your drink alone or be too nice to a local man. There have been violations or situations that get tiresome when our No. it is not understood as such.
Obviously there is circulation of substances, hallucinogenic mushrooms and especially marijuana, but do not forget that it is a Muslim territory and that it is a crime to take drugs or carry drugs so even if you are on vacation in a place surrounded by foreigners you are not at home . And you don't like going to jail or getting in trouble with the police in this part of the world. Have you seen the series Prisoner abroad?
Finally, some health issues: there are mosquitoes but the islands are malaria free. Anyway, take repellent just because some cases of dengue have been recorded. You must drink bottled water since the running water here is quite salty and with respect to the electric current it is generated by generators, worth the redundancy, so there may be cuts.