The Gili Islands

When picturing Bali, most people get images of some exotic, far away place with beautiful, deserted beaches...something like what they disguised it as in the "Eat, Pray, Love" movie this summer I assume? Well, sorry to disappoint you all, but in reality Bali is chock full of traffic congested highways, drunken Aussies, littered beaches and all the KFC and McDonalds you can eat.


Since my sister had already discovered this let down on her first visit, we decided to stay only 3 nights in Bali and then head on to the Gili Islands for some peace and quiet. The Gili Islands are are a set of 3 islands off the coast of Lombok and are all only a few kilometers around in size. There are no cars or motorbikes on any of the islands...just horse drawn carriages that add a pleasant jingle to your entire stay. Gili Trawangan, the largest island, is the most touristy. We stayed there for 2 nights and then went on to Gili Air. And this is where I found my favorite place in Southeast Asia.

Gili Air is closest of the islands to Lombok, and from the eastern side where we stayed, you get magnificent views of the mountains on Lombok and Mt. Rinjani. Gili Air is not very populated either, so there was a very remote and secluded feel to our entire stay. It also has a great beach where you can rent snorkels and swim literally 25 yards out to a coral reef with the craziest fish I've ever seen.


Another reason to love the place- the people in Indonesia are amongst some of the nicest we met on the entire trip. Their language is not a tonal language like a lot of the others in Asia, so it is a lot easier for them to learn English....and they love to talk with you! Even little 5 year olds are running up asking you, "Hello! Where are you going?", So cute!

After spending 5 blissful days on Gili Air, we decided it would be a great idea to go climb a mountain. To be continued...