AN ISLAND THAT KISSED BY THE SUN

Lombok’s Triple Gilis “Trawangan, Meno and Air”

Another paradise in Indonesia 

Pic source: reezq.deviantart.com

Gili Trawangan is a small island located in the north-west part of Lombok island in West Nusa Tenggara.

Gili Trawangan or often called as Gili “T” is the busiest tourist destination in Lombok. And is attracting more tourists than any other places in Lombok as well as the other two Gilis.

Gili Trawangan is also known in several different names or ALIAS given by the visitors. It mostly called “an Island That Kissed by The Sun” which is true. This island is extremely Hot. It gets more sunshine than any other places in Bali or Lombok. It is very good for those who worship the sun. But always remember to put on some Suns cream or sun blocks before sun bathing to avoid skin burn.

Pic source: Indonesia Travel Guide

Other ALIAS for Gili Trawangan is “The Party Island”. Again that is a perfect name for this island because there is always a place to party on this island and every night is a party night.

Right next to Gili Trawangan is the quite Gili Meno and the stunning Gili Air.

Gili meno is the smallest island among the Three Gilis. It can be reach from Gili Trawangan using a Speed Boat or taking a local boat called Island Hoping which is only cost us about Rp. 15.000 (Equal to $1,5) per person. The local boat runs twice a day from and two Gili meno and about Rp. 25.000 per person to go to Gili Air.

Gili Air is the closest island to the mainland Lombok. The weather and humidity in this Island is more like in the Mainland Lombok.

If we want to explore the three islands in a one day tour, we can easily charter a local boat, a Speed Boat or maybe taking a lovely Catamaran Boat.

Here are the approximate prices for one day tour using those three different types of boats:

* Local boat : Rp. 200.000/person with minimum passenger of 6 people and Maximum of 20 people.

Local Boat

Pic source: Gili Paradise

* Spead Boat : Rp. 250.000/person with minimum passengers of 5 people and maximum 6 people.

Red Arrow Speed Boat

on Red Arrow

* Catamaran boats : Rp. 4.000.000 per day with maximum 6 passengers. Normally catamaran boats operator provide meals and drinks on board for some extra charges. Catamaran Boats in the Gilis are mostly facilitated with 2 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, water cooler, Fine-leather sofa on the cabin and of course a nice deck and a lovely front deck for sun bathing.

Cabin @ Golden Child catamaran

Where to stay on the island?

There are nice and expensive Five star hotels, medium budget hotels and super cheap hotels for back packers.

Here are the average rates for Hotels on the Gilis:

• Stars Hotels around $80-$250
• Medium Budget around $50-$75
• Small budget around $10-$45

It is always negotiable if you prefer to stay in Cheap and medium budget accommodation. Try to make a bargain from half price they offer you. If you are visiting the island around February to June, I believe you can get half price from the list above.

What are the facilities of Each type of accommodations?

• Star hotels in Gilis provided everything that found in Star hotels in Bali (No differences).
• Medium budget hotels are mostly provided a restaurant, swimming pool, a/c rooms, Satellite TV, Safety Box, 24 hours security.
• Low budget hotels are normally provided rooms without a/c but mostly with ceiling pan or stand pan, some has TVs.

Every type of accommodations has en-suite bathroom.

One good thing about accommodation on the Gilis, we also can find super cheap (Low budget) beach front hotels.

Where to eat on the island?

Hmm, this is one of the most important thing. The island is full of nice International restaurants as well as Local Warung that provide both International and Local Foods.L. The whole island even look more like a food market at night time.

What to do on the island?

If you like diving or just Snorkeling, The Gilis is one of the best diving area in Indonesia. And many other water sports are available.

Who mostly own the businesses on the Gilis?

They are mostly foreigners. So, every kind of services are meet the International standards.

Even most people who live on the island are foreigners. The percentage of total foreigners and local peoples is 55%-45%. That is the reason why gili islands also known as ‘island of tourists‘.

How to get to The Gili islands?

The only best way to get to the Gilis is by using fast boat. There are about twelve fast boats run daily from all most convenience harbor in Bali like Benoa harbor, Sanur, Serangan,Amed and Padang bae.

Currently there are two fast boat that depart from Benoa harbor. They are Redline Express and Island Getaway.

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