The Gili Islands – The Seduction of Paradise
Find Your Paradise – Find The Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are exactly how you imagine paradise to be.
As more and more people search for their own little pockets of paradise in the world, new destinations are being discovered almost at every corner of the globe. However, by the time the word has spread to the willing traveller, the newly discovered paradises are well under way to already becoming massive tourist hubs. Thus making the idyllic paradise become a mere myth. Whatever your idea of paradise is, listen to the world when it tells you that its ready for you to visit it. Take that window of opportunity. Don’t wait, because what exists today may not exist tomorrow. Get that rucksack on your back, forget the what ifs, and explore whilst your dreams can still breathe. Don’t let waiting take your world away from you.
Discovering the Gili Islands
When we first heard about the Gili Islands we where in India. A fellow backpacker told us of a set of small Indonesian islands that we must visit. He emphasized to us that we must visit before tourism completely grips them. One of the most riveting experiences of backpacking is being given suggestions on your next possible destination. Once we had been introduced to the Gili Islands we knew we had to visit them before they got consumed by the tourism industry. Within 6 weeks we made our way from India, via Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bali to finally arriving in the Gili Islands. The feeling we got as our boat sailed towards the shores of the Gili islands was unreal. Surrounded by crystal clear blue waters, with the white sands of the tropical beach minutes before us had us feeling like we were in a complete dream. It was like something from a movie set.
The Gili Islands, Bali
Bali’s Younger Sibling
A cluster of three small islands situated between Lombok and Bali. The Gili islands are quickly following in Bali’s footsteps to becoming one of the worlds most popular destinations to visit. Like any younger sibling, the Gilis are looking to strive to achieve their older siblings success. Despite being situated closer to Lombok, Bali seems to be the inspiration for these idyllic islands. Each of them offer a sense of magic that heightens imaginations. Following in Bali’s footsteps to success, the islands also have the potential to follow in Bali’s demise of becoming a lost paradise because of the increasing number of tourists. Out of sheer luck in the timing of our visit we got to experience the islands at the right time. If you are quick, you could also experience the Gilis before they become ruined by increasing numbers of tourists and the package holiday industry.
The Three Little Islands
The Gili Islands are home to Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan. Bali is fast becoming the gateway to the islands, as it is only a two hour boat journey away. This close proximity between the shores of Bali and the Gili Islands means that already 80% of visitors to Bali also descend to the Gilis. With this easy reach it is no wonder that the islands have become a new playground for the Bali explorer, showing that time is not in your favor!
Three Little Pockets Of Paradise
Each island holds its own little personality. Gili Meno has this Robinson Cruso deserted island feel to it, popular with couples and honeymooner’s. Whereas Gili Air, has a slightly more inhabited feel to it offering a perfect location for backpackers and divers. Then there is Gili Trawangan, aka, Gili T. This is the party island, busier of the three, offering beach and boat parties into the small hours. Except during Ramadan when the curfew is midnight. One thing we noticed about the personalities of the islands was that Meno and Trawangan certainly seemed confident with the identity they had created for themselves. But Gili Air seemed like it was almost having an identity crisis. It seemed like it wasn’t sure if it wanted to be simliar to its deserted island sister Gili Meno, or if it wanted to be the sociable party scene of big brother Gili Trawangan. Was this due to the pressures to succeed from increasing tourism? Maybe the effects of demand and expectation are limiting Gili Airs ability to create its own individuality. Identity crisis or not, one thing it has certainly mastered is knowing how to ooze beauty! Nothing beats walking through Air towards the north of the island and stumbling across a tropical beach that you could potentially have to yourself!
No Vehicles
Horse and cart, Gili T
Incredibly the islands are only a 15 minute boat journey away from the other, making island hoping easy. Modes of transport on the islands consists of horse and cart. There are no cars or motorbikes on any of the islands. Though, we did spot two electric scooters on Gili Trawangan, a sight that proves that the islands are definitely changing. Once you arrive to any of these islands you will see why places like the Gilis do not need vehicles of any sort. If this ever changed then the magical, middle of an ocean, far far away from what you could ever imagine feeling would be dampened. They are tiny. You can walk round each of the islands within about two hours! You could take a bike also, but this is not an easy task in Meno where there is more sand than road. What is brilliant though, is to sit yourself down in a little beach bar and watch all the would be cyclists take on the sands of Meno. The obvious frustrations and odd harmless fall is definitely an hours worth of entertainment.
The Charm
All three have this addictive charm to them. A charm that instantly soothes even the most up tight of people. The fact that we could wander off in any direction on each island and still end up with our feet in the coral reef sand, being completely lost in the beauty of the ocean, was completely overwhelming. This is so far away from anything we have ever known! Coming from a Country nearly half the world away that is completely over built with concrete, to then standing on the shores of three tiny islands was surreal. Nothing can compare to that feeling. One of the most charming things about the islands, especially on Meno and Air where there is less artificial light than Trawangan, is that a night the Gili seduction continues. But instead of looking around or out towards the ocean for the beauty, at night the real secret is to look up. For the first time in our lives the sky showed us its stars. I know you can see a star almost anywhere on the planet, but not like this. Clusters of thousand upon thousands of stars so bright, so beautiful that they completely took over us. The magic of the Gilis, the real magic was starting to make sense. It wasn’t the boat rides or the bars or activities here that gave you the Gili experience, it was the islands themselves. All they need to do is stay the same. Stand still in time and not forget their roots.
The Obvious Change
Sadly the Gilis are changing. They are trying to evolve with the demands of tourism. With demands such as this, it is inevitable that the islands will have the potential to create their own demise. Take Gili T for instance. Already the more popular of the three and already home to more infrastructure than the other two. The vibrancy bring tourists here and the numbers are increasing. Gili T is at the point some celebrities find themselves at during their plastic surgery phases: one more change could ruin their precious looks forever. A few more buildings and the paradise tropical island feel could well be a distant memory for Trawangan.
Trawangan
The party life style of Trawangan works for now. Its a place were you can still have the tropical island feel during the day. Imagine soaking up the rays on stunning beaches or snorkeling off the shore in search for turtles. Then as night time falls having that hustle and bustle party feeling Gili T is famous for. Many beach bars with the club vibes are on offer, as well as live music and shisha in many spots along the main street. Its a vibrant atmosphere and one you may even crave after spending a few days on the quieter islands. After spending four days on Air and then a week on Meno we craved the party scene of Trawangan. We loved it so much that we stayed for an extra week. Its an addictive island, you can’t help but love it.
OuR Concerns For Gilli T
Our concern is that as more tourists crave the lifestyle Gili T offers they bring a certain expectation of a drug culture with them. As mushrooms are legal in Indonesia, shakes to get you high are available almost everywhere on this island. Don’t panic because actually seeing someone high off the shrooms is not an everyday occurrence. What is more obvious on a daily basis are the people who try to sell weed and cocaine to tourists along the main street. We were surprised by this as most narcotics are punishable by death in Indonesia. But as the Gilis have no police presence on them, you can understand why Trawangan is more relaxed in relation to a drugs scene.
When we were in Gili T we didn’t actually see anyone buy anything. However, after speaking to a local it was apparent that drugs are a popular activity here In time this is most probably going to increase. He local told us, “if tourists want to come here and use drugs then certain people are going to make money from them, that’s just how it is”. Then he said, “if tourists want to splash their cash getting high and do stupid things then that’s their problem, not the islands”. Our concern is that as more party seekers come to the island, the drugs culture could soar in the next year or so and leave Trawangan in a complete mess!
Gili Meno
There are even concerns also relating to Gili Meno. This stunning island really does make you feel like you are in a romantic Hollywood movie, stranded on a tropical island. It seems that Meno is happy for now to remain the romantic, couple island that it is famed for. But a few articles and online comments suggesting that Meno could become the Maldives of Indonesia. This shows that someone has plans on developing the island to Maldives standards. When offer of making loads of money surfaces, will Meno resist? Meno does not need water bungalow style hotels. The charm of the accommodations Meno already has on offer are perfect. The deserted beaches surrounding the island don’t need to become private artificial hot spots. They are simply perfect just how they are.
Imagine walking along a beach alone. In Meno this was a daily occurrence for us. Just us, the coral and the ocean! Truly magical, completely seductive and absolutely perfect. Silence on this island is breathtakingly unimaginable, especially when we come from a city as big and busy as Glasgow. This is a million miles away from what we know, yet it felt like it was exactly where we were supposed to be. It was like we were in a complete dream the whole time. Why would anyone want to change that?
Let The Gili Islands Seduce You
Lost in Paradise, The Gili Islands
What you have to ask, is in years to come will the Gilis still be able to create this feeling of being in sheer paradise? The feeling of being somewhere that nowhere else on the planet can make you feel? By seeing the potential for change, the harsh fact is that the Gili seduction may well one day disappear. But for now they are islands that deserve, and want you to visit. Whilst the Gili charm is still shinning through, you should take the opportunity to experience them! Don’t wait a couple of years. Do it now whilst they still have to chance to seduce you. Visit whilst they can make you feel like you are living a dream. Experience them whilst there is still that complete feeling of being in paradise at every turn. Live the Indonesian island life, or snorkel among the most colorful fish you will ever see. Better still, stand in the sand and breath properly for the first time in your life! For us, the Gili Islands has to be one of the most magical places we have ever visited, and we will be returning, and we will be sure to be returning soon!
Written by Our World Our Life Our Way in the middle of Indonesia
Update 2018
Since visiting and writing this blog in 2017, Indonesia suffered a number of consecutive earthquakes. This destroyed many areas in Indonesia and sadly took many lives and injuring hundreds. The area is still experiencing earthquakes today (06/12/2018), and has done so since July 2018. Please take care and be cautious when travelling Indonesia at the moment
The Gili islands were one of the areas to be destructed by the the earthquake, destroying parts of the islands, closing them to tourism. Recently the islands have re opened their shores to tourist wanting them to return. When writing this blog, we were certain that tourism would have a detrimental impact to the islands. Never could we have imagined the devastation that was caused by mother nature. However in light of what has happened, maybe this is the second chance for these idyllic islands to realize their natural beauty and this time control the tourist demand and influx.
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