Gili Trawangan is a small island off the coast of Lombok, an island the size of Bali just to it's east. There are many small islands (gili's as they're called) around Lombok, however Gili Trawangan is the most popular one. It is 8 km in circumference, and there are no motorbikes or cars, just carts drawn by small horses, bicycles, and foot power. There are no police on the island, and drugs are widely available (especially, magic mushrooms and marijuana). It reminded me of Caye Caulker, Belize. The small community seems to police itself, as a local told me the punishment for theft is a potential beat-down, followed by banishment from the island.
Most of the development is on the east side of the island, including all the dive shops which include attached restaurants and pools for those learning to SCUBA dive. I was keen to stay at Beachwind Bungalows as it was right across the “street” from the water. Linus joined me and we continued to share a double room.
It's not quick or easy to go from Kuta on Bali to the Gili Islands off Lombok. The regular (cheap) way takes a full day of travel leaving at 6am from Kuta, minus any unforeseen delays. As a result, it is much less visited then Kuta, and it felt as though we had the island to ourselves (this was especially the case as it was the rainy season). There were just enough people to keep my week-long stay fun and interesting.
Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. He’s been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger.
Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:
- G Adventures for small group tours.
- Hostelworld for booking hostels.
Japhy4
Tuesday 30th of November 2010
dude i love the gilis i am a expat im bali and i go there for vacations all the time. my favotire one is gili air its alot more chill that trawagan. lol i know all those spots in the pics. although me and my friend also love the abundince of marijuana there becuse it is the one place in idonesia where you wont go 20 years in jail for it.
jazz beard
Tuesday 9th of December 2008
hey i got back from gili trawangan two days ago so fab to see those pictures!i was soo pleased it was suggetsed to me as i found legian and kuta too crazy for me!too mnay motorbikes hahaah!trawangan wasa cool place!jazz
Dave
Wednesday 10th of December 2008
very nice! one of my favorite spots of my year abroad.
jazz beard
Tuesday 9th of December 2008
hey i got back from gili trawangan two days ago so fab to see those pictures!i was soo pleased it was suggetsed to me as i found legian and kuta too crazy for me!too mnay motorbikes hahaah!trawangan wasa cool place!jazz
Dave
Wednesday 10th of December 2008
very nice! one of my favorite spots of my year abroad.
Kango Suz
Monday 25th of February 2008
How awesome! A bike paradise, I'm totally in. If only the absence of motorcars and motorbikes was a frequent experience in the rest of the world....
Kango Suz
Sunday 24th of February 2008
How awesome! A bike paradise, I'm totally in. If only the absence of motorcars and motorbikes was a frequent experience in the rest of the world....