I'm back in 2009 to Gili Trawangan!

~The story from 9 August 2009~

The weather was nice and I had such a tight sleep in a comfy bed last night. We wanted to spend longer time in our comfy bed and nice pool in Sheraton Senggigi but we didn't want to miss another adventure awaits in Gili Trawangan. We got taxi dropped us to Bangsal public port, it took around 45 minutes only. The scenery along the way from Senggigi to Bangsal was stunning. I didn't want to miss it...

We missed the 1st public boat from Bangsal and we 'almost' missed 2nd public boat that departed at around 9 AM. We were told by one guy in the ticket counter where we bought boat ticket for only Rp. 10.000; to wait in a place where some other people gathered but nobody told us when the boat was about to leave. When I realized that nobody informed us anything, I run to where the boats belaying and the boat slowly moved leaving the port! It was a funny moment when we raised our hands and talked loudly to the man on the public boat to return back to the port, thank God the boat returned and saved us :)
Otherwise, we should wait for another 1-2 hours and we might miss snorkeling trip in Gili Trawangan that departs daily at 11 AM! We arrived in Gili Trawangan after 45 minutes smooth ride, finally.... I'm back to my sweetest escape!

As we arrived, we walked in high speed to hunt place to stay for 1 night. We were lucky that we got a simple and cheap room in a guest house named "Desy", not too far from the central, only 10 minutes walking distance. We paid only Rp. 150.000/night for a basic room with 1 double bed, fan and sharing toilet outside. I think it could be much cheaper in low season but it's high season in August, some tourists even have to sleep on the beach because there was no accommodation left in this island. We didn't waste our time and quickly walked (again in high speed) to the central, paid for half day snorkeling trip (Departs from Gili Trawangan to Gili Air and Gili Meno at 11 AM) and jumped to the glass bottom boat with other 26 people. We were so blessed in this trip!

The picture above was one of the snorkeling spot in Gili Air, unfortunately we only had around half an hour to be spent in each spot and I needed more time because it was so beautiful down there..clams, colorful fishes, and beautiful corals were welcoming us. This spot was the last spot we visited before had lunch in one of the restaurant in Gili Air. You can see turtles in Gili Meno's spot, but I didn't jump into the water that time because it was too deep and I was a bit tired.

We returned back to Gili Trawangan at 4 PM, the weather was nice and we wandered around the island, made some pictures, swam, and tried Lombok coffee in one of the local restaurants on the beach. I surprised that Gili Trawangan was much developed now compare to a year ago when I came in March 2008. I hope this place won't be over developed like Bali and keep maintain its originality.

Finally after my 3rd visit to this island, I saw sunset in Gili Trawangan! It was so beautiful... Sitting on the sand, talking to the locals and just ... contemplating :) We didn't have to get to Sunset Point which located about an hour walking distance from this coral beach where we saw sunset! I'm telling you... I'm lucky :D

I had big barbecue dinner in the nite, yummy grilled snapper in The Beach House Restaurant. This place was crowded that nite and they served the best barbecue in Gili Trawangan :)

So sad we had to leave the next morning. Our journey was not finished yet, we headed to Bali from Gili Trawangan at 8.15 AM with boat, continued with minibus, slow ferry and finally another minibus that took us directly to Kuta area in Bali. Another journey in Bali awaits.

Gili Trawangan, always be my sweetest escape.


-Ita