Basic HTML Version
24 | FireFlyz
get
away
L
azing
on white-sand
beaches. Staring into
clear blue skies. Enjoying
a leisurely dip in azure
blue melting into emerald
green waters. These are
not merely guilty plea-
sures, but mandatory pastimes which I
had indulged in Gili Trawangan, located
northwest of Lombok, Indonesia. The
island’s rustic charm and languid pace
is a balm for anyone’s frazzled nerves.
Trawangan is the largest of three Gili
islands, including Air and Meno — all
within close proximity of each other.
These popular getaways are easily acces-
sible via a two-hour boat ride from Bali
or 30 minutes from Lombok.
Marine Ecosystem
On arriving at Trawangan, I quickly
noticed the absence of motorised vehicles
— good riddance! Pony cart rides known
as
cidomos
and bicycles for rental are
available instead, but I managed to ex-
plore the entire island on foot within four
hours. Much of my time was also spent
lying on pristine beaches, enjoying the
soothing sounds of crashing waves, and
dipping my feet in the shallow coastal
parts — it was all about taking it easy.
As I cannot swim, activities such
as diving and snorkelling were not in
my list of things to do. Trawangan’s
deep waters, teeming with marine life,
such as sharks, turtles, giant clams and
magnificent coral reefs, attract hordes of
diving and snorkelling enthusiasts on a
regular basis. Many dive companies are
available here, and amateurs keen on
learning diving or snorkelling can enrol
at the acclaimed Gili Divers or Lutwala
Dive.
Several locals — whom I had hung
out with under a shady hut next to a
beach — pointed out that Turtles Point,
Meno Wall and Shark Point, where the
marine life is particularly abundant, are
particularly popular among many divers,
among the over 25 dive sites surrounding
the Gili islands. Top-notch snorkelling
can be had at North Beach where the
currents are gentler. Alternatively, take a
plunge into the waters in a glass bottom
boat to get up-close with over 6,000
species of marine life.
TheGili islands are a
popular tourist destination
for those looking for a
remote island experience.
TanHeeHui
escapes the
city to get his own taste of
island life onGili Trawangan.
Natural beauty
near Gili
Trawangan’s
jetty terminal
Relaxing
beach life
on Gili
Trawangan
Remote
Pleasures