After finishing off the last of my Australian-purchased muesli, I took a cab from the hotel to Bangsal where boats leave for the Gili islands. The hour-long metered ride cost about USD12 only, accompanied with lots of conversation with the Sasak driver. I always love how the Indonesians have the great art of conversation.
Just short of reaching Bangsal, he stopped at what appeared to be a taxi stop. It appeared that the locals prohibit taxis to go further and customers are required to continue by cidomo (horsecart) for about USD2, or go by foot. I opted for the former only to see some taxis go all the way; perhaps they allow it for locals?
At Bangsal beach, everything was highly-organised. One buys a ticket from the office with a clear pricelist (except the taxes are not shown but additional receipts are given). The tickets are colour-coded and announcements come on regularly to advise the next departure specifying the colour of the ticket and the name of the boat. Well done!
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- The Gili islands a seen from Lombok.
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- Horsecart (cidomo) mafia operation; they prevent taxis from going all the way to the port and force passengers to use their service (or walk).
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- The efficiently organised boats to the Gilis leave from Bangsal.
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- It is a local boat service so produce is carried as well to supply the businesses on the island.
It was a short walk to my bungalow (even though it felt longer with luggage). The path was lined with restaurants on the seaside and both restaurants and accommodation on the landside. It was very busy with pedestrians and the odd cidomo and bicycles; there are no motorised vehicles on the island!
Unlike the pale grey sand of Lombok/Senggigi, the sand here is white, and the water is very blue. The main track (street) is lined with cafes, restaurants and accommodation. It is paradise commercialised.
I did some enquiries for diving and toyed with the idea of doing an Advanced PADI/SSI course. The course requiring 5 dives would work out just USD20 per dive more than just doing 5 fun dives. But I hadn’t planned on doing 5 fun dives, I wanted only perhaps 2 dives. This is meant to be the chilling part of my trip … a real holiday.
I finished the day with a Vinyasa yoga class before dinner and bed.
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- Beautiful white sand and blue water on Gili Trawangan.
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- Beautiful white sand and blue water on Gili Trawangan.
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- There are no motorised vehicles on the Gilis. Horsecarts cover the longer distances that people cannot manage on foot.
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- The main track is flanked by eateries and accommodation.
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- One of many beachside eating places.
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- One of many bungalows by the main track that circles the island.
