Unterwegs auf den Secret-Gilis

The islands (= Gilis in Indonesian) Trawangan, Air, and Meno in the northwest of Lombok are well known to many people. However, it has been relatively unknown that there are also some, partly uninhabited Gilis in the southwest of the island.

Today we want to visit the small island of Gili Nanggu and enjoy the sun and go snorkeling there.

That sounds like a good plan. We still have to find out if the plan can be put into action. We set our alarm clock and set off after breakfast. I'm driving and Rebecca is navigating (with her phone and an offline app ;)). We are part of the traffic chaos for an hour until we finally reach the city of Lembar. Shortly before the port, we are already approached if we want to see the "Secret" Gilis. So our plan is successful. Go there and see what is offered on site.

We arrange a round trip to Gili Nanggu including snorkeling equipment and a safe parking space for our scooter.

Shortly after, we sit in a small painted wooden boat and are taken to Gili Nanggu. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. So we have enough time to enjoy the color of the water, the view of the coast, and the weather.

When we arrive at Gili Nanggu, we realize that the island is not as lonely as expected. There are boats and probably about 400 locals on a small area. A little confused, we sit on the beach, snorkel, and relax. The island, the beach, and the water with its fish are fantastic, but we can't really enjoy all this because of the crowds. In conversation with the brother of our boat driver, it turns out that today is a holiday and many Indonesians use it for a day trip to Gili Nanggu.

We spontaneously decide to be taken to another island. Gili Sudak is only 10 minutes away by boat. We negotiate a small extra charge with our boat driver and off we go.

And behold. On Gili Sudak, we find a nice spot and can finally enjoy the peace of the "Secret" Gilis.

After the boat ride back, we make our way home. On the way, we refuel the scooter at a roadside stand. Here in Indonesia, you rarely fill up at a gas station, but rather use the gasoline-filled glass bottles at the roadside stands. It is not uncommon to fill up your scooter with gasoline from a vodka bottle. When refueling, we are asked for a selfie by slightly hysterical Indonesian teenagers.

When we are asked for a photo by the waiter during dinner (for which he takes the Tripadvisor certificate filled out in Italian from the wall to hold it in his hands? ;)), I briefly consider making a business out of the photo story and financing our further journey by selling selfies. But after a conversation with the nice waiter, in which it becomes clear that Toni Kroos is his absolute favorite player, I immediately abandon the idea.