Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air are 3 small islands between Bali and Lombok, closer to Lombok.

The largest island, Gili T, is just big enough that you can cycle around it in 1.5 hours. There are no cars on these islands and even the motorbikes common in Asia are rare, and if, only elecric ones. You get around mostly on foot or by bicycle. Packages and cargo are transported using small horse-drawn carts.

The three islands are so close to each other that you could almost swim from one to the other. What makes them special to me is the stunning beach and water. White sand, pleasantly warm, caressing water. You simply walk into the sea and can already see schools of fish. At the so-called Turtle Point spots, you can swim with giant sea turtles, provided they honor you with their presence 🙂

I also adore the riot of colors here: the various shades of blue blending into turquoise. While snorkeling, it’s almost unbelievable that I’m swimming in such beautiful water! I came prepared with a UV-protective top and my own snorkeling gear. Around noon the sun is so intense that it becomes my rest time.

One day during a meditation session in Ubud, snorkeling was described as a form of meditation. That perspective really resonated with me and it makes sense: the calm of the fish, the rhythm of the waves… pure bliss.

There is also my favorite view from the entire area: the sea, sunshine and the outskirts of mount Rinjani, the 3000 m’s high volcano in Lombok island. This is so close to here and in the morning uncovered by the clouds, a stunning view 😍