The Gilis

Trip Start Apr 16, 2008
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Trip End Apr 15, 2009


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Flag of Indonesia  , West Nusa Tenggara,
Sunday, September 7, 2008

After my adventures of the previous day and after travelling north I made it to the Gili ferry set off point. And I was pretty chuffed with myself too. I took the boat to Gili Trawangen as I had heard that it was the most lively of the 3 Gilis and thats good when you are travelling solo. I spent a long time walking around in the heat once I arrived to find somewhere in my budget...which I didn´t. I seems that this place is a little steeper than other parts of Indo. But eventually I did settle and then while walking down the street who did I meet but Servane and Dom (actually the Gilis don´t allow and cars or motor bikes so in fact the street is a sandy path where bicycle riders and pony n traps move slowly about the island). I was glad to see some friendly faces and we headed to the beach (across the aforementioned street) and chilled out for the afternoon. I told them where I had disappeared to the previous day and they filled me in on their island experience thus far. We rented some snorkel gear and 15m of the shore swam with tropical fish and turtles. Tough life here huh!
The next day I went diving with one of the local companies. I was my first drift dive (quite simply diving and drifting with the current, which is notoriously strong here) and with the lack of effort and the increasing experience I managed to conserve my air as long as the DM for the first time. Lots of rays, a few turtles and also a few small sharks. Another great experience. That evening I met with Servane and Domitille and with 4 other Francophones. This was going to be our climbing team for tackling Rinjani. I struggled with my French that had slumbered for 10 years and after a fun night (til morning) with dinner and drinks and dancing figured I had a good bunch.
My last day on the island was spent chilling out, swimming and reading and finished with a walk across the island to the appropriately named Sunset Bar to see another great sunset. Ahhhhhh!

All this rest was necessary though for the challenge ahead that was the summit of 3726m Gunung Rinjani.
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