Gili Trawangan (Indonesia)

The Gili islands are tiny islands situated near Lombok, not far from Bali. Real out-of-the-way little heavens, it takes but a few hours to go round them; for Gili Trawangan, a 2h30 walk along the coast will have you back where you started, after having done the tour of all its beaches in the meantime. White sand, coconut palms, turquoise water at over 25 degrees, spectacular marine depths, turtles, rays, Trawangan has enough things to please .

Gili Trawangan is reputed among young travellers for its casual atmosphere and its parties where there is often binge drinking. Personally, I prefer Gili Meno island, much quieter, perfect for making believe that you are Robinson Crusoe for a while. Without sticking my neck out, I think I can say that the Gilis are a good choice for those who seek a dream destination...

Whether your trip to Indonesia is for a honeymoon, family holiday or a break with friends, Trawangan is a must for anyone seeking idyllic beaches, relaxation and sea turtles.

Having worked my way along Bali's winding roads, having climbed a volcano and having endured a stormy speed boat crossing from Amed to Trawangan, I decided to finish my holiday by putting my feet up and enjoying a relaxing week. The scene before me was straight out of a postcard: turquoise sea as far as the eye could see, long stretches of sand, not a car in sight, the lovely smell of fresh fruit juice and grilled fish...along with the sound of Bob Marley floating across the airwaves! My friends and I had rented a little bungalow near to the jetty, so we could spend our days lazing on the beach and taking advantage of the sixteen principal dive sites around the island. Getting around by foot, swimming and hiring 'cidomos' (horse-drawn carriages) we spent a superb week that included meeting sea turtles and some inoffensive sharks.

Other unforgettable memories of Gili Trawangan include a great cookery course and trips to the tranquil islands of Gili Air and Gili Meno.

Whether your trip to Indonesia is for a honeymoon, family holiday or a break with friends, Trawangan is a must for anyone seeking idyllic beaches, relaxation and sea turtles.

Having worked my way along Bali's winding roads, having climbed a volcano and having endured a stormy speed boat crossing from Amed to Trawangan, I decided to finish my holiday by putting my feet up and enjoying a relaxing week. The scene before me was straight out of a postcard: turquoise sea as far as the eye could see, long stretches of sand, not a car in sight, the lovely smell of fresh fruit juice and grilled fish...along with the sound of Bob Marley floating across the airwaves! My friends and I had rented a little bungalow near to the jetty, so we could spend our days lazing on the beach and taking advantage of the sixteen principal dive sites around the island. Getting around by foot, swimming and hiring 'cidomos' (horse-drawn carriages) we spent a superb week that included meeting sea turtles and some inoffensive sharks.

Other unforgettable memories of Gili Trawangan include a great cookery course and trips to the tranquil islands of Gili Air and Gili Meno.