[ INDONESIA ] EXCURSIONS ON THE THREE OF GILI ISLANDS

The three Gili islands are relatively close. So you can easily move easily between the islands by boat through 10,000 Rupees per person! However, try to choose in advance which island you want to live, just to find a place where you relax and put your big bags …

Gili Air: This is the smallest of the three islands. You will find some accommodation and some restaurants but the atmosphere is really peaceful. The beaches are not very wide so it’s not ideal for sunbathing. Nevertheless, you are Pourre do some snorkeling sécances.

Gili Meno: If you like to play the Robinsons and being alone at the edge of a beach, Gili Meno is for you! However, note that there’s really not much to do on this island, except relax and explore the lake which is in the center of the island. Do not come on Gili Meno if you tend to get bored quickly … But for a honeymoon, it can be perfect!

Gili Trawangan: the biggest and most famous Gili islands. One can find everything and at any price! She has the reputation of being young, festive and noisy! Yet many families feel perfectly well on Gili Trawangan …

For my part, I chose the island of Gili Trawangan and I have not been disappointed. I was able to find a cheap accommodation easily, the atmosphere was pleasant and the beautiful beach!

Gili Trawangan, practical information

Gili Trawangan is known as a festive and noisy paradise for young partygoers. Yet I have not found that the atmosphere was so festive that I was able to rest properly on Gili Trawangan. There are a few bars on the beach but the atmosphere is very relaxed and it’s really not very noisy in the evening. Nothing to do with the crazy atmosphere that can be found in Koh Phangan for example.

Move on Gili Trawangan if you like walking, you can go everywhere around the island on foot. You can also get around by bike. Otherwise, there are no motorized vehicles on these islands. The only means of transport is horse-drawn carriage … You’ll see horses and some carriages everywhere around the island. I always hated to see the horses pull heavy loads but if you arrive with huge bags and have booked a hotel on the other side of the harbor, then you do not really have a choice …

Accommodation and inexpensive food: on Gili Trawangan (unlike other islands) you can choose for your accommodation and your food. You can find accommodations in all price ranges; even small budgets find their happiness as prices are highly negotiable staying several days or by sinking a bit in the village away from the beach. For my part, I found a double room facing the sea for 150 000 rupees (about € 9.50), but you can find for around 130 000 in the village. At levels of restaurants, it’s the same thing … You’ll find everything in Gili Trawangan you can eat lobster, pizza in restaurants by the sea or choose to restore you to five times cheaper at the night market that takes place every evening in the heart of the main street of Trawangan.

Poor waste management on the island by cons, it seems that waste management is a problem on the Gili Islands since one can find an open-air waste disposal in the center of each of them … not very green all of that ! Especially when we see that cattle feed on grass (undoubtedly contaminated) growing near the dump.

What to do in Gili Trawangan?

If you come on the Gili Islands, is above all to relax and enjoy the sun … However, you can also do some walks and snorkeling sécances to try to spot turtles (they are likely to gravitate to islands Gili).

Make a loop around the island: It is possible to tour the island on foot in about 3 hours (you also made the bike ride). However, the western part of the island, although relatively quiet, represents only little interest. The beach is practically virgin, but it is hard to swim because of the numerous corals and very shallow water. One can find some “resorts” isolated but I do not advise you. I also met a young couple completely frustrated tourists end up at this location. They had made the mistake of booking over the Internet in reliance on flattering photos of the hotel, without thinking that they would find themselves isolated on a dreary beach with some restaurants nearby.

Snorkeling north of Gili Trawangan: the best break for the snokeling and see turtles in Gili Trawagan is located northeast of the island. The place is not necessarily easy to get (remember to keep your shoes!) As there are lots of coral there. But once in the water, you will see fish and turtles if you’re lucky. But frankly, it’s not worth snorkeling sessions I was able to do in Koh Tao in Thailand or Malaysia Perhentian …

Enjoy the beautiful beach of the island: the most beautiful beach on the island is located to the east (where most hotels and restaurants are concentrated). The water is turquoise usually (but sometimes there quite couran) and the beach is wide enough. You can enjoy the sun while sipping a cocktail on the beach while enjoying a great view of Lombok island off … Here are some pictures from the beach, just to make you want to check it out:

The Gili Islands does not make you dream with all these pictures …? The water is turquoise and it is really nice to spend a few days on these islands! Do not miss if you pass near Lombok anyway.

[ INDONESIA ] PARADISE OF BALI

As for me, Bali was synonymous with paradise. Yet, arriving on Bali from Java island, I quickly became disillusioned! As always, I had nothing organized my trip and I arrived in Denpasar (Bali’s capital) in the late afternoon. A furious desire to plunge into the sea made me lead me directly to the south of the island, a few kilometers away, Kuta!

But in Kuta, the sea is not that bad. Indeed, for those who like to surf is perfect, but for those who wish to swim quietly, this really is not ideal … The waves are pretty big, and the rather cold water surfers herbs Many! Moreover, it is not possible to make 10 steps along the beach sant being accosted by vendors of all kinds. These are extremely pushy or aggressive, and it is extremely unpleasant.

This applies even in the streets and alleys of Kuta. If you like drugs, prostitutes and massages, then you will be served! For those who expect to spend a pleasant holiday, do not count … Kuta is fully paved, it is McDonalds, KFC and luxury restaurants facing the beach. It is also thousands of souvenir shops that sell thousands of T-shirts with questionable taste.

In short, if you want to hate Bali, you can just go directly to Kuta!

It must be said that in Bali, small fishing villages have been turned into resorts with mass tourism. If you have a little time, you can try to direct you to Legian and Seminyak (two resorts located right near Kuta). It seems it is a little quieter …

Budget accommodation in Kuta

Nevertheless, there is an advantage to stay in Kuta housing are not very expensive! There is indeed a maze of narrow streets teeming with hotels and cheap Guesthouse. You can find, from 100 000RP, pool and rooms with breakfast included. It’s a little bit more expensive than on the island of Java (or are found housing around 70 000RP easily) but it’s still good value for money! A little more luxury, there is also Club Med Bali located in the Kuta area, the archipelago of Sunda, where it is good to rest and enjoy the tranquility of the place …

I find that there is not much to do in Kuta same, except partying, surfing and eating in good restaurants … But you may find some ideas by looking different views on Tripadvisor.

Surfing: if you’re not afraid to spend your day lying on a board trying to surf, you will be spoiled for choice as there are surfboards for rent everywhere and cheap ( 30 000RP the day). You can even take classes (it is even more advisable if you are beginner). Dozens of tourists are surfing in Kuta, so why not try?

Shopping: If you love shopping, you will certainly enjoy Kuta. Most major retail clothing are present along Kuta Beach. And there is a countless number of shops selling a bit of everything and anything.

Drinking beer with friends: yes Kuta is this, beer bottles which empty in a flash … So if you like to party recklessly and end your evenings in bars, you’ll love the atmosphere prevailing in Kuta. It’s much more enjoyable for solo travelers who want to meet people and tourists who travel with friends.

Flying: Bali International Airport is 3.5 kilometers from Kuta. So if you have a flight from Denpasar airport in Bali, you can go to Kuta one or two days before departure. A taxi from the airport to Juta will cost you 40-50 000RP (or 2 or 3 maximum €).

To end on a more positive note, I would say that there is still something beautiful in Kuta sunsets! The Kuta Beach is often crowded at that time because the show is really beautiful. The city suddenly found serenity and it’s a very foolish … So if you spend a few days in Kuta, do not forget to admire the sunsets from the beach …

You will understand, Kuta is not my heart stroke in Indonesia. But I guess it is a destination that has global appeal to tourists who want to have fun and enjoy the beach, just …