Final Destination - Gili Trawangan
Final destination - a little glimpse of paradise. Our last two days were spent in the ridiculously chilled and laid back Gili Islands, three tiny islands just off the North West coast of Lombok. These really are three little droplets of heaven, and whilst only staying on the larger of the three, Gili Trawangan, we did catch a brief look at the other two, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The rhythm completely drops to nothing here. There are no cars, horse drawn carriages transport you round the islands, and the islands themselves are each surrounded by the whitest of sands, and the turquoise-est of waters, revealing a kaleidoscope of multicoloured and multi-shaped coral. Gili Trawangan is the busiest of the three, the “party island” but is still relatively quiet. Despite being the largest, Gili T’s circumference is only around 8km, which I discovered on my one and only morning run that almost finished me off (sooo not running weather!) We’ve eaten superb seafood here, watched sensational sunsets revealing Bali’s volcano Mount Agung peaking out of the horizon, and sipped many Bintangs. We could have spent a least a week here so our two days seem rather cruelly snatched, but an excuse to revisit and a great end to the trip.
And a great trip it was. The stunning light installations, staple cocktails and monumental mechanical manmade trees in Singapore feel a million years ago. Then to Indonesia’s cultural and spiritual core with Javanese Buddhist and Hindu temple complexes, and gritty street art in the city of Jogjakarta. More temples in Southern Bali (accompanied by mischievous monkeys), and mountainous Ubud with lush green rice paddies and coconut groves. All that combined with a general splattering of amazing beaches, beautiful oceans, and what has felt like a perpetual-pilgrimage to some sort of Gastronomical Mecca. It’s been an absolute blast! So leaving Indonesia feeling relaxed and fortunate to see an incredible bit of the world with my man. I personally return severely sunburnt, overweight, but seriously refreshed and ready for life back home.









