Padangbai and the Gilis

On the 3rd of May, I had seen enough of Jatiluwih, it was getting kind of lonely. So I decided to go to the Gili Islands, as many who have been there recommended. So, Wayan and I drove to Padangbai where the boats heading to the Gilis departed.

Here a metaphoric picture of how driving through Bali is.

I had to spend a night in Padangbai. It was very nice, I found a good reggae bar with live music...

In the next morning, I boarded a crammed speedboat with 4 (!) outboard engines.

About 2 hours later, I could see the shape of Gili Trawangan (or: Gili T) , the biggest of the 3 Gilis.

I got myself a cheap room on Gili T. But apparently, they don't have the same standards as in Bali - the bed was creepy, there was only a half-broken fan, only one window and a salt-water-shower (ugly!). It was very humid and I could barely sleep. So, I decided to watch the Champions League semi-final (ManU - Schalke) in a bar with a Swiss guy I just met. Later, we decided to share a more expensive room together, so that, for about the same price, we got fresh water and air-con!

The next day, we surrounded the island on rented bikes. That's everything notable we did except lying on the beach and drinking juice or beer.

The 6th of May was horrible: It rained like cats and dogs. We gamed and watched movies all day long in our nice, air-conned room.

The 7th was a beach&beer day for me. My roommate went diving.

The 8th was my best day on the Gilis: I took a boat to Gili Meno, the smallest and most quiet island. It was absolutely amazing, an island à la Robinson Crusoe. Compared to Gili T, the party and alcohol island filled with scammers, busy people and magic mushrooms, Gili Meno was pure paradise. No loud sounds, few people, nature, beach, a warungish restaurant with "normal" prices, friendlier people... That's what I call an island-of-your-dreams.

Everything was decorated and in a good condition.

I could see many romantic spots like these and I made 10 times more pictures than on my 4 days on Trawangan.

I just felt peaceful and I wish I could have spent at least a night there.

Gili Meno is the smallest of the Gilis and I was able to surround it by foot in a few hours.

This spot was occupied. Dammit. I didn't see many tourists on Meno... But it's probably better that way. I don't want it to be like Trawangan.

That's where I had the first western food since Australia: a pizza! From a stone oven! Delightful.

I always wanted to see one of these amazing 3rd-world-country garbage trucks. So, I was quite happy when I saw this boat in the evening on my way back to Gili T.

By the way: Gili means island. The western name "the Gili Islands" is very kuite stupit.