The Gilli Islands (Indonesia) - Asian Destinations

The Gili Islands (Indonesian: Tiga Gili [Tri Gilis], Kepulauan Gili [Gili Islands]) are an archipelago of three small islands or triple Gili Islands - Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air - just off the northwest coast of Lombok, Indonesia.
The islands are a popular tourist destination. Each island has several resorts, which usually consist of a collection of huts for tourists, a small pool, and a restaurant.

Most locals live in Trawangan, a small town that stretches along the east side inland. Cars and motor traffic are prohibited on the islands by local regulations, so the preferred mode of transportation is on foot and by bicycle or the horse-drawn carriage called cidomo.

Geography and climate

The islands are located in the Lombok Strait, just northwest of Lombok. They stretch towards a small peninsula called Sire near the village of Tanjung in Lombok. Bali is located about 35 km west of Gili Trawangan, the westernmost member of the island. Both Bali and Lombok are easily visible from Gili in clear weather. Mount Rinjani, the second-highest volcano in Indonesia, is located near neighboring Lombok and dominates the view to the east.

Due to the close proximity of the Equator, the islands have a warm, tropical climate with a dry and wet season. With Mount Rinjani in the east in Lombok and Mount Agung in the west in Bali, Gili is somewhat more secluded and actually enjoys a somewhat milder microclimate compared to the surrounding archipelago. The dry season usually lasts from May to October, and the monsoon season begins in November and lasts until April. Temperatures range between 22 ° C and 34 ° C, with an average annual temperature of around 28 ° C

Islands

Gili Trawangan

Gili Trawangan is the largest of the Lombok Gili Islands and is the only one that rises significantly in terms of (30 m) altitude. It is 3 km long and 2 km wide and has about 1500 inhabitants. The name Trawangan comes from the Indonesian word Terovongan (tunnel) due to the presence of a cave tunnel built during the Japanese occupation in World War II. The Japanese presence during World War II was on an elevated topography in the south of the island, where anti-aircraft systems were located. Trawangan is the most developed and focused on tourism. The main concentration of settlements, recreation, accommodation, and diving are located on the east side of the island.

Gili Meno

Gili Meno has about 500 inhabitants, mostly concentrated in the center of the island. The main income comes from tourism, coconut plantations, and fishing. On the west side of the island, there is a small shallow lake that produces salt in the dry season. Until a few years ago, there was also a small production of seaweed on the reef at the northern end of the island. Gili Meno has bathing areas all over the island and a turtle sanctuary. The island attracts fewer tourists than Gili Trawangan and is the quietest and smallest on the islands. However, newlyweds are often attracted to crystal clear water and idyllic, secluded white beaches.

Gili Air

Gili Air is the second smallest island and is closest to mainland Lombok, which makes it popular among couples on their honeymoon and travelers looking for a quiet vacation. It has about 1800 inhabitants. The island offers diving on the east coast, and turtles can be seen along the coral reef. Other water sports such as Stand Up Paddleboarding and Kitesurfing are also available. The Indonesian cooking school opened in 2015. Gili Air also has a public gym.

Take a look at the video below about the Gili Islands:

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By: Nitza - Gossip Whispers