The ideal island for chilling in paradise, Gili Meno ticks all the boxes for a blissful retreat—lying in a hammock engrossed in a good book, rolling out of bed into crystal clear water to say good morning to a turtle, being handed a cup of rich and strong coffee before breakfast, lazy afternoons having a nana nap, munching local dishes at quirky warungs, or playing the diva at BASK beach club with a cocktail in hand as the sun sinks into the ocean. The days go by in a warm haze of serenity.
Close enough to civilization that you don’t feel abandoned by society, Gili Meno is the smallest of the three Gili Islands off the coastline of Lombok, Indonesia. Gili Trawangan (nicknamed Gili T) is known as the largest of the islands and has a reputation as a 'party island' from its hedonistic days of being a backpackers' paradise. Over the last few years, this has morphed into a more upmarket family destination, but the remnants of its lotus-eating years still remains in the number of bars littering the beaches. Gili Air, the closest island to Lombok, is an escape from the bustling tourists on Gili Trawangan with accommodations to suit all budgets, from simple beach huts to upmarket hideaways. A day or two here will give you the opportunity to gawk at the majestic sun rising over Mt Rinjani on Lombok. Both islands have stunning beaches with plenty of opportunities to go diving, snorkeling, or soak up the sun.
Gili Meno, on the other hand, is an escape to white beaches and shady palm trees where in the early mornings you may be the only person greeting the day with your rear in the air doing a ‘uttanasana' yoga pose, or letting your wind join the gentle breeze in a child's pose, while your feet are buried in warm bleached sand. On a beach walk at certain places, doing a few hurdle jumps over the foreshore's track of boat ropes may be necessary, but consider it your workout for the day. These are the day-tripping wooden boats with chugging outboard motors that ply the diving and snorkeling areas around the island, or water taxis that go to and fro to the other islands. There are no cars, only horse-drawn carts or bicycles to clog pathways. If you decide to hire a bicycle, remember that they are quite useless along the beachfront's soft sand and only good to use on the inner island pathways.
Walking around the island in about one and a half to two hours is possible, depending on how long you wish to spend at the turtle sanctuary on the east coast. There's a unique saltwater lake in the middle of the island with a wooden walkway hugging the mangroves surrounding it where the local and migratory birds hang out. The island's interior is dotted with disused coconut plantations, meandering pathways, and homes of the local people where chooks and cows roam rustic enclosures. Only about 600 permanent inhabitants are living in the heart of the island, the majority of which are Muslim, and the echo of the call to prayer echoes over the island five times a day. Remember to be a considerate visitor when on Gili Meno by not going topless or nude when sunbathing.
Accommodation prices vary depending on the season and how much luxury you want. Gili Meno follows the same holiday seasons as Lombok and Bali—the dry season is April to October, with June to September peaking in tourist numbers and prices. There are a number of cheap accommodation options if you don't mind staying in the middle of the island, while the more expensive bed options follow the island's beach with the odd cheapie snuggled in between the upmarket options and various restaurants with views to die for. If your budget is on the low side but you have champagne tastes or traveling solo, check out the cute beach huts at the adults-only Le Pirate on Gili Meno. If your bank account is very healthy and you have decadent inclinations and no children to consider, look at Meno House. If you want more of a beach club vibe, head to the indulgent BASK, even if you have kids in tow. Catering for a family or friendly horde, The Island Houses Gili Meno of which there is two side by side, the 'Robinson House’ and the ‘Crusoe House,' will provide the perfect space to spread out in complete privacy on the beachfront.
Getting to Gili Meno from Bali involves either a few hours sitting on a ferry or a fast boat, with the alternative to this being a flight into Lombok, a bit over an hour in a taxi, and then a short boat ride (about 10-15 mins) to the island. If you suffer from seasickness, be warned that the ferry from Bali crosses open water and can be rough depending on the weather conditions and the time of day.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
