Gili Islands & Lombok

The Gili islands are a small slice-o- paradise just off the Lombok shore.  We stayed our first two nights at Gili Meno with a reputation for being quiet but with construction across the road and a mosque’s loud speaker waking us early every morning there was little quiet.  None of that mattered though as we headed out with a dive team who let us snorkel the reef while their divers where underwater, we were told we might see reef sharks but no matter how hard I look, how far out I swam, I couldn’t find one, I’ll have to keep looking.  

The island was great but we decided to shake it up and head to the next island Gili Air which was a much more happening place and is where we met Gana.  Gana is a smooth talking local who worked at a restaurant we ate at every night.  After two great days of being certified beach bums on Gii Air we went to Lombok with Gana and his driver toured us around the central southern part of the island.  On our tour Gana explained that polygamy is legal in the Muslim parts of Indonesia and that while you “can not try before you buy” (yes some still buy their wives here) “you can get quality with quantity”…interesting philosophy.  

We visited a local weaving shop where  the shop keeper eagerly dressed us head to toe in traditional Sasak clothing, we’re pretty sure that it was gimmick to get us to buy more stuff but I felt Colin looked quite good, what do you think? The rest of the day we toured a market and Sasak village and found out that our height is internationally comical as locals kept coming up to is and indicating with their hands where they “come up to” on us before laughing hysterically, does being made fun of count as giving something back to the community?! 

We are spending the night in Senggigi, Lombok and then will head to the third and final Gili Island which is renowned for its party atmosphere.   Feeling rather geriatric in comparison to some of the young things that run around here partying to the wee hours of the morning I’m not sure how much we’ll contribute to that vibe but are looking forward to it none the less.  

R