If paradise had a name – Gilli T would be it. Located off the coast of Bali lies the island of Gilli Trawangan, also known as Gilli T, which is an Indonesian tourism pearl and for good reason. Gilli T is the largest of the Gilli islands, with neighboring Gilli Air and Gilli Meno offering diverse island experiences. It’s hard to believe this island was uninhabited a few decades ago. In just 50 years, the Gilli T has gone from off the grid to tourist central, with backpackers and luxury resort seekers alike flocking in droves. Even though Gilli T is undeniable a tourist hot-spot, the island has a surreal and magical ambiance. It’s a combination of natural beauty, cleanliness (some of the cleanest coastline I have ever seen), lack of traffic congestion and a relaxed bohemian atmosphere. The island is incredibly beautiful, with a myriad of soft, white powdery beach sand in stark contrast to the sapphire blue ocean water and surrounding volcanic rock. The healthy corals and marine life are refreshing for such a popular tourist destination and the diving and snorkeling on offer is satiating. Although Gilli T is a tourist haven, the island has managed to hold into its local essence – an impressive feat in South East Asia. The cluster of sister islands only have one ATM servicing tourists and motorised transport is banned on the islands. The reduction in noise and air pollution goes a long way in creating a scenic ambiance and the sense of truly leaving the world behind you. People on bicycles are not the only things evocative of Amsterdam – Gilli T offers party goers legal hallucinogenics that are otherwise strictly forbidden in the rest of Indonesia. In fact, it’s so openly available that Vice has dubbed Gilli T “the magic mushroom milkshake island.” It’s also rumoured that Gilli T is the smallest island in the world to boast an Irish pub. One thing is clear – if you are looking for the ultimate carefree island party paradise – Gilli T is for you. Two things that may take you by surprise on the island – how quickly the weather changes from perfect to the perfect storm and how dark the island can get at night. We arrived on the island during an intense afternoon shower which thoroughly soaked every bag and person on the boat. Streets were flooded with water and for a moment I thought this was in indication of the next few days of our trip. However, within 30 min the skies cleared and paradise was restored. Walking or riding your bike around the island at night is no easy task – the sandy roads can be tricky and absolutely no street lights mean unless the full moon offers some reprise you’re literally cycling in darkness.
However, just before you are ready to give up the sound of lulling reggae, limbo dancing, laughter and the lapping ocean will guide you to some gorgeous beachside watering hole and the intoxicating energy of true care-free island living.
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July 2017
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