Lombok - Page two - By travel authority Howard Hillman

Lombok Island

page 2

The Gili Islands
of Lombok

Laid-back

Each of the three Gili Islands is abutted by clear-water reefs teeming with fascinating coral formations and marine life, including giant clams and colorful tropical fish. And sunsets are superb.

Even if you don't put your toe in the water, do experience the Gili Island's youthful, laid-back tone, typical of relatively undiscovered, not-yet-mainstream travel destinations. Life is slow-paced. No one is in a hurry. There are no cars or motorbikes. You travel the islands' unpaved dirt roads on foot or in minuscule horse-drawn carts.

Sunsets are spectacular

Snorkeling & diving

The three Gili Islands are praised for snorkeling and scuba diving. Each island is abutted by clear-water reefs teeming with fascinating coral formations and marine life, including giant clams and colorful tropical fish. If you never snorkeled or dived before, local dive shops have qualified instructors to teach you.

Gili Island
accommodations

Virtually all are rather basic, with minimum amenities. If that sleep-over adventure is not on your wish list, no problem. It's easy to make day trips to one or all three islands and return to sleep in your comfy Lombok Island hotel room (though you will miss the Gili Islands' nighttime spirit generated by carefree vacationers, mostly in their 20s to early 30s).

Redundancy

"Gili" means "island", so "Gili Islands" means "island islands", a classic redundancy. However, the "Gili Islands" term is so widely used in the local tourist trade that is now a valid appellation.