Endless Holiday

I suppose my love affair with Indonesia started as a child who was born to missionary parents. Naturally, as you age, no area is as glamorous as it appeared when you were a child waiting for Aladdin’s lamp or a fairy godmother to appear. However, no one can deny that this compelling and mesmerizing island is worthy of a top spot on anyone’s “must see” list. Indonesia’s colorful underwater world draws people from across the globe every day of the year. If you love the beach but want something extraordinary, consider the island paradise of Gili Meno.

Gili Meno is the smallest of three islands in the Lombok region, which are appropriately named The Gili Islands. Meno is often passed over in lieu of Gili Trawangan or Gili Air, which I think is unfortunate simply because it has so much to offer. This is especially true if you want greater peace and fewer crowds. When visiting, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was possible to explore the island’s entire coastline on foot in a little over two hours. You may be able to accomplish this in less time; I have a tendency to stroll slowly on beaches, but the island is only a mile and a quarter long and half a mile wide. I also quickly discovered that its unparalleled underwater regions offer outstanding opportunities to view turtles, squid, and magnificent coral formations, all of which I was better able to enjoy because of the island’s low key atmosphere.

If you’re an early morning vacationer, be sure to watch the sea turtles venturing up to the shore from their colorful coral hiding places. The island also has a turtle hatchery, and the baby turtles are adorable. If you’re more of an owl than a lark, treat yourself to an exciting night time dive, where shellfish, giant eels, and other underwater delights can be viewed in their natural habitats. I couldn’t resist indulging in a fabulous snorkeling excursion well my friends went diving.

There are several options regarding snorkeling, as this activity is popular on all three islands. You can hire a private boat, take a group tour, or just swim out on your own directly from the shore. If you like turtles, snorkel with them off the island’s northeast coast, where the aptly named Sea Turtle Point is found. Snorkeling expeditions to view the island’s famous underwater statues is also a lot of fun, but this is one time you may encounter crowds, since people from all three islands sail to the statue area regularly to engage in this activity.

If you prefer a simple day of swimming and sun worshipping, relaxation is waiting for you. All the beaches are quiet and tranquil, but the best secluded beaches are on the island’s northern stretch. On the southern end, the island’s longest beach is situated, and it’s near the turtle hatchery. At times, however, it can be congested because of the ferry traffic. Some of the beaches have tiny coral pebbles as opposed to the more commonly encountered sand, and you may find it a bit rough. The water is lovely regardless of which beach you choose, though. I couldn’t get over its perfect turquoise color.

If scuba diving is your cup of tea, you can schedule a day trip or even a diving course that offers certification at the end. It’s something to consider, depending on how serious you are about scuba diving on a regular basis. Coral, bat fish, stingrays, and hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles are just a few of the amazing creatures you’ll encounter on a scuba diving expedition.
On Gili Meno’s west side there’s a mangrove forest and a salt water lake around which you can stroll. The boardwalk, unfortunately, is not always maintained as well as it should be, so be careful when walking. I enjoyed seeing the large lizards and exotic birds that pepper the area. Mosquitoes are alive and well in this section too, though, so bring whatever potion is your favorite for avoiding those troublesome insects.

If the types of activities mentioned above float your boat, row it to Gili Meno and see what you’ve been missing!

Accommodation

Most Gili Meno Resorts and hotels are directly on the beach, but range from luxurious to downright rustic, and their prices reflect this. Seri and Mahamaya are two high end resorts I can recommend, while The Meno House is ideal for a romantic getaway. Bask and Turtle Beach Resort are more on the rustic side but still worth every penny. Keep in mind that salt water is used for the showers and this is completely normal. Freshwater is a rare commodity on Meno and the other Gili Islands.

Restaurants

Eateries are not plentiful on Gili Meno, but keep in mind that the lack of development is partly what makes the island so charming. There are numerous Indonesian warungs on the island, but if you follow a special diet, such as vegan or gluten free, you’re probably out of luck. The Bamboo Restaurant and Mahamaya are two of my favorites, but don’t pass over Nourish Restaurant and Bakery either. If you’re looking for a snack, grilled corn on the beach is always a winner on any Gili island.

Getting Around

Motorbikes and cars are still not allowed on the island, so I recommend renting a bike or walking. Please don’t use horse drawn carriages, sometimes referred to as taxis. The horses are not treated well and the only way to get this nasty practice to stop is for tourists to refuse to patronize it.