Gili Meno

There are several islands known as ‘Gili’ in Indonesia and generally they are dotted off shore from a larger neighbour. We headed for Gili Meno which is just off the coast of Lombok, and about a 3 hour ride on the fast boat from Bali. These islands are a series of three within a mile crossing of each other and local boats take you from the mainland and between the islands.

Meno is the smallest island in the middle, and the quietist, then Gili Air, to the right, which is slightly larger than Meno and has more of a surfer-hippie feel, and lastly Gili Trawangan, on the left, which is the full-on party island.

I’ve often heard people say you shouldn’t return to a place as ‘it won’t be the same’ or ‘ it’ll ruin your memory of the place’

We visited these islands in 2001 and they have certainly changed since then. In 2018 two earthquakes struck within a few days of each other and caused significant damage to the area, leaving over 500 people dead and 200,000 homeless throughout the Lombok region.

Meno only has a population of 400 and around 2000 on all 3 of the islands and 70% of buildings were affected.

Lombok had another earthquake of 7.1 in August this year, but thankfully no major damage was reported.

You can read more at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_August_2018_Lombok_earthquake

The Covid pandemic and lower number of backpackers visiting the area has also added to the pressure.

We revisited the area back in April this year and even in this short interval between then and now the island has seen further closures and more areas that have fallen into disrepair

However, there are signs of how resilient these little islands are. There are people boat building on the shore line in preparation for the busier season.

Locally owned bars and restaurants are also investing, updating their beach front properties, the one below was a favourite of ours in April where they had updated the restaurant

and built cabins for rental, which is where we stayed.

https://www.booking.com/Share-QHewPb

There is also a newly-opened resort style complex, which suggests that large developers are taking an interest in the island. Although it does look very impressive, I’m not sure what this type of investment will add, in real terms, to the quality of life for the local population or economy.

https://baskgilimeno.com/

The coral reef off the islands was badly damaged during the earthquakes and areas of it has died. However, there is still a large population of turtles living around the reefs, and all the islands run small ‘hatching’ stations, where hatchlings that have not made it into the sea are cared for until they can be released .

The chap running the place said they collect them after they have hatched, and care for them until they are 6 months old, and then release them on the beach.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g664665-d10060153-Reviews-Gili_Meno_Turtle_Sanctuary-Gili_Meno_Gili_Islands_Pemenang_Lombok_West_Nusa_Teng.html

If you make it to Indonesia the trip out to these little islands is well worth the effort. We’ve been here for 9 nights, but 2- 3 nights would be plenty to get a feel of the place.

It’s sad to be leaving, but the next leg of our journey will be new territory, so very excited to see what we can find!