Gili Islands, Lonely Planets Top 10 Regions for 2011

Most of us put Bali on top of our travel list. but Bali is not the only beautiful island in Indonesia, (though i have to admit that it is the only island which have more than 30 amazing sites to visit). Lombok is also perfect to be a place to spend your holiday. wanna know why? because in Lombok, you can visit Gili Islands.

Lombok’s most popular tourist destination, the Gili Islands (or just the Gilis),an archipelago of three small islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air, came to the attention of the wider world as a backpacker mecca in the 1980s and 1990s. This is still true to some extent, and the islands are still a fixture on the Banana Pancake Trail. But the times they are a changing, and there is now a rash of glamour options on the islands, especially so on Gili Trawangan. The islands are very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes still playing reggae and serving up questionable “energy” drinks, but also at the other end of the scale, elaborate seafood buffets, fresh salads and good quality western and Asian food. Best of all, there are no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace.


There are increasing numbers of westerners living on the Gilis, and operating businesses ranging from dive companies to resorts. There is a strong environmental focus here as the reefs have been very damaged in the past. While once people came to dive, snorkel and party, a more upmarket tourist is showing up now. It is still all about the beach, there are many more options to wine and dine or hang out and meet new friends.


Strictly speaking, the name “Gili Islands” is rather redundant as gili simply means “small island” in Sasak, but the name has stuck and is universally used and understood in Lombok.


Lonely Planet, the most trusted travel guide book in the world that has been controlled by BBC, recommends Gili Island in the “Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2011″ list. there are 10 favorite places around the world  in the list, including Gili Islands. check what Lonely Planet wrote about Gilis,

“Although the tag ‘New Ibiza’ is wildly off the mark, the lures here seduce visitors so that days flow into nights and weeks drift past in a haze. Brilliant snorkelling and diving among sea turtles, sharks and rays can fill days or you can just drift off on a beachside bed. There aren’t any cars or motorbikes to spoil the mood, rather you can quickly make an island circuit on foot, bike or horse-drawn cart. Nights are the bomb on Gili Trawangan, by far the most popular of the three islands. All-night parties and raves anchor the weekly calendar while visitors can choose to sleep it off in original thatched huts by the beach, in hippy chic retreats, or in stylish villas dripping luxe.”


Thanks to Lonely Planet,   there will be an increasing number of tourists in Gili Islands next year. So, don’t be the last one to see the beauty of the Gilis, go visit them whenever you have the chance!