Christine

I played with beautiful little turtles that were helped along to recovery by the locals.

You can find only meters away Galapagos sized bigger ones, who will make any dive a true adventure. You can hold on to their shells (GENTLY) and get a free ride or two :)

The locals are amazing and all Gilis can be visited in a half day tour from Lombok at a little less than US$30, hiring an entire boat for yourself + captain.

Meno also has accomodation, just as Trawangan, if you are keen on staying a few nights.

Very peaceful and a once in a lifetime experience for divers. :)

Gili Trawangan had changed quite a bit since the early 90s.

It is a chill-out place with a few tourists here and there. The Indonesians particularly on this island are even more open-minded than on Lombok. It will cost you about 10,000 Rupiah (US$1) to get to neighbouring Gili Meno and it is only a few dollars to the main land.

Bring your own sunscreen and other every day things from Bali or Lombok, because you will pay US prices for those condiments on this remote island. Food is slightly more expensive than on Lombok, but you can do amazing diving trips and if you like, party all day and night. In terms of staying there you can find anything from backpacker bungalows to Luxury 5 resorts. There are usually no cars on Gili Trawangan or Gili Meno. You can get around walking, by boat or taking one of those little horse carts called Chidomos. (Locals refer to them as Lombok Ferrari)

The Gilis and Lombok itself are seriously a beautiful place, untouched and wild. If you can handle the slight humidity and have an adventurous nature, you will have a blast.

This is an amazing place for romance, adventure and a place to dream. Indonesians are very kind people, they would share everything with anyone in need, eventhough you are a stranger. I have seen incredibly beautiful things there, I wish I could go back more often.