Monday, November 5, 2012

Gili Trawangan The Exotic Island in Lombok Nusa Tenggara

West Nusa Tenggara,  Lombok, slowly but surely became a destination of choice for travelers who want to find an alternative tourist spots in Indonesia.It lies not far from Bali making it one of the coveted chili domestic and foreign travelers. What's interesting is the island of Lombok or dyke, which is famous for its natural beauty underwater.

To achieve bund of Lombok, the Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air, it takes quite a long time. Upon arrival at the International Airport of Lombok Praya, you will be greeted scorching hot weather. As far as the eye could see, there is a large field that was dry. The streets off from the airport tend to smooth and clean, like a toll road. Occasionally seen on the roadside a few horses or cows typical Sumbawa. The horses and cows look very different than in Java because of its small size and mini.

About an hour, the sights we saw was a straight road, a few cows, as well as the shops were closed, monotonous and less interesting! However, not long after, the road turned into turns and climbs. The scenery around it is also beginning to change.

On either side of the hill and started to look palm tree hedge. Increasingly uphill streets, like the route to the summit. Also starting to feel the cool air, no longer hot and arid. Coolness seemed to come from the green hills and the trees on either side of the road.

Apparently, despite the long journey, stored exciting surprises. From the left side of the road, in between palm tree hedge is starting to look a beautiful blue color, like the color of ruby. Little by little, the beauty revealed. Apparently, on the left there is a road that we passed the beautiful coast of Senggigi Beach.

Senggigi Beach scenery truly remarkable. Blue sky blends with the blue sea and green hills. The more we drove the car forward, the more visible from a distance the silhouette of the three Gili, namely Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan.

Dyke in the local language means "island", which later became the name of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air in Gili Indah village administration, Lombok. "Gili Indah village population of 3684 souls, so it's quite a bit," said Maruli, Gili Indah village chief, when met at Queen & Spa Villa Gili Trawangan, recently.

He said residents ancestors Gili Gili is Bugis and Sasak tribe. Each Gili has its own history, such as Gili Air, called "Water" because according Maruli, formerly on the sea water around Gili no salt so it can be used as drinking water.

"If Gili Meno, Gili was actually the original name of Cikno Bugis language that means" place of salt-making ', "he explained. Gili Trawangan itself means "island penerawang" because the island is a tunnel to wander enemies have now been closed.

Beauty beneath the sea with coral reefs is the main attraction of this bund. "But first, we had coral reefs damaged by the storm El Nino in the early 1990s, but until now its beauty is still able to attract tourists," said Maruli.

Besides the natural beauty, the friendliness of the population is also a major attraction Gili Gili this. "Our residents are known as friendly to travelers is our main income from the tourism sector," he said. In addition, the cleanliness is also the main thing that kept guarded by the three dyke. "If coral reefs dirty, dirty beaches, anyone who wants to come? Later we will be impaired if both quiet, "he said.

First, this bund really overshadowed sebrangnya than neighbors, namely Bali. But now, according to Maruli, many foreign tourists who come. "Indeed, most of the tourists come here, usually for a honeymoon or diving," he said. "Aquatic bund is indeed remarkable for diving," he said, proudly.

At some point there are three Gili breeding of marine animals. For example, Gili Trawangan has a captive sharks and turtles, Gili Meno has a breeding turtles and other fish.

"The fish here are friendly, do not be afraid when approached by divers," sure Maruli.

Meanwhile, Gili Air is the main attraction for divers considerable presence in the trenches. Not surprisingly, when the bund is becoming popular among tourists divers. Besides being pretty quiet, beautiful natural underwater too.

Senggigi Beach scenery like no end. Always look on the left side of the road, covered occasionally coconut trees. Vast stretches of sea as there is no end, with a welcoming white sand waves on the coast.

Amazed at the sight, unconsciously we arrived also at the Port of Osaka Bay, the place that connects Lombok to Gili Trawangan. From here, the journey to Gili Trawangan followed by motor boat, with rates Rp30 thousand per person. If you want more convenient and faster, you can use the speedboat with 100 thousand rates.

Nara bay no less beautiful Senggigi. Seen a few fishing boats and boat crossings, as well as several small children who swam happily in the sea. Not surprisingly, the water is very clean despite being in the harbor.

Finally, we are preparing to climb the boat to reach Gili Trawangan. The boat is simple, with an open roof covered with tarps to protect passengers from heat. When moving from the Gulf of Nara, seen some pearl farms, Lombok export commodity. From the sea, pearl shells can not be seen, can be seen only small boats and floating hut a sign that no cattle pearls in the waters.

The trip to Gili Trawangan is quite smooth, seawater being friendly. Not take long, just 30 minutes we had reached the Gulf of code, the port is in Gili Trawangan. The harbor is quite deserted, only seen a few boats that used to take tourists to go diving or snorkeling.

Total travel from Lombok International Airport to Gili Trawangan Praya is quite long, approximately 2.5 hours. However, with a view of the Gulf of Nara Senggigi and wonderful, all tired really paid off!