What to do in Gili Meno, Indonesia, where to sleep and what to eat in the Lombok archipelago which is part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. A post to help travelers travel well and low cost in Asia.
There is one thing that still today, eight months after my trip to Gili Meno, I just can't forget. Tell me the truth: how many times have you come to an island landing directly on the beach? Unless you have participated in the Island of the Famous, I believe that very few of us have had this privilege.
Gili Meno it is the smallest of the three islands that make up the main one Lombok archipelago, place ofIndonesia which is also part of an archipelago, namely that of Small Sunda Islands. Naturalistically speaking, a real jewel where I wanted to spend a few days in complete relaxation, unplugging from the daily grind.
So do not expect the classic Indonesian traffic of cities like Ubud, with scooters whizzing from one part of the city to the other, but think of a small paradise where instead of cars you will find only a few horse-drawn carriages. Sun, coral beaches and a fabulous sea sipping cocktails with exotic fruits are the right setting that you have to imagine for this place where, until 2015, there was not even an ATM station, which instead was installed starting just last year .
Where sleeping in Gili Meno
After spending a few days in Ubud, I then arrived on this small island.
The choice of where to sleep in Gili Meno was very simple, as there were only 10 hotels to choose from. I stayed at the Mahamaya Boutique Resort, a pearl nestled in the west and certainly the best possible accommodation. With the indoor swimming pool, it will be very easy for you to get up in the morning and after a few steps find yourself from your room overlooking the beach. It was exactly 30 seconds from my room.
Where to eat and what in Gili Meno
The food in Gili Meno fully reflects Indonesian culture. My advice is to dine absolutely at Mahamaya at least one evening and then turn the island (in 2 hours you can cover it all) in search of some seaside bars, such as the Webe Café, which offers a seafood barbecue of the day most evenings.
What to do in Gili Meno
The activities in Gili Meno are purely sporting. Said of the walk around the island, where I recommend you go in search of Bedulu's workshop (a nice gentleman father of 11 children who sells his handcrafted creations made with wood) you cannot help but indulge in snorkelling trips. Thanks to organized tours you will have the opportunity to swim a few centimeters from sea turtles, see the coral reef up close (I recommend the Gili Meno Wall and the north end of Gili Trawagan) and swim with lots of colorful fish.
Another unmissable event that you must not miss is theexcursion to the Salt Lake, a small lake with a bridge to cross, always a few steps from the Mahamaya. Having chosen a purely romantic holiday, my advice is to visit all three islands, dedicating more time to Gili Trawangan, a true tropical paradise where you can combine fantastic swims among colorful fish with the typical nightlife of the locals present.
