During my days in these small islands between the Indian and Pacific Ocean, I was tested by a bacteriosis that put me in bed and slowed me down for 2 weeks. I had plenty of time to contemplate on the strength and the resilience of life in the context of spirituality and existence.
Just how the knowing (consciousness) is sublime with its sharpness, brightness and clarity, the creation is just as majestic as that. How can it be otherwise as they are the ultimate pair to one another. So the power of creation is as magnificent as the brilliance of consciousness. Even though we are limited and impermanent, we carry a vast potential of existence within us. Every created being is granted such an essence.
We know this from the ants or bees that guard their nest and colony or from the mothers that protect their child at the cost of their lives. We know this from the baby turtles that race to the ocean or from the flower that blooms in the snow. What an intelligence and potency! This understanding enables me to see life with new eyes and wonderment.
Let’s return to the travel journal.. Gili Islands (Meno, Air and Trawangan), a trio of tiny coral islands, are located just off the northwest coast of Lombok Island. They have everything what a proper exotic island have; white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and vibrant marine life. What is so beautiful and unique about them is that they are really tiny. In each of them you can cycle from one edge to the other one in half an hour. No cars or motorbikes, but only bicycles and horse-drawn carriages (see below) are used for transportation.
Gili Trawangan is the biggest and the most commercialized one. Gili Meno is the smallest and the quietest whereas Gili Air is a perfect blend of the other two. Each island is a quick boat ride away from each other. I skipped Trawangan, stayed for a couple of days in Meno but took my time and enjoyed Air, my favorite one, for couple of weeks.
All of the three islands have beautiful views of Mount Agung and Mount Rinjani. Mount Agung, Bali’s highest volcano is on the west side. And on the east side where Lombok Island is located, the second highest volcano of whole Indonesia, Mount Rinjani is seen. Some cloudy days block the view but on the clear days the views of these majestic mountains are so impressive, especially during the sunsets.
The most distinct quality of Gili Meno is its tranquility. The whole coastline is calm and peaceful with some cafes, restaurants and warungs that lined up alongside the beaches. Almost all of them are in the form of traditional bungalows that blend with the island’s natural beauty. The main income of the small local community comes from tourism, coconut plantation and fishing.
Having long walks along the beaches, just sitting at a random spot to watch the horizon or the sunset, writing my diary at the humble little cafes by the ocean and to lay down under the shining stars on the dark nights were my favorite activities on Gili Meno.
Gili Air has got a bit of everything, the liveliness and also the solitude. In spite of the vibrant potential of the downtown and the beachfront, you can still find silent niches and enjoy your isolation. The main street that goes from the port towards the center of the island has many different shops and guesthouses. There are so many options for dining. Cheaper local warungs can be found inside the island whereas design restaurants and bars are lined up on the beachfront.
Wandering the sandy roads along the shore is a great way to get to know the island. Just after a few minutes walk outside the central road, you reach more local areas and little neighborhoods where women chat with each other in front of their houses, the children play their favourite games or men rest at the wooden platforms after a long and busy day at the fields.
I so much enjoyed the cozy atmosphere of my hostel. I loved to sleep in the dorm with no windows, the only layer between me and the nature of the island was the thin mosquito net. And what a blessing it was to wake up to the day with the songs of the tropical birds.
I saved the best for last, that is the abundance and the beauty of marine life and coral formations of Gili islands. Just pick up your snorkel, swim a little from the shore and start snorkeling on the beautiful reefs where you encounter the fascinating and colorful submarine. Below you will see the underwater sculpture called ‘Nest’ placed close to the shore of Gili Meno. The expectations are that the statues will turn into a fully established reef with a lot of fish finding food.
Seeing all those fish inevitably evokes the sense of admiration for the charm of the creation and for the intelligence of the universe. There were so many different types of fish, cute clownfish, the ones with stripes, spots, geometric patterns, shiny colors, the ones that have eyes on top or eyes on the side, the ones that are long and thin like a sword or twisted like snakes and a lot more.. There were fish that travel alone peacefully and those that travel in groups. Some of them were looking careless, anxious, excited or even enlightened! It was funny to watch the lively ones that chase or flirt with one another. Not to mention, the playful turtles. All had unique attitudes according to their own nature.
This was the first time I had met such a rich underwater world. The diversity of the corals, their varied forms, colors, sizes and textures blew my mind. I was simply watching the movie of the submarine with curiosity and awe. Streaming through to the depths of the water, sun rays were creating a sacred ambiance. Stillness of the crystal clear waters fills my soul with wonderment. Under the water, one forgets who she is, where she comes from, what she is up to or why she is there. The mind dissolves in the silence of this beauty.
