An island off an island off an island

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From Nusa Penida, we went back to Bali, and now we're again island hopping. 

This time we're definitely not explorers. 

Our next stay, Gili Islands -  three small islands just northeast of Bali - are on the beaten track of the tourist masses, but, as we were told, they are absolutely worth a visit

 The small ferry boat from Bali made a stop first at Lombok, then at Gili Trawangan, and from there, we should find a local boat to get to our chosen island, Gili Meno.
 

 No cars on the Gilli Islands - all transport is horse-powered

The major Gili, Gili Trawangan, feels more like a youthful playground with lots of burger bars and midnight raves on the beaches, while our chosen Gili, Gili Meno, is quite the opposite. It's quiet, calm, and relaxed. 

And our pre-booked hotel was only a short walk away along a coastal path - past a few warungs and through a small forest.



 
The Seri resort

Seen from afar the main building of Seri Resort hotel looks like a stranded, white Mississippi paddle steamer or something out of a beautiful fairy tale.

It has a huge pool, a bar, and comfortable deckchairs to spend your days in, and it is in any way far more luxurious than all other places we have stayed in during the last many weeks.



Our room is not in the main building. We have gone the more adventurous way by booking something we have never tried before - a bale hut. 

This hut is without walls -  just a thatched roof on poles - covered in a mosquito net.

At the entrance to our quarter is a jug of water so we can clean our feet from the sand before we enter.

 We're not always that good at it, though, and last night it felt more as if we were sleeping in a cat litter box and not on a mattress.



A local fishing boat

Only 20 meters out from the beach is the corral reef with its sunken world of mysteries, colorful fish, and strange-looking corrals.

I told Rita about the wonders below the surface and even though she's not that keen on sticking her head underwater, she tried to snorkel.

Just a few meters out, there were myriads of fish of all colors - luminescent blue fish, white ones with lemon-colored stripes along the sides, black ones, red ones, and many, many more. The schools of fish moved as if someone was orchestrating them with a magic wand  -  they were moving to the side, then down, and then swiftly to the side again.

And the sea turtles. These lazy, big creatures gliding along - just barely noticing you when you decide to escort them for a bit of a leisurely stroll.

The most disturbing sight was what Rita called the "sea brains" - huge corrals on the seaboard which looked like human brains so much she was afraid to step on one of them in case it started to complain.
 

Getting ready for a trip to the bottom of the ocean


Today we spent the day reading the books, we could lay our hands on. 

Here it is quite common to exchange your books for other used books, and near the hotel was a small book stand where you could exchange two books for one without payment.
 
 
After all the hard work

Every so often we look up from our reading only to see the sight of the cone-shaped volcanic mountain on Lombok, the hazy coastline, and the rugged shapes of the rocky hills.
 
Practicalities:
  • swimming on a beach with corral reefs require swim shoes. Many sea urchins and sharp stones are lurking on the sand floor
  • As snorkeling means that you are lying face down in a glittering sea, make sure that you apply enough sun lotion on your arms, legs, and back or wear light clothes
  • When you take one of the small ferries to Gili, you land on the beach. This means you have to carry your luggage several meters in knee-deep water. We recommend bringing a rucksack.
  • Also, your footwear must be easy to take off as all shoes are kept in a separate box on deck. If you have a tendency to get seasick, take a  seat near the motor and a door. This way you get fresh air and the weight of the motor makes the movements less


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