Gili Trawangan

Last morning at the homestay- the 8 am ride to the port didn't happen, through breakfast with the Italian couple (rice noodles, egg and yam) I asked Jet about it, a quick phone call later and I was told 9 would be fine (8was their time in the first place). At 9 a taxi arrived and we made our merry way on, past sunning views of rice and peanut fields, with the mountains in the background and the more surreal view of hundreds of mostly women marching in their hijabs in groups of about 20, one with a number, another with a whistle and the others marching along behind. Apparently they were training to be police.
Made it to Bangsal with enough time to pop to the shop, apparently tampons are not a thing here 🤦🏼‍♀️
The boat ride wasn't too long, we stopped at Gili Air and Gili M before getting to Gili Trawangan where the port was rammed with people! It took ages just to get off the jetty, it was odd seeing so many people after being in the middle of nowhere for a couple of days. From the jetty I walked a short distance to the night market, the pick up point for the hostel. A little while later, a guy arrived on a bike to take me to the hostel. There are no cars on the Gili Islands so most people use push bikes, the couple of motor bikes I've seen don't seem to actually have them turned on, just push themselves along. It didn't take long to get to La Boheme Mini, it's your typical hostel, few bunk beds rammed into a room, haven't found the pool mentioned but it cost £18 for 3 nights so get what you pay for. Decided to go for a bit of a wander (so nice to actually be able to walk and explore), found a quiet bit of beach so read/napped/did nothing for a few hours- bliss!

Headed back to the hostel for a shower (an actual shower, vaguely warm and powerful enough to wash my hair- it felt amazing) before heading out for food. Decided it had to be the night market, can't have fresh seafood on offer and not try it. The night market has a range of stalls around the edge and long communal tables in the centre. The stalls round the end fight for attention but I'm pretty sure they are the same company as all in the same shirt and same price. Each stall has loads of fish and seafood set out- live lobster, prawns, squid, colourful fish, the works. You choose what you want and they BBQ it there and then. Theres then a table full of sides; veg, noodles, spring rolls, somosas, etc, which are free. I had 4 sticks, prawns, squid, calamari and something else I can't remember- all so good! Came to 100,000 (£5).

As the hostel, well most of the island, seems big on going out, I decided to wonder more before heading back, hoping those going out will be out. To kill time I had a traditional massage, it was similar to a Thai one, brutal but amazing. I feel like I'm going to be so brushed tomorrow but the crack from my back and each of my toes was so satisfying!

Managed to hide myself away and slept pretty well, one other girl in my dorm didn't go out. The hostel was surprisingly quiet at night, 2 other roommates came back at 5.30 and 8 but came in really quietly.Leggi altro