Today was my first full day here in Gili Air and it was spent trying to remember how to do nothing….and just relax.
For four months I have thrown myself into work; my days, nights, and weekends have been spent thinking about the project and making sure things are getting done. Today I realized I now have no responsibilities beyond enjoying myself.
I started the day off in the crystal clear waters that surround this island and by getting some gentle early morning sunshine. For a popular island at the beginning of the holiday peak season there are actually very few people here. I felt as if I had the island to myself.
For four months I have thrown myself into work; my days, nights, and weekends have been spent thinking about the project and making sure things are getting done. Today I realized I now have no responsibilities beyond enjoying myself.
I started the day off in the crystal clear waters that surround this island and by getting some gentle early morning sunshine. For a popular island at the beginning of the holiday peak season there are actually very few people here. I felt as if I had the island to myself.
While the sun was still young I decided to go for a walk around the island to scope out my options for the coming days. I am staying in the busier part of Air but would hate to spend all my time in one small area only to realize I had missed out on something further down the beach.
It takes a total of one hour to walk around the entire island. A lot of the islanded is secluded with rows of small hotels/guesthouses and shore-side restaurants whose only occupants were the local staff. The island is known for great snorkeling and diving and therefore, amongst the accommodation and happy hour offering businesses are tons of dive shops and mask rental stalls.
It takes a total of one hour to walk around the entire island. A lot of the islanded is secluded with rows of small hotels/guesthouses and shore-side restaurants whose only occupants were the local staff. The island is known for great snorkeling and diving and therefore, amongst the accommodation and happy hour offering businesses are tons of dive shops and mask rental stalls.
On the South East of the Island, the busiest part, restaurants and hotels are side by side, however, on the opposite corner there are breaks along the beach where there are no guesthouses at all or building is just starting on them. The beach ranges as well from swimmer friendly, where I am, to snorkeler friendly where the reef begins much closer to the shore and the beach is littered with pieces of coral.
I was back at my hostel by noon for a dip in the pool and to check my emails. My body and mind, used to a busier pace, had already accomplished my day’s to do list and found myself now curious how to fill the rest of the day. Naturally of course I headed to the beach to enjoy a Margarita and the beautiful sun. I went to Paradiso II where I was met by friendly staff and a waiter with accents to order, adapting his tongue to each customer and offering a story of his connection to each country represented in the bar.
The mid-day sun was not as inviting as the one that had met me earlier that day. I risked a swim and tanning session for only 20 minutes and then had to retreat back into the shade. Despite it still being rainy season, the sun burns here with intensity!
I started to feel a bit lost by 3pm. There was still plenty of light and possibility but here I was, mind racing, thinking I should be doing something…anything… but really there was nothing I needed to do! What a strange thought. Every time I am presented with this same situation I feel equally lost. Time to read, time to write, time to chat, time to explore, and time to zone out. This week in the Gilis is going to be a great re-grounding time for me and I am looking forward to it!
Dinner and Happy Hour tonight is at Chill Out Bar. A great place close to the hostel with friendly staff and a very diverse menu.
I was back at my hostel by noon for a dip in the pool and to check my emails. My body and mind, used to a busier pace, had already accomplished my day’s to do list and found myself now curious how to fill the rest of the day. Naturally of course I headed to the beach to enjoy a Margarita and the beautiful sun. I went to Paradiso II where I was met by friendly staff and a waiter with accents to order, adapting his tongue to each customer and offering a story of his connection to each country represented in the bar.
The mid-day sun was not as inviting as the one that had met me earlier that day. I risked a swim and tanning session for only 20 minutes and then had to retreat back into the shade. Despite it still being rainy season, the sun burns here with intensity!
I started to feel a bit lost by 3pm. There was still plenty of light and possibility but here I was, mind racing, thinking I should be doing something…anything… but really there was nothing I needed to do! What a strange thought. Every time I am presented with this same situation I feel equally lost. Time to read, time to write, time to chat, time to explore, and time to zone out. This week in the Gilis is going to be a great re-grounding time for me and I am looking forward to it!
Dinner and Happy Hour tonight is at Chill Out Bar. A great place close to the hostel with friendly staff and a very diverse menu.
TRAVEL ADVICE
1. Try 'em all! Don't eat at the same place twice. The atmosphere and view are equally great at most restaurants and bars all around the island.
2. Splurge on a lounger for 50,000 IDR at one of the restaurants at least one day to work on that tan in comfort.
3. Bring books with you if you are staying on Gili Air or Meno, theres not a great swap or buy selecting. Gili T has at least two very well stalked used book stores though.
BREAKDOWN OF THE DAY
Embarrassing Moment of the Day: Squealing in the most embarrassing way when I saw an iguana that would have been the same length as I am tall scurry into a hole that in my opinion was too big for a hole in a garden to be.
Highlight of the Day: seeing a school of tiny little fish, maybe about a hundred of them, jumping out of the water in waves along the shore line close to sunset.
1. Try 'em all! Don't eat at the same place twice. The atmosphere and view are equally great at most restaurants and bars all around the island.
2. Splurge on a lounger for 50,000 IDR at one of the restaurants at least one day to work on that tan in comfort.
3. Bring books with you if you are staying on Gili Air or Meno, theres not a great swap or buy selecting. Gili T has at least two very well stalked used book stores though.
BREAKDOWN OF THE DAY
Embarrassing Moment of the Day: Squealing in the most embarrassing way when I saw an iguana that would have been the same length as I am tall scurry into a hole that in my opinion was too big for a hole in a garden to be.
Highlight of the Day: seeing a school of tiny little fish, maybe about a hundred of them, jumping out of the water in waves along the shore line close to sunset.