CHILLING IN LOMBOK + GILI ISLANDS
Do you know what I loved most about Indonesia? Every island is indisputably unique. A blissful oasis and a neighbour to Bali, Lombok has been one of my favourite destinations to date. I arrived with no real expectations and after a two-night stay, I decided to stay over a week. This was in part due to a benign scooter accident which left me limping for a good few days, nevertheless blessed with beautiful white beaches and luscious rice fields, Lombok became a real contender to Bali.
Selong Belanak
Located west of Kuta and around a 45-minute scooter ride, this beach is a surfers haven for those beginners out there not quite ready to brave the roaring swells of Bali. Soft white sand and warm waters, the waves are small enough to go for a swim or get up on a surfboard.
Tanjun Aan
East of Kuta, another idyllic beach and with hardly anyone there we got to enjoy the beach for ourselves. Great for a little paddle and if there's enough wind, it's brilliant for a kitesurf.
Benang Stokel
These waterfalls are located about an hour and a half drive north of Kuta. Unfortunately, due to a little scooter accident, I was unable to make it to Tiu Telep and Sendang Gile (next time ;)). With my knee injury, it was great to have a guide help me get up and down the rocks. It's an easy enough hike to do although it's a good idea to bring good shoes as some parts can be slippery!
Gili Islands
I love the Gili islands! Basing myself on Gili Air, I took a day trip to Gili Trawangan. There's definitely more going on on Gili Trawangan and I found the beaches to be beautiful! The most amazing part was that it was awesome to be on an island with no cars or scooters and you could literally walk from one side to the other in 23 minutes. I loved staying at Ina Homestay, her family really took care of me during my time there.The islands are really something special and if you get a chance to rent a bicycle, it's a great way to explore the island of Gili Air!
Reflections
My only hesitation would be that is was really hard to get around Lombok unless you drive a scooter. Grab and Go-JEK don't operate there and unless you want to hire a private driver every day, your only option is to ride a scooter or in my case, attempt to learn :)