Beside The Sea... Gili Air, Indonesia!

Fully embracing my 'Island Gyal Era', I hopped onto a perilous voyage across the Bali Sea over to Gili Air! Was I mad? Yes, that swaying and rocking boat ride had me scared, it was not plane sailing at all! Gili Air served up the perfect introduction to that island stay, I had stepped onto my fourth and final Indonesian island of the trip. Get those kids out of my area, I wanted quiet! 

Thankful for that serene slumber during my final night in Bali, the only wild plans I had was to sleep like the dead! Leaving my villa was like a knife to my heart, I was going to miss Bali but I had one final destination to soak up! Heading for the 'Padang Bai Port' for my express boat ride over to Gili Air. I hate boats at the best of times but I am going to keep it real, Padang Bai was a mess! I had booked with '12Go Asia' and it was a nightmare to find my agency to verify the ticket that I had booked. No shade, I was walking around like a headless chicken because those maps and directions weren't clear, maybe I wasn't clear? In the end, I found myself holding on for dear life as the waves did their thing, it was like the boat was going through the most! I just wanted to get off in Gili Air in one piece! The Bali Sea could take several seats, I remembered my return boat journey from Cebu to Bohol, it was smooth and the vessel felt seaworthy. Maybe I had chosen a bootleg agency with rickety vessels to match? Feeling dry land was a true blessing, Gili! 

My 'Bedolo Bungalows' accommodation was located near the 'Sunset Point' on the southeastern tip of the island. I was able to check-in immediately and that impressed me much. My bungalow was lovely, tucked away in the corner of a small property, it was perfect. On the first afternoon, all I wanted to do was laze in the pool and catch some rays because the alarm call had been early and the boat had been rough. I had officially entered my 'Island Gyal Era!' There was a German family who had a teenage son, they were approachable and made conversation but a second German family had a younger child, as a teacher of small children I didn't want be near children! Her parents bought me some beers and apologised for their child's noise in the pool! I obliged, that's what you call German efficiency! I had the best afternoon in the sun by the pool, feeling the sun on my skin was amazing! It felt correct to relax without any schedule in place. I had done the most, I needed to rest and be on island time. Clearly, I wanted to do a lot of nothing on Gili! 

How did I know about Gili Air? I had a friend who travelled to this sunshine Indonesian island during every holiday we had. We met at a training in Beijing when we worked at the same teaching organisation during 2017 till 2019. Being a Puerto Rican, she couldn't get enough of the island feel of Gili Air, reminding her of the Enchanted Island. During our friendship, she told me the delights of the island, the sunsets and the friendliest of the people on the island. I was always intrigued by Gili Air each time she would tell me her stories of the peacefulness and the hospitality. We aren't friends anymore but I really valued those stories because they left a great impression on me, there are no mistakes. Bali had already slowed me down, I felt more acclimatised to an island vibe, it was something I needed to get used to because 'Summer Camp' in London was going to be berserk! I left the pool area, the sun had gone in, it was time to get ready for the nighttime. Would I be able to see the sunset on the beach? Of course, I would do! 

Heading down to the beach was not difficult, everything I wanted from my bungalow was only a quick stroll. Yes, we stroll on the island because no bright lights and hectic night plans were ever going to happen. I used my maps and kept my eyes on the prize because those roads were darkened without streetlights, I wasn't yet guided by the moon nor stars because the sunset had literally just happened. The sky was like a masterpiece, painted with five different colours, I was spoiled for choice. I found the first beach bar with cocktails on their menu, set upon the beach, I had my own panorama of the beach, I saw people horse-riding along the beach but that was never going to be my cup of tea! Tea? No, I hadn't lost my mind! I ordered a large 'Piña Colada' because with those Gili Air settings, the skies were no limit! It was such a moment, supping on that cocktail with such a view in front of me was like no other! Always set your eyes on the prize and make those dreams a reality! The freeness to drink a little was cherished! Gili Air was ace! 

Sunday Vibes? The offerings on that part the beach were plentiful with beachside restaurants offerings pizza, pasta and Indonesian favourites. I stumbled upon 'Gili Lambung', serving me a gorgeous Yellow Indonesian Curry was essential. I took it easy after eating my delectable curry, you know rice is life! The nights entertainment was getting reading, I wanted to sip on a few mixed drinks and get a little bit twisted. Choosing a Negroni drink was essential. 'Sunday Vibes' had tuned their instruments and serenaded the audience with a gorgeous set of songs. 'Night Changes' was my favourite, let's just say a friend had been obsessed with it, a happy coincidence it was! My first night on the island was suitably sedate without any expectations, the night-scene on Gili Air suited me because Bali had been raucous. I needed time to sip on those drinks with a rhythm in the air at the same time. Of course, the music was right and the drinks were just the same. Would it be a late one? No! Sure, I wanted to get boozy beachside the next morning! Yes!

Making my way back to my bungalow was easy, the beach road was quiet and the side alleys were lit up well. It was a treat to be free and easy with such silence surrounding that part of the island. My Indonesian trip had been mostly dry until Bali, the islands also gave me something to drink and process the trips drama. I slept like a baby that night, the feeling the next day wasn't a hangover because those drinks hadn't gone overboard. I just heard nature around me, it was serene and silent. The day had been long from Bali's Padang Bai to Gili Air, it was such a treat to swim in a pool after being much too busy for any type of relaxation. Truth be told, I love to keep my trips busy but having time to press pause towards the end makes for the perfect vibe. Gili Air was the right island, I had enjoyed the best day and night, all I needed was the nature and slow pace. I need to visit more islands, I need to take more time, running around is a lot! Let me tell you, I am eyeing up South Korea's Jeju and Japan's Okinawa because island time is crucial! OK?

I Loved Sunday Vibes! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure