Gili Trawangan – An Island of Million Enchantment in Lombok

This is Lombok in Indonesia, exotic island in Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) which is one prove of the natural beauty of Indonesian Archipelago. Not only the sea and stunning beaches, culture and customs which still maintained by the communities are also still attractive.

A few days ago, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated the international airport of Lombok. But it does not necessarily increase the potential of tourism in Lombok which is all this time beneath the shadow of Bali island. Though many potential regions and traditions of local people become the main destination for tourists around the world. 

One of the main destination for tourists Gili Trawangan Island which has been well-known to foreign tourists as well as the Sade traditional village viable for your visit. The trip to Gili Trawangan by motor boat takes only 20 minutes from Bangsal Port.

BANGSAL PORT
Bangsal Port which located in Kecamatan Pemenang, North Lombok, NTB is the gateway for tourists both domestic and overseas, which will lead to three dykes, Gili Air, Gili Meno, and Gili Trawangan. From the center city of Mataram, there are two paths that can be passed, the first passing Lane along the West coast of Lombok with good streets and quite extensive, while the second pathway is through Pusuk Forest Zone, filled with hundreds of monkeys. The course was good, but somewhat narrow.
The time needed from downtown to the port approximately half an hour by private vehicles. Once inside the gate that read “Welcome to Bangsal”, you will find a light blue shirt Transportation Agency officers guarding the parking lot. Here, the officers should be directing the tourists to the parking lot, though the distance between the parking lot and harbor is about 300 meter away. In the parking lot there standby cidomo (cikar-dokar-mobil) ready to take tourists to the Port. It appeared in the parking lot there is also the duty of the officers, there you can negotiate with the officers so that cars can go up to the port by paying Rp 20.000.

GILI TRAWANGAN

http://www.google.co.id/imgres?q=gili+trawangan

Gili Trawangan is one of the three exotic island besides Gili Meno and Gili Air which became a tourist destination in Lombok. The beauty of white extended sandy beach and the stunning scenery attracted the tourists to keep coming. Not much can be done on this island, the daily activities are water sports such as diving, snorkelling around the island by bicycle or walking, or just relaxing while enjoying views of the beach. In the afternoon many people gathered in the west of the island to watch the sunset, the place called the sunset view.
Satisfied with the coast and sea, tourists are able to know better the indigenous people of Lombok, the Sasak tribe in Sade Village, who still maintain their tradition strong. Like wooden houses roofed with the leaves of straw, making weaving cloth, famous Sade village, and of course the most unique one is floor house covered with sewage.

http://www.google.co.id/imgres?q=gili+trawangan

No one indeed the movement of tourism awareness in Sade Village. The aim is only one, to attract more tourists and empower local residents. One more tourists’ destination in Indonesia worth a visit. Enjoying the natural charm of Lombok and learn cultural values.

TOWARD GILI TRAWANGAN

Toward Gili Trawangan from Lombok Island can be reached by various means, commonly used are crossing boats from the Port of Bangsal. To reach the port itself you need a taxi from the airport of Selaparang, Lombok which cost around 100000 rupiahs. But be careful with the offers of taxi at the exit point. Walk a bit to the main road outside the port and then take the BlueBird taxi.

Usually the driver will give you two choices of routes to the Port of Bangsal, namely through the middle lane and the coastal lane. Beach lane (jalur pantai) is the road surpass the outskirts of the west of Lombok among others Senggigi, Pura Batu Bolong and several view points with beautiful beaches. I suggest you choose this route, the road is better and smooth relatively, but if you choose the middle lane you will pass the forest monkey or known by Baun Pusuk.

Arriving at the port, taxi could not enter the shoreline of the crossing point to purchase ticket, but instead leave off at such a small terminal called station by the local community, from here many cidomo can take you to the coastal beach/harbor postal tickets with fare per person around 10000 rupiahs. But the true distance between the terminal with the beach is not too far, approximately 200 meters. Perhaps you can try to walk while enjoying the atmosphere, but if you don’t like walking or you are carrying too much stuff, I suggest to use horse-drawn/cidomo.

http://www.google.co.id/imgres?q=cidomo+gili+trawangan

Arriving at the Port, there is a small wooden building where tickets sales to cross to Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. The port is a bit unique in that passengers can only on board if there are 20 passengers. So, don’t be surprised if we have to wait several minutes. An officer will notify you through the loudspeakers how many people are needed in order the boat to cross. This is a regular crossing used by local communities in addition to tourists, so in the boat there are often lots of stuff even animals such as chickens. The price of the ticket is Rp.10.000 with a travel time about 45 minutes. Another alternative way is by using a speed boat chartered at a cost of around Rp. 250.000 – Rp. 700.000.