This post is mainly direct journal entries (typed exactly as written) with some added content from today's point of view and reflection. The journal entries written while on Gili T really took me right back there. Just as I hoped they would.
Journal Entry: 7th October
“Yesterday we undertook the journey to Gili T, and what a journey it was. Two boats, two cars and a horse ride later, we eventually arrived at Mad Monkey. It lashed all day, so everything was soaked including this journal and the painting I bought in Ubud. The boat ride, oh my, full pelt and hope for the best… rough to say the least. 8am – 1530 travelling. Last night was chill as I want to see the island today. The sun is out, 0830, sitting by the sea. I’m happy”.
Arriving on Gili Trawangan was a breath of fresh air, quite literally. There are no cars on the island, the only transport is horse and carriage or bicycles. How refreshing. Just what I needed by this point.
Not to mention the journey from Bali to Gili T wasn’t as straightforward as we had anticipated. Cancelled boats, misunderstandings, and an extra leg to the journey all while enduring non-stop torrential rain. I think I actually laughed out loud a few times, it was a matter of being passed between drivers, deckhands and people who knew where they were going. Meanwhile we were none the wiser and just hoped with every being that our final destination would be Gili T.
Anyone who has been to Gili T knows that the boat is no walk in the park. Honestly these guys push the accelerator to the max and hope for the best, in this case, regardless of the weather outside. By the time you’re finished bouncing over the waves at full pelt you’re battered and bruised. It’s funny. It’s gotta be.
Journal Entry: 12th October
“Currently sitting by the pool, under the stars, it’s calm but I can hear the chaos and life in the distance, just how I want it to be right now. I have loved this island, the vibe and everything that comes with it. Tomorrow we will have been here a week, we definitely have some attachment issues as we seem to stay in every place far too long, we become familiar then we aren’t ready to leave. Familiarity = comfort. We’ll get used to it though, the nature of backpacking and the uncertainty of it. Being on this island has been the perfect balance of chill and party for me. Snorkelling, beaches, outdoor movies, partying and exploring via bicycle – it felt productive but relaxing.
Mad Monkey has been my favourite hostel so far, we seem to have really clicked with the staff, backpackers, and general atmosphere. I loved the fact it was out of the centre/strip, and we had to cycle in. It was in the more peaceful, sunset end of the island, bliss. Woke up at 7am most mornings, sat by the beach and stared; completely soaking up the moment. Completely content and total serenity. I’ll remember that feeling for a long time, genuine happiness felt in my own company.
Live music actually exists here, it’s a miracle…appreciation for something other than techno, I loved it. I got chatting to one of the musicians which was cool, he lives in Ulutwatu but comes here for days at a time to perform. We had a good few days with a group of people from Ireland, we really got on from the get-go.
After three nights in Mad Monkey, we couldn’t extend so we moved to Gili La Boheme, £4 a night and more centre – bargain! Well, it was well and truly a catfish. It was laughable, Granda’s shed is a better built shelter. To be honest these are the experiences I was most looking forward to having to deal with as these are the funny stories I’ll have to tell. I’m looking forward to collecting and sharing, it makes an interesting person and offers life experience, my main motivator for travelling. Rest assured we headed straight back to Mad Monkey for drinks and went out with the group we had been with the past few days, and we shared a spare bed in one of the rooms we had been in the past few nights before swiftly making our exit the next morning when the staff seen us… and knew we shouldn’t have been there.
Gili La Boheme: Insta vs Reality
We went snorkelling and seen some turtles – amazing. They’re bigger than I thought.
We checked out of Gili La Boheme and into Tipsea Turtle for 3 nights, closer to the centre, the chaos.
Gili Air:
I took a day trip to Gili Air. I walked around the edge of the whole island, alone, while stopping at a random shack along the way for a beer. It was so nice to chat to the locals, we discussed music, their way of life and got to know eachother a little. I can’t remember their names (typical) but they were three bestfriends, from Lombok. It was Café Queen Sunset. I would have loved to stay for one night and play the Bagpipes for them, it’s a shame I didn’t bring them as they were really into their music and were really wanted a tune. I loved Gili T, but I would have definitely been able to immerse myself within the local lifestyle on Gili Air, 100%. - (I Should have listened to Paul, he told me this before going)
From total sun to total downpour. High winds, lashing and thunder & lightening, perfect conditions for a boat back to Gili T… I think not. A WOODEN boat might I add. Honestly, the next 40 minutes were some of the most anxious of my life, I was crawled into a shaking ball. Water pouring in, the boat totally rocking and flashes of lightening, I was not ok. I had never been so thankful to step foot on land. Wow. Certainly, an experience though.
Jungle Bar with some Scottish people was good craic, hanging today though. Vietnam visa came through, flight is now booked for the 14th. Back to Bali tomorrow. I’m so ready to leave and so excited for the culture of Vietnam.
So, it’s goodbye to Bali, hello to mainland SE Asia. Even though it isn’t what I expected, I have enjoyed Bali, I feel like it has warmed me up for the real backpacking to come. Next time I write I’ll hopefully be in or on my way to Vietnam. Excited. Time to look up at the stars and enjoy them. One last night in Gili T, paradise.”
Gili T was clearly a happy time, I’m glad I remember it just how it was as this was my first time reading these journal entries back and exactly how I have been recollecting my time there. There are plenty more stories, but I feel like these journal entries sum up my experience to a T (excuse the pun) and to say anymore would be droning on.
Before we head to my time in Vietnam, I’ll leave you with my final experience associated with Gili T. Another thing Paul warned me about, but gosh I not prepared for this. Having endured the same hellish boat journey as we experienced on the way over (only one boat this time), I had finally nodded off towards the end and had barely woken up as everyone started departing the boat. Being nearly last off, as we follow the queue in front, complete chaos and a sense of franticness is getting closer, louder. “Bus ticket, Bus tick…Bus ticketHAVE YOU GOT YOUR BUS TICKET???BUS TICKETBUS TICKET BUSTICKET!!” To which I am stunned. Floods of locals blocking the exit of the boat, yes, I did have my bus ticket, but at this point I’m not sure what this meant, and I’m still half asleep. One local caught my eye, he seemed calmer than the rest. He looked at my ticket and said yes, I let him take it from me and he walked off. Suddenly, ironically, I didn’t have a bus ticket any longer. As soon as that ticket left my hand, the panic woke me up and I said to Shannon we NEED to follow that guy. Pushing and shoving our way past the locals desperate for a bus fare, I locked eyes onto this guy and gosh I followed him with every bit of faith. We ended up on a bus that wouldn’t pass any sort of MOT, not even in Asia, full to the brim with people and belongings. Lol that we thought our tickets were for a private transfer, the joke was well and truly on us. A journey that was 2 hours by car was now taking 4 – 5. But it all worked out, yes, we got to where we needed to go. Another strange hostel but it was beside the best McDonald’s we have ever had; the food was picture perfect. After the day we had, a little slice of Western food acceptable.
Fantastic experiences!! And so right, the worst bits are the best stories... ;-) Thank you so much for sharing, you bring it to life so vividly xx
I loved reading this, I could hear your voice and even picture it in my head although never been to any of
Loved the reference about the granda shed lol. Another amazing read!!
Another fantastic read. I'm so glad you kept a journal. Quoting from it really let's us in. Thank you.