TRAVEL GUIDE Gili Islands (INDONESIA)
PROLOGUE
The travel guide that follows is a compilation of data prior to making a trip to the Gili islands and update them once the trip. We provide this information as an example of how to organize a trip for free with information that can be found on the Internet. We thank Veronica Corrales, vecogu ( www.pacoyverotravels.com ), one of the best people organizing their trips.
2. HISTORICAL REFERENCES
Sir Alfred Russel Wallace, the so-called father of animal geography, formulated his ideas about evolution by natural selection while observing and collecting wildlife in the islands of Southeast Asia. He was particularly impressed by the sudden difference in bird families found while surfing just twenty miles east of the island of Bali and landed on Lombok.
In Bali, the birds were clearly related to those of the larger islands of Java and Sumatra and mainland Malaysia. In Lombok the birds were clearly related to New Guinea and Australia. He marked the channel between Bali and Lombok as the divide between two major zoological geographic regions, Eastern, and Australia.
3. I EXPERIMENTAL DATA
NO MOTORIZED TRANSPORT
Fortunately, and the three Gili islands are not allowed any kind of motorized transport and, therefore, depend on bicycles or horses and carts, known locally as "Cidomos." Bikes can be rented from any of the kiosks and the cost of all RP20, 000 an hour. Cidomos (local and horse carts) are easily found throughout the island, tend to be all over the port, arrangements can be made if you stay at a more remote location on the island. The bargaining is the norm, and always agree a price before your trip. The normal is 10,000 rupees per head.
5. HOW TO GET A Gili Islands
Gili Islands are located 10 minutes by boat from Lombok. However, its main access is from Bali, particularly from the port of Padang Bai. There are also fast boats leaving from Benoa on the southern beaches. The recommended way to access the internet via Gili's book transport with Gili Cat ( www.gilicat.com ). The price is usually around 100 round trip, including transportation to hotels in Bali. The journey time is about 45 minutes, unlike vessels going to Nusa Dua, which typically takes twice as long. The Bali departure times are 8:00 to 15:00 and the departure of Gili Trawangan from 11:00 to 16:30.
6. BARS AND RESTAURANTS
Despite the small size of the islands, dining and entertainment is varied:
Ana Café: A great little place to get local food, cheap and tasty, try the Nasi Campur.
Blue Marlin Café: A varied international menu during the day and, perhaps, the best grilled fish on the island at night, try the salads or grilled with garlic trevally on one of its natural juices.
Coco Cafe: now serving a variety of illy coffee, delicious homemade cakes and baguettes. Have to try the chocolate brownies or blueberry tart with a cappuccino.
Horizontal: A touch of pure funk has come in the form of horizontal bar and lounge, playing the latest funky music with a view to the beach, watch the sunset while sipping mojitos on the beach sofas and superb Asian fusion cuisine in the ultra modern restaurant.
Juku: A Balinese restaurant with their own eating utensils in Barugo serves food and western Indonesia. Try the Chicken Cordon Bleu with vegetables.
Kayak Karma: The Tapas restaurant offers a great combination of sweet Spanish, tapas and other small bites of fusion, sandwiches, milkshakes and more. Try the sangrias to sunset.
I hope these notes are useful to plan your trip. We remind you that you must be respectful of the local population and all the money you will spend directly with local guides in street markets, food stands, tuk tuk, etc will be very valuable for people who receive it. Think not only in the price of goods or services but as you help a family.
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