
Gili Trawangan, an Indonesian island off the coast of Lombok, has been recognized by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the world's 30 best hidden islands for off-the-grid adventure and seclusion. The island is known for its relaxed atmosphere, featuring beachfront cafes, surfing schools, and diving centers. Motorized vehicles are banned on Gili Trawangan, with visitors using foot, bicycles, or horse-drawn carts for transportation. Vietnam's Con Dao and Malaysia's Pulau Mabul also made the list, alongside other islands such as Pico Island Portugal, Scrub Island British Virgin Islands, and Skopelos Greece.
This summary was generated from a story originally published by Gili Trawangan news.
A volunteer program on Gili Trawangan is seeking individuals to care for rescued horses and ponies. Volunteers will assist with daily stable routines, feeding, grooming, and general animal welfare for four hours a day, receiving one day off per week. Shared dormitory accommodation with an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, and Wi-Fi is provided, but breakfast is not included. Free entry to local parties and events is also offered. Applicants must have prior experience with horses and be comfortable with basic horse care and stable work; applications without this experience will be declined. The program, "Horses of Gili," focuses on improving the lives of working ponies. Daily activities include taking ponies to the beach from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM and an afternoon routine from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Volunteers need to be over 18, fluent in English, and can be solo travelers, couples, or partners. Important rules for accommodation include no parties, no drugs, and quiet hours after 10 PM. Volunteers are responsible for their flights, travel insurance, internal transport, and obtaining a tourist visa, as the program does not sponsor volunteer visas. Food is not included in the work exchange.
BreakingA clean water crisis on Gili Trawangan has caused approximately 300 tourists to cut their holidays short and leave the island early. The water supply completely stopped around midnight on Thursday, September 3, impacting hotels and tourism businesses. Lalu Kusnawan, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel General Manager Association IHGMA in West Nusa Tenggara and head of the Gili Trawangan Hotel Association, confirmed the early departures. Some businesses have resorted to draining swimming pools for sanitation or bringing water from mainland Lombok by boat, which is costly and insufficient. The situation is particularly challenging as Gili Trawangan is currently experiencing high visitor numbers, with over 3,000 tourists daily in the Gili area. Tourism operators have raised concerns with local governments and plan to appeal to President Prabowo Subianto for a permanent solution to the recurring water supply issues. The West Nusa Tenggara government is now involved, with Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal coordinating with the central government and other stakeholders to restore the existing water network. Iqbal has discussed the emergency with the Minister of Environment, Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat, who has committed to assisting. The provincial government aims to resume water network operations within one to two days, while the North Lombok government is providing immediate water supplies. Governor Iqbal apologized for the disruption and emphasized that restoring water is crucial for reside
Must readIsland hopping in Bali and Indonesia is now more accessible and affordable. Bali Province includes Bali, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Serangan Island, and Menjangan Island. Other islands like Java, Lombok, the Gili Islands Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, Gili Air, Sumbawa, the Flores Islands, and Komodo National Park are also reachable by fast boat or ferry. A key recommendation for island hopping is to slow down and avoid trying to visit too many places too quickly. The "Plus One Night" rule suggests adding an extra night to your planned stay on each island to allow for spontaneity and to experience the local pace of life. Practical considerations include potential delays or cancellations of fast boat and ferry services due to weather, especially during rainy seasons, so it is advisable to allow extra time in travel plans.