Paradise Redux

the non-stop beach on the tiny island of Gili Trawangan

Alright i am going to tell you all a little secret........ then you must SSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH because after all it's a Secret.

Not since landing on Manihi.....Rangaroa........... or even Bora Bora  (that other huge archipelago) in 1984 have i been able to really find a kind of paradise that we all dream about (right?).  
Quietude .and ridiculous natural beauty......extravagance in nature!
Well the world over has changed since 1984.  We have 
degraded this planet on so many levels.   So, you might want to think about coming to the Gili Islands before we've spoiled them.

the view from Karma Kayak and where I eat my breakfast

Cidomo- the only mode of transportation  other than  your own steam

really tiny horse...... really powerful

walking on a beach like this brings tranquility to your  mind

i am lying under this taking each moment in

 So, I ride a bicycle around this tear-drop shaped island, stopping to visit with goats, take a dip in the sea foam water,
visit with some local kids, snorkel incessantly, listen to the call from the mosque, go into the wild town filled with young partying things, swim some more in the warm warm tropical waters, take my first walk on the beach after breakfast and my first swim on a completely secluded stretch of white soft sand, read great books, greet and honor Bali on my walk,
cycle, drink welcomed and refreshing Sangria at Karma Kayak (owner won silver in 1991 Olympics), practice yoga ...... oh ...... you know.......
relaxed and physically stimulated at the same time.
Another safe place  for women, so i feel so fortunate.

Lumbung cottages (rice bungalows)

art on the beach (actually it's in the cafe where i sit at this moment)

come swim in the gentle sea

Yes, there is garbage on the beaches....... probably washed up from South Africa, or North Carolina........... always the water bottles, a deflated shark balloon, a lone flip-flop.  This is our legacy at this time.

And there are a lot of shells and coral and underwater is teeming with fish.


so, whereas sacred Bali  is not the place you go for great beaches....... a ninety minute ride by boat delivers you to paradise........ without any cars, motorbikes etc...... and it's a welcomed antidote.   The big island of Lombok ,shrouded in mist is on the south eastern side of the Gili's, Bali is on the north western.


p.s. i 'll try and get someone to take a picture of me on the bike  (because i know dee will like this.....for giggles)


p.p.s I wasn't kidding about getting here soon.......... there is already evidence that they plan on creating "another Bali" here on Lombok and the Gili's.  At this time there are no large hotels etc...... but they are building......... plus now it is

Another Sangria with the uber-wonderful sunset over Gunung Agung (Bali)!  Please


travelin' woman