My Embah

Four days ago, I lost someone very dear to me. I lost my beloved grandfather whom I call Embah.

A mere half an hour before he passed away, I was on a video call with my mom who was by my grandfather's side, and all was still merry. As I was washing myself and my son up for bed, my brother came into my room with the words, "Mama just called. I think Embah dah takda."

What does he mean by he thinks Embah is no longer here? Does that mean that there is a chance that the dreaded is not true? Does that mean that they could be wrong about the whole ordeal? I had so many unanswered questions popping up in my head, but I just couldn't muster the words out. I changed into the first thing I saw, clumsily packed Mikabear's bag, and headed straight to my grandparents' house with my brothers. We rode in the car in what seemed like absolute silence, the only noise that could be heard came from the radio. Everyone was in a state of disbelief. I on the other hand was clinging on to a thread of hope. But now that I come to think of it, it was probably just me being in denial.

As we entered my grandparents' house, my uncle and cousin could be seen lifting up furnitures and rolling out carpets in preparation of the funeral. I could hear my other uncle reciting the yasin in my grandparents' room. No, it can't be true. But as soon as I laid eyes on my grandfather, the reality of it all had struck me, and it had stuck me hard. I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to say, I didn't know what to think. I couldn't even look at anyone in the eye. Oh, my dear Embah...

My grandfather is the definition of an old school gentleman. It isn't because of what he did or what he wore, it was because of how he behaved and who he was as a person. It was what was within him that made him a true gentleman. My grandfather was always considerate and well-mannered towards the people around him - he was almost never without a smile across his face. He possessed a great thirst for knowledge, and often strived and pushed boundaries to acquire the thing that he took so much pride in. He never paraded his success and/or good fortune, but always made sure of a good reputation. My grandfather was a simple and understated man, but yet his presence exuded a certain aura that made you just know that there was something special about him. I wonder if he ever realised how much he inspired and enriched the lives of many by simply being himself.

Dear Embah,

All that's left now are the memories I have of you. Memories of you sharing your favorite coffee-flavored candy with me. Memories of you spending countless hours at your study table. Memories of you proudly telling us of your days in Ireland. Memories of you driving your handsome red BMW. Memories of me being so intrigued by the sight and sound of you praying. And ultimately, memories of you calling me your girl. 

The last memory I have of you is you asking me to hold your hand, and I am so thankful that I got to do so during your last few days with us. I am also thankful that Mikabear, or Ciko as you liked to call him, got to meet his Tok Nyang. Although he may not remember much about you years from now, I promise to tell him stories about his Tok Nyang and how great of a man he was. 

I wish I hadn't taken the time I had with you for granted. But it is a little too late for regrets now isn't it? I will always love you, and I will always look up to you. May God forgive all your sins, and place you in the highest of his heavens.

With love,
Your one and only grand daughter 

Being a SAHM, and Dressing Up

Being a stay-at-home mom means that I don't get as many chances to dress up as I used to. I'm not implying that my son's existence inhibits me from doing so. It is merely because the number of times I step out into the outside world has significantly declined since I resigned from my AM to PM job. It's one of the hardest part about being a stay-at-home mom - feeling like you never leave the house. It feels almost like a hermetic existence. It's not that I'm unable to go out, it's just that there's simply no one to meet on weekdays - I'm already at that age where most, if not all, of my friends are already employed and settled down. There are the rare days where I get to go out for some much needed adult company with friends who are between jobs, but other than that it's usually just my little dude and I during the day. 

"Why don't you just go out with your son?" Yeah, I can do that. But a two year old is not that good of a company when you want to do adult things like grab a cup of overpriced coffee at your favourite cafe, watch an action-packed movie in the cinema (or any movie for that matter), or window shop for things you desire but probably can't afford. I'd honestly rather just stay at home where we can read books, play treasure hunt, and color, when it's just the two of us. And when I do go out on weekdays, it's usually for a quick run to the supermarket, a trip to the post office, or for little dude's weekly gym sessions. 

So it is without a doubt that I eagerly look forward to the weekend every week because it means that I get to go out, and wear extra nice clothes! I would usually pre-coordinate my outfits whether we have any particular plans for the weekend or not. It's a cheap thrill that I like to honor myself with.

Duck scarf

H&M long-sleeved top

Thrifted camisole

FV Basics boyfriend jeans

Nike sneakers

____

On another note, I don't believe being a stay-at-home mom gives you a reason to let yourself go altogether. Now, I'm not saying that we have to become Stepford housewives who always have perfect hair, perfect make up, and who wear dresses and five-inch heels to mop the floor. I'm saying that we have to take pride in our appearance no matter what. I feel that it's so easy for a stay-at-home mom to get lost in being someone's mom, and forget that they are an individual woman first and foremost. I have found that if I get dressed and look presentable instead of looking like I just rolled out of bed, I feel better about myself - I feel more motivated to do stuff and don't feel quite so home-bound. I don't dress up to the core or anything like that at home. It's more of a thing between dressed and lounge clothes - a happy medium, a certain level of smart casual. I have also recently developed an interest towards make-up (I'm a late bloomer, I know) so there are some days where I will do a quick and light fix up even if I am just staying at home. 

Taking care of yourself and your appearance is emotionally boosting and does wonders on your self-esteem. You breathe life back into yourself again, and are almost instantly reminded that yes, you are a mother, but that's not all that you are. And as a result, your kid(s) will get a more positive you, so it's a win-win situation!

PS, if you're a stay-at-home mom and desperately need some adult company, holla at me! Kidding. Actually no, I'm not.

2017

And there you have it, another year has left us all. The ludicrous rapidity of time has left me bewildered once more. Oh 2016, what do I have to say about you... You were not the best of years, and you certainly were not the worst. Some days you lifted me up so high that I could barely see the ground below. Some days you left me weakened after viciously sucking every inch of air out of my helpless body. Some days I was just floating through between the good and bad - feeling like I'm not making much of a difference in this fast pacing world that we are living in. 

With that said however, I am grateful for a manifold of things. The past year had been primarily revolved around family, and that is something that I am immensely thankful for. I am also thankful that I got to direct my full attention and focus on building my brand, Monokerom. Although it has been a tough and somewhat slow journey, with hard work and dedication, it has turned out to be a fruitful one. And of course I am grateful for my little dude, and being able to witness him grow from a squiggly baby to a toddler who is akin to an Energizer bunny.

Okay, lets talk resolutions. Every year I fall victim to making a list of resolutions with promises of "sticking to it this year". I don't necessarily follow through every single resolution (gotta work on that), but I still enjoy preparing new ones every year, and try to have the most fun in getting them achieved. I believe that resolutions should be helpful stepping stones in creating you into a stronger and wiser self, not a do or die situation that makes you feel guilty if not reached. Set yourself up for success, and have fun no matter what - you don't have to take life so seriously all the time. Make a conscious effort to be happy no matter the obstacle you are faced with in the present or the future. To be honest, I am saying all this as a reminder for my own self. I need to constantly keep these words fresh in my head as fuel to keep me going because otherwise, I'd be running back into my little protective cocoon the first chance I get!

Below are some resolutions that I have come up for myself;

#1 Focus on what I have, instead of on what I don't
I am guilty of perpetually focusing more on what I don't have rather than the innumerable amount of things that I am already blessed with. More often than not, this would in turn affect my spirits negatively. The more we focus on what we don't have, the more deprived we feel. It is merely impossible to feel fulfilled if you keep focusing on what you lack. So this year I hope to realise what I have, appreciate it, and take care of it. I choose to constantly be thankful and smile about what I have instead of frowning about what I don't. I may not have the best of everything, but with God's blessings I have more than what most people do - a roof over my head, food on the table, and supportive people all around me. 

#2 Eat healthier and exercise regularly
By eating healthier, I don't just mean add an extra portion of vegetables onto my plate (if there are any veggies there in the first place - yuck), and by exercising regularly, I don't just mean performing a fifteen-minute workout routine three times a week at home. I'm talking less junk food, less sugar intake (this is going to be the hardest!), less oily cuisines, and drink more water. I also hope to start running again this year - no more excuses. Can't remember the last time I ran or why I even stopped, to be honest. I used to love it so much, and now I don't even know where my running shoes are. It's time to get back in the game!

#3 Learn a third language
I am actually in the midst of teaching myself Japanese. I have yet to master the language enough to have a full-fledged conversation, but I'm getting there!

#4 Have more adventures
This one speaks for itself, and has an essentially permanent spot on my annual resolutions list. These adventures can be in the form of anything and everything. To me adventures are anything that propose excitement with a light layer of fear. Things that push our boundaries, and force us to grow in one way or another. They can be fun, scary, and maybe even hard work. So this year once again, I vow to have more adventures which includes travelling, new work ventures, and being open to change and the unfamiliar. There are so many things that I want to do, and so many places that I want to go. From this point onwards, I'm viewing everything as an adventure waiting to be experienced.

#5 Cultivate and strengthen Monokerom (+ new project)
Needless to say, Monokerom is no where near the finish line. In fact, this is only the beginning for us. There are still a multitude of things that we want to achieve, and to share with the world. With that said, I'm also hoping to start on a new project that have been on my mind for eons. So here's to another year of more creating, art, and passion!

Training Session #1

Last Monday we made an impromptu decision to head to KL via the LRT as an effort to train for our first family vacation abroad come March '17. Being the naive and inexperienced first time parents that we are, we hope to travel without the help of a stroller. This wouldn't be a problem a year ago when Mikabear was much much lighter, but he is now a whopping eleven kilograms worth of cuteness and baby fat! So it is inevitable that a few training sessions to build up our almost non-existent staminas are in order. 

Before Mikabear was in our lives, my husband and I were frequent LRT riders. We would take the train into the city just to satisfy our durian ice cream cravings or to indulge in calorie-laden milkshakes at our favorite milkshake parlour (which has sadly closed down). We were thrilled to take our son on a train ride especially since he currently possesses a massive train obsession. Our journey started at about 4PM with my husband first carrying our little dude in his Boba carrier. The train was close to being full when we first boarded, but all was good - dad's a-okay, baby's happy, mom's calm. When we arrived at KLCC, the first thing my husband said was "Dang, he's heavy.". 

Ha-ha. I mean... we haven't even entered the mall.

And yet we remained hopeful. Of course we headed directly for the durian ice-cream shop. All you durian lovers should give this place, Durian Durian (how apt) a go. They sell an assortment of different durian-related desserts, but we usually just go for their heavenly ice-cream. Even Mikabear liked it (but then again, he eats everything and anything). We decided to enjoy our afternoon dessert at the park. I know that KLCC is almost always packed with people, but that particular day was a whole different level. We could barely walk outdoors without accidentally bumping into random folks. We walked around for a bit, took a myriad of pictures as a memoir, and gave Mikabear an amateur tour of this minuscule part of the city centre. Somewhere around this point was when I had taken over the baby-carrying duty.

We then proceeded to give Aquaria a go - one of the many things that I've always wanted to do, but hadn't had any chances to. Mikabear was immensely exultant when we first entered the place. He kept repeating "Fiiiiish! Fiiiiish!" whilst running from tank to tank. His excitement was however short-lived - we happened to be greeted by a massive stingray at one of the many tanks we stopped at, and instead of being amused, my son was absolutely traumatised. My husband and I on the other hand couldn't help but to burst into fits of laughter - we found the whole ordeal somewhat comical. From then on, the sea creatures we encountered only grew bigger in size, and our little one was just mercilessly clinging on to his dad's neck as we went through the underwater tunnel, refusing to be let down. 

It was nearly 8PM by the time we were done with all the attractions at Aquaria, and as much as we had wanted to do more exploring, we had to rush off to my in-laws' for a family dinner. Although it was brief, our little trip into the city was an exceedingly tiring one - from carrying the little dude on my back to running after him in the mall. And as we were waiting to reach our destination (which happened to be the very last stop), my husband said "I mean... there's no wrong in bringing his stroller right? We could always leave it in the room when we don't want to use it." To be honest, I felt a sense of relief after hearing those words come out from his mouth. "Yeah, that's true. His stroller is super light anyways."

Ha-hahaha-hah-ha. Till the next training session, guys. 

Does Motherhood Ever Get Easier?

As a mother to a newborn who was barely surviving through life with minimal sleep and sore nipples, I remember plenty of people telling me that "it will get easier". Well, fast forward to a year and six months later, I still find myself fumbling and tumbling through this mothering gig. Don't get me wrong - yes, the whole motherhood business is wonderful and I wouldn't trade it for the world, but does it ever get easier? Or is it just a white lie mothers tell other mothers to make them feel better? I don't think I qualify as an 'experienced' mother just yet, given how young my little bubba still is, but this is just what I have come to conclude thus far. No, it does not get any easier (yes, you read that right). Okay, let me just break this down for you real quick.

The newborn stage: This is when I had experienced some of the hardest months of my life. Most days felt like a daze, and I was in and out of mild postpartum depression. Newborns are fragile and cry at the littlest of things. Most of the time you will be frantically trying to figure out why your helpless little human is crying and how to stop it from doing so. It's basically a 24-hour festival of pooplosions, piss, farts, cries and screams, vomit, and stomach gas. Oh, and did I mention that they are hungry all the time at this stage? The thought of fully giving up breastfeeding came to mind a couple of times, to be honest. The main goal is to just keep everyone alive (particularly the baby) by the end of the day. Other than all that, they are insaaaanely cute at this stage. 

The infant stage: Exhausting to say the least. Analogous to newborns, but this time they are mobile and have nastier smelling poop. Being mobile means that they are more prone to getting hurt (read: falling off the bed). Teething is a total nightmare for both mom and baby. Let me just say a prayer for your nipples if you're currently at this stage. They'll also start to eat solids which means that you'll have meal preps and more cleaning added on to your already overflowing to-do list. Yay!

The toddler stage: I feel that the word backbreaking was created especially to describe this stage. They run, fall, climb, bump their heads, bite, scream. They are basically on a mission of self-destruction which means that you have to watch and run after your kid every single second! I'm not sure about other moms, but I suffer through at least fifteen mini heart attacks on a daily basis. Toddlers also almost never nap anymore, and require your undivided attention 24/7 which means that you don't have time to do anything else but to cater to the needs of your child. They throw tantrums, they throw food, they throw their toys. Oh, and they are much much heavier now. 

So, there. I think it can be reasonably concluded that motherhood does not get any easier. What it does become is a different kind of difficult as time progresses. But (yes, there is a but!), I do believe that we mothers get better at living with uncertainty, with chaos, with tantrums, with throwing, and the never-ending task of picking up toys from the floor. Over time, you will acquire a bunch of parenting tricks in your bag - the silly expression that will make your child laugh, the bribe that will get them in the shower, and the mantra that works best at keeping yourself sane. You'll learn what different cries mean, and eventually will also begin to learn how to decode the complex baby language. Things get less burdensome once you know that "bergertbergertbergert" means yogurt and "iyealk" means milk.

You get better at doing your daily chores and/or tasks despite having a child hanging onto your legs. You get better at having a conversation filled with interruptions. You get better at doing your morning exercise whilst a twenty-five pound baby is trying to climb on your back. I'm even composing this post while putting my son down for his nap. I mean it's not that these things don't bug you (we are after all still humans), it's just that you will learn on how to get used to it.

Mom-ing is hard, and I am in constant fear of screwing everything up. I'm realistic though - I don't aim for perfection. I just want to be able to raise a decent human being (possibly more in the future). And sometimes I become a nervous ball of anxiety because how can I do that if I don't know what I'm doing most of the time?! I am still in the process of learning that it is okay to have days that feel like a struggle and be uncertain that I'm doing things right. I think that parenting doesn't get any easier because it never becomes less important - no matter what age your kid is at. 

Even though my son is on the verge of the "terrible two" phase and my patience is constantly being tested, I feel that the toddler stage is currently my most favorite one. You can see them slowly becoming a mini version of you and your husband whilst at the same time developing their own unique personality. It's crazy how much and how fast they learn, and it's even crazier that you'll learn more from watching them than they'll ever learn from you. Truth be told, I can foresee that I will miss all of the things that are making my life not so very easy now - after all, they're not young forever (/uglycries). So just enjoy the parts you like, dislike the parts that bum you out, whatever. You don't have to constantly rate your performance. That's the only way that things will get any easier and how you will get better at being a mom. 

But you know, we'll see how it goes five years from now - maybe my perspective will change and maybe things will get easier. Savor whatever stage you're in now, because change is probably around the corner... and we know that can't be easy.

Gili Trawangan

The third and last destination of our Indonesia '16 trip holds a profoundly special place in both of our hearts. Gili Trawangan, an island located on the North West of Lombok, Indonesia, is probably one of my most favorite places in the world. Out of the three leading Gilis (the other two being Gili Air, and Gili Meno), Gili Trawangan is the largest, most developed, and undoubtedly the liveliest. The island may be notorious for it's evolving party scene, but there is so much more to this place than just getting high on booze and magic mushrooms.

My husband and I first visited the island during our honeymoon last year. We had developed a strong bond with the island during our previous visit, hence it was a no brainer that a second trip was in order. Picture a minuscule island fringed by white sand, and swaying palm trees, sitting in a pool of turquoise water -  Gili Trawangan is a classic vision of island paradise, a true escape from reality. It is not hard to understand the island's unique appeal. Gili Trawangan has a very friendly vibe to it - it is full of people from all corners of the globe keen on getting to know one another. There are usually more international tourists than there are locals, making it easy to forget where you actually are most of the time. Yes, it may be regarded as one of the best party islands in South-East Asia, but you can still enjoy spending time on the island even if you're not into partying (we should know!) - there are more than enough snorkelling, diving, and sunbathing spots to keep your itineraries busy. You'll never want to leave Gili Trawangan; trust me on this one. Furthermore, the party atmosphere isn't too overbearing, and is only limited on the main strip, which is also the eastern side of the island.

Gili Trawangan is tiny - you can easily walk or bike around the entire perimeter of the island in two hours or less. The eastern side of the island is the most developed, and is home to a myriad of different accommodations, eateries, bars, diving schools that are able to suit various tastes and budgets. It is also where most, if not all, of the party-goes reside. The western side of the island on the other hand, is of a completely different world. It is much quieter, and is predominantly occupied by luxurious high-end resorts. And it is also on this stretch where Gili's infamous ethereal sunsets can be witnessed. Perfect for family holidays and/or a romantic getaway. In the case of you wanting to be close to where the action is without being in the thick of it, the north and south ends are ideal.

The best thing about Gili Trawangan I feel is that you can make it what you want. You can go there and party, snorkel or dive, laze on the beach, explore the island, ride bikes, or even learn how to cook Indonesian cuisines. There are plenty of accommodations and activity options spread in different parts of the islands, and the choice is yours.

However in the span of a year and two months, a lot of apparent changes could be observed. The main strip of the island have become eminently congested with foot traffic, bicycles, and cidomos (horse-drawn carts), making wandering the streets a somewhat tedious affair. Esteemed brands like Billabong, Quiksilver, and Havaiianas are now opened for business. The existence of fast-food joints. The sudden increase of resorts and accommodations (especially on the western side). And there were a number of stalls we remember from our previous visit that have now been taken over by bigger businesses. Despite the changes, my love for the island remains the same. I am already looking forward to our next trip, hopefully with the little one this time. I just pray that Gili Trawangan's unique charisma remain eternal.

Getting there

Gili Trawangan is accesible from the mainland of Lombok and also Bali. We have experienced both routes, and have found that none is better than the other. If you are heading to Gili via the mainland of Lombok, your plane will land at Lombok International Airport, and from there on you will have to hire a taxi/driver to take you to Bangsal Harbour. We hired the airport driver since it was our first time stepping foot in Lombok, and we knew close to nothing about this foreign land. The cheaper alternative would be to hire an independent driver. Once you head out of the airport, you will find a multitude of people enthusiastically offering to drive you to your desired destination. The journey from the airport to the harbour takes about two hours. Transportation to Gili Trawangan was part of the deal when we hired our driver, but in the case of you not having boat arrangements, you have a choice of heading to the island via a private boat that leaves whenever you want, or the public boat which leaves every hour or so. It takes about fifteen minutes to half an hour to get to Gili Trawangan from the Bangsal Harbour - depending on what kind of boat you go on.

If you decide to go via Bali, boats to Gili Trawangan leave from the Sanur Jetty which is approximately twenty minutes away from Ngurah Rai International Airport. You could book your boat trip at a tourist information kiosk like we did or you could head to the jetty, and arrange your trip with one of the many fast boat services that are available along the stretch. As mentioned in my previous post, we took the Scoot Cruise fast boat, and I highly recommend them - good service, pleasant boat, and very accommodating staff. The journey from Sanur to Gili Trawangan takes about two hours - probably not a preferred choice for those who are prone to sea-sickness.

Where we stayed

Le Pirate Beach Club 

This, this is my happy place. Le Pirate was the first place that we had stayed at in Gili Trawangan, and we couldn't have picked a better place to spend our honeymoon. In the words of the people at Le Pirate Beach Club, what they provide is "simple luxury for the adventurous traveller", and that is precisely how my experience at the gem of a place felt. We were lucky in the sense that at the time of our visit, Le Pirate had only been opened for less than three months hence everything still looked and felt brand new.

It's one of the more expensive places on the island, but I assure you it is well worth your money. Located on the west, and what I feel is the best side of Gili Trawangan, Le Pirate is nowhere near the crowded part of the island - peace and quiet is essential for an island getaway, we hear ya. Their private beach is also a prime spot to witness unbelievable sunsets. Together with their charming setup which consists of cute little fairy lights, hammocks, beanbags, and lounge music, you'll have some of the best evenings of your life here.

We stayed at one of their quaint beach boxes which is basically the ultimate island life accommodation. White wood and turquoise finishing, minimalist interior, gorgeous outdoor bathroom (you know I live for this), spacious veranda complete with a hammock and beanbags - it was like living in the beach house that I've always fantasised about.

Our days at Le Pirate were mostly spent swimming in their two awesome pools (one of them is opened to the public), lounging in hammocks on our veranda and/or by the beach, and devouring in their delicious food. A couple of nights a week, Le Pirate will hold outdoor movie nights for their guests - which we like to enjoy while taking a night dip in the pool or in the comfort of our own veranda.

What appeals to me the most about Le Pirate is their vibrant and truly friendly ambiance. The place exudes both sophistication and refinement, yet still remain fun and somewhat thrilling. They definitely attract a more young-at-heart crowd, thus making it a great place to meet other like-minded travellers. In more ways than one, Le Pirate feels like a playground for us adults. I have so many things to say about the place, and none of them are of negative annotations. Once you've stepped foot in their premises, you'll never want to leave - trust me.

Ricel Homestay 

We had stumbled upon Ricel when we were looking for a cheap accommodation around the main strip of Gili Trawangan. It is located just a few minutes walk away from some of the best restaurants and lounges that Gili Trawangan has to offer, yet not near enough for the late night parties to disrupt your peace and beauty sleep. The homestay's easy access to the main strip, beach and all the other necessities (ATM, clinic, convenient stores) makes it an ideal place to stay especially if you're on a tight budget (you can save on bike rentals and/or cidomo rides). 

Ricel Homestay had exceeded our expectations with their warm hospitality and spacious room (almost three times bigger than Le Pirate!). Though our room was fairly basic, it was more than adequate - it came with a queen-sized bed, both air-conditioning and fan, a desk, hot water, and even a little terrace outside of our room. The homestay also provide daily complimentary breakfasts, island tours, bike rentals, and laundry services upon request. 

Tamoa Boutique Hotel

This was the most recent place that we had stayed at, and I have to say that I love everything about it. Tamoa Boutique Hotel is the amalgam of eastern and western essences, resulting in a beautiful island getaway that boasts of modern tropical architecture. As soon as we entered it's doors, we were welcomed by a long outdoor pool that was complimented by a number of all-white sun beds, and along the sides of it were the rooms. White, grey, and turquoise are amongst the chosen palette that can be seen on the hotel's exterior and interior, giving the place a certain level of elegance, simplicity, and calmness.

My breath was taken away the instant I walked into our room. Our room was big and spacious, exquisitely designed, has ceiling-to-floor glass windows and/or doors, has a beautiful outdoor bathroom (YES!), and most importantly it's directly in front of the pool - which means that we can jump right into the waters from our room, and that we have a killer view. The hotel was newly opened during our visit, hence everything was very much pristine and immaculate. The only downside of our stay was that the hotel's restaurant wasn't in operation just yet, and they had yet to install televisions in the rooms, but let's get real - who needs a television on an island getaway?

Tamoa is located on the east side of Gili Trawangan, but far from the hustle and bustle of the main street. It takes a 10-minute walk (or a 5-minute cycle) from the hotel to the main street. I love how the hotel is perfectly positioned - it's near where the heart of the island is, yet still able to remain tranquil and exclusive. 

Transportation

Automobiles, and motorised vehicles are principally prohibited on the all three Gilis. The preferred method of transportation is by foot, bicycle, or horse carriages that are widely known as the 'cidomo'. However during our second visit, I witnessed a handful of locals using electrical motorcycles to move about. 

Bicycles are widely available for rent - most accommodations provide bike rental services. They usually charge on a per day basis, and the price really depends on your negotiating skills. It can range from 35,000rp up to 100,000rp per day.

Things to do

Snorkelling and/or diving

The Gili islands are reputable for their beautiful underwater life, hence this should be number one on your list of things to do. There are numerous amount of diving schools inhabiting the land of the three islands, especially Gili Trawangan. As for snorkelling, all sorts of different tours and packages are offered throughout the islands.

On our first trip to Gili Trawangan, we had booked a private glass bottom boat for a half day snorkel trip around the three Gilis. Our guide had personally led us in the ocean, where we got to experience an unparalleled beauty that is only accessible in the sea. We saw hundreds of different aquatic creatures, each anomalous in its own way. The highlight of our snorkelling trip was when we had stumbled upon a giant turtle, and got to spend a couple of magical minutes just soaking in it's majestic splendor. 

During our second trip, we had decided to rent snorkelling equipments and do our own snorkelling around Gili Trawangan's Turtle Point instead. But only do this if you have gone on a proper snorkelling trip around the Gilis!

Circumnavigate the island

As previously mentioned, Gili Trawangan is a small island that can be toured around in one to two hours. Other than the main road that circles around the perimeter of the island, we especially enjoy exploring through the small inland paths that lead to stunning palm tree fields, and also where the locals live. The inlands are of a total different world than the rest of the island, a breath of fresh air, really. Children chasing each other barefoot, horses and cows running freely, local families exchanging jokes and pleasantries outside of their houses - it was just like any other village. On one of our escapades, we even had the chance of witnessing a football tournament being held amongst the locals where everyone was gathering around the field, each enthusiastically cheering on for the participating teams. It was indeed an experience. 

Relax on the beach

Chill, tan, and swim - the whole island is surrounded by white sandy beaches and unbelievably clear turquoise waters, making it perfect for doing just that. Gili Trawangan is an excellent place to spend a day and do nothing but laze, unwind, and rejuvenate. Most bars and restaurants by the beach offer sun-protected loungers, and beanbags and/or sun beds where you can enjoy sipping on cold coconuts, or indulge in some good food whilst marvelling at an otherworldly view.

Movie night on the beach

There are a number of accommodations on the island that conducts movie nights, but most, if not all, of them are only for the guests. However so, there is an outdoor cinema that is opened to the public at Pearl Beach Lounge that plays two different movies a night (7PM and 9PM). Tickets are sold for 50,000rp per person and includes a small bucket of freshly made popcorn. The floodlit rocks, star filled sky, and the sound of gentle lapping waves provide a unique atmosphere that in turn will enhance your movie experience into something more monumental. I've always had a thing for open-air cinemas (what more if it's on the beach!), hence this is one of my most favorite things to do on the island after the sun has set. 

Sunset gazing

Gili Trawangan is home to some of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing. Just imagine layers of bright yellow, orange, and purple against the wide blue ocean. There is not a day that we forego watching the sunset whilst in Gili Trawangan - we absolutely love heading to the south side of the island everyday to see what assortment of colors mother nature decides to delight us with. Along the south side of the island, there are plenty of beach bars that allow you to catch these breathtaking sunsets whilst enjoying a drink or two. It is best if you head to these bars earlier as the more famous ones tend to be rather packed during sunset. Don't forget to get the classic "swing shot" at Ombak Sunset resort during sunset - be prepared to queue though!

Stall/Cafe hopping

There is not a corner or street of the island that is without a stall or a cafe. These stalls and cafes each posses their own unique essence, from the aesthetics of the interiors and/or exteriors, the choice of furniture, the music playlist, to the type of cuisine being offered. Along the main street of Gili Trawangan, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a place to hang out and unwind. Personally, both my husband and I prefer to go to the opposite side of the island where the smaller and more remote stalls and cafes are (and where there are less people!). Some of these stalls make do with the littlest resources by simply setting up logs and tree branches as furniture by the side of the road. But it is these type of stalls where we enjoy sipping on cold coconuts after hours of cycling and/or swimming. And it is here where you are able to connect with the locals and listen to their life stories. 

My all-time favorite hang-out spot would have to be Casa Vintage Beach. The place is beautiful in every way, with less to no crowd as it is on the west side of the island. Locate a day of your trip to just eat, drink coconuts, swing in hammocks, watch the sunset, shop vintage clothes, and/or take a nap on the comfy picnic rugs and pillows over at this little island haven.

Food

Night market

At 6PM daily, there will be a night market in front of the boat pier where you will be able to have a feast with minimum money. You will find a wide range of local delicacies offered such as fresh seafood, sates of all kinds, all sorts of rice and noodle dishes, vegetables, snacks, and desserts. This is basically where everyone on the island goes for dinner. My husband and I always opt for their seafood. We are able to choose which fish or seafood we want ourselves, and they will cook what we pick right on the spot. Our usual choice would be the freshest looking fish we could find, a couple of king prawns, and some normal prawns. These dishes usually come with rice, and vegetables cooked in sambal. 

Le Petit Grill

If you are more of a Western food kind of person, this is the place to go. It is located where the night market is, and is opened 24 hours. They've got a pretty decent sized menu that is filled with all types of Western food that you can think of. But the most important thing is that the food's good!

Street stalls

I feel that the stalls by the streets of Gili Trawangan are the best choice if you want a taste of some authentic Indonesian food. Most, if not all, of the bigger and more established restaurants tend to westernise (i.e. less spicy, less herbs) their local dishes to cater to the pallet of the many Western people on the island. So if you're looking for some good bakso, sate or mee goreng, go on and buy some from one of the vending push carts and/or the stalls by the beach. We had some of the best mee goreng and bakso from one of the unnamed stalls on the main street of Gili Trawangan. Their sambal was impeccable!

Travelling Tips

• Travel light, travel light, travel light. You're going to be in your swimming attire most of the time anyways.
• Everything on the main street of Gili Trawangan cost significantly higher, and everything inlands are significantly cheaper. Bicycle rental on the main street is about 80,000rp - 100,000rp a day, whereas it's only 35,000rp - 50,000rp inlands. This applies to food and accommodations as well.
• Make friends with the locals and do not be afraid to ask them for travelling tips. More than often, they are always tremendously obliging.
• Master the art of bargaining. This will come in handy especially when you are booking island hopping tours, snorkelling trips, etc.
• Last but not least, use your time in Gili Trawangan to slow down and unwind. Go on a digital detox and experience the true island life to the fullest.