LOMBOK: Gili islands

The Gili Islands were definitely our favorite part of Lombok. We took a slow boat out to the islands to snorkel for a day. We loved it so much we went back a second day.

But no slow boat the second day. We figured we could pay a dollar a person instead and take the public boat instead of hiring a boat for the day. Wow! Very Lombok. 40 people climb on with their chicken cages, propane tanks, kids and cigarettes. Not exactly what we were expecting. But got us there just fine!

3 islands off of Lombok. Gili Air, Gili Meno and Gili Trawangan.



The boys stayed busy digging and building and collecting coral. I could barely get them to look up for a picture or stop for lunch.

Dave and I stayed busy snorkeling. It was amazing!! The best snorkeling I have ever done! You could step right off the beach and see huge sea turtles and a million different kinds of colorful fish.

Have I told you snorkeling is my new favorite thing? I can float and watch those fish forever. Especially relaxing with this big belly. I had a Zen moment out there all by myself watching a big sea turtle floating on the edge of a reef with the call to prayer in my ears.





That is the color of the water, I promise. I didn't edit any of these photos. It was crystal.

The boys were reluctant to snorkel even though we'd be practicing in the pool at home. They didn't want salt water in their eyes. I understand. It stings. So we patiently persuaded and encouraged and then finally bribed them to just put the mask on and look down!

I saw a blue fish!!! screamed Gage
There's Nemo!!
Woah! I love this!!! said Noah.
Those ones have stripes!!
Did you see that Mom!!!
Now he says his favorite part of the trip was floating in the Gilis and snorkeling.

On Gili Trawangan, down the beach a little ways from where we were snorkeling was a Turtle Sanctuary. They hatch the baby turtles and then help them back out to sea. 

love stuff like that. 

Gili Trawangan also had lots of boutique hotels, shops, restaurants, diving shops, and of course a mosque being built. I had the yummiest nasi goreng for $2.

need a lift? no motor bikes allowed. 

We stayed until the sun set. Making friends. 

on Leap Day no less. 

Noah loved the idea of leap year. An extra day? That's crazy! So we had to get a leaping picture.