Gili Trawangan
INDONESIA
the famous gilies were not what we expected – read on the find out why.
A Disheartening Visit to Gili Trawangan
We arrived on Gili Trawangan in the Gili Islands from Bali, filled with anticipation and curiosity about what all the hype was about. As we stepped onto the island, we were greeted by the quintessential white sand beaches and turquoise waters that people dream about. Known for their vibrant marine life and popular dive spots, the Gili Islands promised an idyllic getaway.
However, as we explored further, our initial excitement began to wane. The islands have all the natural beauty one could hope for, but the problem of rubbish was impossible to ignore. Everywhere we looked, there was garbage. While the resorts and accommodation providers worked diligently to keep their stretch of beach clean, every vacant piece of land seemed to be a dumping ground for waste. It was disheartening to see such a stark contrast between the pristine areas maintained by the resorts and the neglected, trash-laden vacant lots.
The problem became even more apparent when we tried to enjoy the ocean. At times, when the tide was coming in, it was nearly impossible to walk into the water without floating garbage clinging to our legs. The sight of plastic bags and bottles mingling with the waves was a sobering reminder of the environmental impact of unchecked waste.
While it’s easy to blame tourism for this issue, I’ve visited many popular tourist spots in other developing countries that seem to manage their garbage much better. There is a glaring need for better waste management practices and a more concerted effort to preserve the natural beauty of these islands.
Despite the allure of the Gili Islands’ natural scenery, the garbage problem overshadowed our experience. There are countless stunning islands around the world that manage to maintain their beauty while accommodating tourists, and I would choose any of those over the Gilis. The potential of these islands is immense, but until the waste issue is addressed, it’s hard to fully enjoy what they have to offer.
There are loads of stunning islands in the world I’d choose over the Gilies.
