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Gili Islands Travel Guide (why we're not going back)

Alexander White

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We just returned from our trip traveling the Gili Islands, here's a guide on everything you need to know and why we're not returning again.

🇮🇩 GILI THINGS TO DO
→ 2-DAYS Climb To Rinjani Summit: http://go.alexandwhite.com/Rinjani-Su...
→ 2-Day Mount Rinjani Crater Rim Tour: http://go.alexandwhite.com/MtRinjani-...
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🗺️ TRAVEL GUIDES
→ Indonesia Travel Guide: How to Travel Indonesia (Complete Travel G...
→ Turkey Travel Guide: How to Travel Turkey in 14 Days - Complete...
→ Gili Islands Travel Guide: Gili Islands Travel Guide (why we're not g...
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#gili #giliislands #lombok

20 Comments

@ursdreyer3122 3 years ago

It's not about the money, it's about the hassle, Indonesia is becoming more and more ridiculous...
Tourist tax, arrival tax, departure tax, daily tax, snorkeling tax, clown tax... 🤡

@tj28308 2 years ago

A local from Lombok here. It is always a better option, albeit more pricey, to fly from Bali to Lombok, stay in Lombok (if possible), then take the boat to the Gilis. Less hassle, less stress mentally and physically. And don't forget to being bottled water everywhere, especially on the boat, the heat just sucks the energy out of you.

@notabiologist9865 2 years ago

Fly to Lombok...spend a couple of nights there...then boat Lombok to Gili's

@Perlina09 2 years ago

I read you in the comments saying that you haven’t been to other Gili islands although you have been to Gili T more than once. That’s a bit shame, also because this video doesn’t help out me to decide to go there or not because putting together all the Gilis it might add up to a worthwhile experience.

@TaylorAMiles 2 years ago

We are in Ubud, its been ten years, everyone told us Bali is ruined. I would have to say I agree. Its really sad. The people are still amzing, its still beautiful, but its not the same as it once was. But honesly I think your splitting hairs on the tax of under $4 dollars. Thats the price of a water in western countries.

@freeandfreefree 2 years ago

Same, travelling there is a nightmare, we didn't have to pay tax. Our boat was cancelled on the way back. Next time ( if we go back ) fly to Lombok and get a boat from Lombok to Gili T. Hotel was fantastic.

@MagdaBainbridgr 7 months ago

I’ve traveled to 51 different countries and quite happy when I’m charged the taxes . Someone has to clear all the rubbish tourist leave on these small island and why should cleaning the beaches come out of community taxes . I’m going for a month this April and quite aware of the boat trip from Bali as my son did a travel for a month before and after Xmas and recommended only staying a few days on Gili T then head to Gili air and memo . You definitely haven’t put me off as I’ve experienced a lot worse traveling all over the Philippines islands . At least we’re not traveling in high season!

@edwardstern3103 1 year ago

We have just been to Gili T and had a different experience. We really liked it. Especially this chilled traffic by bikes, horses and e-scooters. Certainly the island is not untouched anymore, like maybe 50 years ago. But there are many friendly and well run businesses we appreciated. Good food and lots of good vibes. We stayed 10 days...Happy to pay tax again on our next visit;-)

@boredstrayingtheinternet2557 3 years ago (edited)

So happy we've been there 1992. Just a deserted little island in the ocean, like in a picture book...(There were no shops, no streets, just five huts and a vast, white, clean beach.)

@Mh19927 3 years ago (edited)

I just left Gili T. I’m only a few minutes into you’re video but I can tell you I will never go back. From the inconvenience of the ferry’s, to the bullshit made up “taxes”, to the insane crowds, to so so so much more. Not at all what I was expecting. Grateful for the experience but not interested in returning.

*Not sure why you’re not allowed to be honest about your experience. Commenters taking offense to it is wild! I wish I would’ve seen this video sooner actually.

@csjaugiedog 1 year ago

My first time on Trawangan was 1991. There was no electricity or fresh water. At night, the beach was mostly dark except for a few lanterns and people with flashlights. All "resorts" were of nipa-hut construction, with no concrete structures at all. Everything was along the beach (nothing interior to the Island). Gili Meno and Gili Air were entirely uninhabited. If I were to visit there today, I would probably break down and CRY!

@IIblackwidowII 3 years ago

Is it the same case for other Gilis? That crowd though. I never been to Gili Trawangan but Gili Air pre Covid time. It was one of the best. Less crowd and I could relax the whole time there. Good to see tourists are back to boost up the economy, but I'm not a fan of touristy places.

@Ebrown4949 2 years ago

The easy way go to gili actually from lombok island .n the boat also cheap from there only about $1-8 for 30 minutes.n if you want go to bali from Lombok island by air plane that only take 30 minutes cost lest then $100

@bluestarfishsea 3 years ago

I hope the port taxes go to reef restoration or island or port improvements, it’s such a small amount but can add up with constant flow of visitors who really impact the beauty of the islands…it’s smart they have a tax to prepare for these negative impacts

@sanjistheseasidecabanas5051 4 months ago

In the past, when you arrive in Bali, you can simply give the filled arrival card you receive on the plane to the immigration in two or three minutes and the problem will be solved, but now the newly introduced digital system is very complicated. The guest relations officers infront of the immigration desk at the airport gather in one place to give advice on this and spend their time chatting with each other, but they do not seem to be helping foreigners. and give information what they need One officer, without any hesitation, asked a Romanian national for $20 to help him to make the digital arrival card

@heyerina_ 2 years ago

Great video Alex! Just wondering what camera and audio equipment do you use? :)

@NurmanMus 2 years ago

Thank you for sharing this video. I was planning to visit in December but seems not worthwhile. Do you have any suggestions for beautiful islands to visit in mid-December?

@rebeccamorris1788 1 year ago

Visited the Gili Islands back in 2016 and LOVED it. Going back to Bali next month and was considering heading back there but now I'm thinking maybe not, things seem to have changed ALOT - thanks for the informative video!

@tRoPiCaLTrEv 2 years ago

Gillis were over more than 15 years ago. I remember when it was mostly bamboo huts and a few upscale rentals. Boats weren’t allowed to anchor on front beach. Passed through on my way to Desert Point on Lombok around 6 years ago and was horrified. Never again!

@DerUnbekannte 1 year ago

afaik the tax on arrival is a harbor tax, if you get in somewhere else (like the ferry from lombok the locals also take) you won't pay this, we hopped off onto the beach and that was it
not that it's a lot of money either way, but the lines seem annoying
tbh I found getting there and back (via lombok) pretty straightforward, the reason I won't be going back again is that the entire island of gili t reeks of desperation and selling themselves and their island to tourists
still very pretty though