I was "forewarned" that Gili Meno is much quieter than Gili Trawangan, but I was surprised how different the two islands are. The main road around the island is hardly asphalted, almost entirely sandy roads that you can sink into or a somewhat firmer dirt road alternate - so it is much more difficult to get around here by bike, for example. There is much less infrastructure such as ATMs and supermarkets. The restaurants here are also more original, there are mainly restaurants with local cuisine and the sanitary facilities at the restaurants are very basic, to put it nicely (so always remember to carry disinfectant 😊). So the advantage of a much quieter island does not come without drawbacks.
I used my time on Gili Meno more to relax and also to update my blog entries. Therefore, my recommendations of what to do on this island are very brief.
What you can do here, in any case, is enjoy the peace and quiet on the beautiful deserted beaches and practise doing nothing.
Saltwater lake
Gili Meno is home to a saltwater lake, which can be found near the west coast of the island. You can also walk around the lake, which is about 8 hectares in size, in a few minutes on a small wooden walkway right next to mangrove forests.
Attention: When I walked along this boardwalk (September 2023), it was in a very bad structural condition. Many wooden slats were missing, so you had to pay very close attention to where you were climbing and the wood creaked very loudly under stress - I was glad to be back on solid ground again after walking around it. If you are lucky, you can see various birds near the lake, which you can watch comfortably from one of the viewing platforms.
Sunset in the west of the island
On the beautiful beaches in the west of the island, you can watch the sunset in one of the many beach bars. What could be better than sitting comfortably on a beautiful beach with your favourite drink and watching the sun disappear as a small red ball of fire on the horizon, while the sky turns various shades of yellow/orange/red and pink?
You can find out where you can sit in a particularly cosy atmosphere or enjoy culinary delights in the restaurant recommendations.
Restaurant recommendations
Umar Resto
Located near the harbour on Gili Meno, the restaurant is right on the beach and has a great décor. Ornate wooden tables and flowers with a beach backdrop create a relaxing atmosphere.
Mainly Indonesian cuisine is served here at very fair prices. A few other dishes like pizza and burgers are also on the menu. I can highly recommend the Nasi Goreng here.
Almost directly next to the Umar Resto is the restaurant "Mama Melanie", also directly on the beach. Apart from the good nasi goreng, I remember this place mainly because of the friendly staff. They like to joke around and take time to chat. I learned a bit more about the country and its people here 😊
Diana Café
This restaurant in the west of the island is also directly on the beach and offers both normal tables and chill lounges to linger. The prices are very good and I highly recommend the pineapple pancake here.
Malfina
This place is right next to the Diana Café and was my top spot to watch the sunset. There are various seating options - from sun loungers, chill chairs to normal tables, and they served cyclists (which is not a given for places on this island).
My absolute favourite place on Gili Meno! Located inland on a very inconspicuous path, not many tourists pass by here, at least during the day. In the evening, it is probably THE top address for dinner for the guests of the nearby hotels. I have eaten the best vegetable curry on my trip so far and drunk the best fruit juices. Everything here is extremely fresh, the place is cosily decorated and there is pleasant music playing in the background. On top of that, it was the cheapest meal I had on Gili Meno - an unbeatable combination.
There's very good wifi in the place and I've stayed here more often to write my posts 😊
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