Gili T. Not the party island I expected
When people imagine a tropical island, they often picture perfect white sand beaches, crystal-clear water and palm trees swaying in the breeze.
And yes, Gili Trawangan has some sort of that.
But what I loved most about this little island was not just the postcard-perfect moments. It was the contrast.
The beauty mixed with the chaos.
The old buildings.
The dusty streets.
The bicycles clunking along.
The horses and carts weaving their way through the crowds.
The little back alleys where you never quite knew what you would find.
Gili Trawangan was not what I expected - and that’s exactly why I enjoyed it.
Not the party island I expected
I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant about visiting Gili Trawangan.
I had always heard it described as the party island — a place known for backpackers, late nights and people drinking until sunrise.
And while I’m sure that side of the island exists, I never saw it.
I was genuinely surprised by how peaceful it felt.
Instead of endless partying, I found families, couples and travellers of all ages enjoying the island. There were lots of European visitors, and the overall atmosphere felt relaxed and easygoing.
I didn’t see streets full of drunk people wandering around, and we weren’t kept awake by loud music or partying.
Admittedly, we weren’t out late at night - usually heading back to our villa around 9pm — but even then, the island felt calm and comfortable.
For me, Gili Trawangan was much more than its reputation.
It was a place to ride bikes, explore, swim with turtles, slow down and enjoy island life.
Sometimes a place’s reputation doesn’t quite match the reality, and I’m really glad I gave Gili T a chance.
An island without cars
One of the first things you notice when you arrive on Gili Trawangan is what you don’t see.
Cars.
There are no cars on the island, and that completely changes the feeling of the place.
Instead, people get around by bicycle, electric bikes, walking or the traditional horse-drawn carts known as cidomo.
When you arrive by boat, you have a choice: walk with your luggage, hire a bicycle, or jump on a horse and cart to take you to your accommodation.
You’ll often see travellers making their way down the streets pulling suitcases behind them - a very different arrival experience from most holiday destinations.
And honestly, I loved it (when I didn’t have to lug the suitcase).
The lack of cars creates a slower pace, even when the streets themselves can feel wonderfully chaotic.
Exploring by bicycle
The best way to experience Gili Trawangan is by bicycle.
Walking is possible, but cycling allows you to explore much more of the island and discover little corners you might otherwise miss.
Although don’t expect a smooth ride!
Our bikes had definitely seen better days.
Seats that refused to stay up, stands that constantly collapsed, chains that decided to come off at the most inconvenient moments, and a constant clunking sound as we made our way around.
But somehow, that was part of the fun.
It wasn’t about having the perfect bike.
It was about laughing, exploring and enjoying the adventure.
The streets of Gili Trawangan
The main road circles the island, but the real charm is found when you turn down the smaller side streets.
Some are paved.
Some are dusty.
Many feel more like little back alleys than roads.
You’ll find crumbling buildings, unfinished structures and places that look like they have been forgotten. Yet somehow, amongst all of this, there is still beauty.
The tropical plants growing around old walls.
The colours.
The people.
The little moments of daily life happening around you.
It’s a place where you can see the imperfections, but they somehow add to the character.
Beauty amongst the craziness
At times, Gili Trawangan feels busy and chaotic.
Electric bikes whizz past.
Bicycles weave around pedestrians.
Horse and carts make their way through the streets.
People are laughing, carrying bags, heading to the beach or simply going about their day.
But underneath all of that movement is a sense of peace.
Maybe it’s because there are no cars.
Maybe it’s because island life naturally slows people down.
Or maybe it’s because you’re surrounded by ocean, sunshine and a community that lives at a different pace.
A photographer’s perspective
For me, Gili Trawangan was a place full of stories.
Not just the beautiful beaches and turquoise water, but the everyday details.
The streets.
The bikes.
The textures of old buildings.
The contrast between new and old.
The little moments that show what life is really like on the island.
Sometimes the most interesting places aren’t the ones that are perfectly polished.
Sometimes they’re the places where beauty exists alongside the imperfections.
And Gili Trawangan is definitely one of those places.
It reminded me that sometimes the places we almost don’t visit become the ones we remember most.
