When I traveled Lombok, I avoided Gili Trawangan. With its reputation as a party island packed with tourists, it just didn’t seem like my kind of place. I’d heard all about the busy nightlife, the endless parties, and the crowds, and I felt that visiting would mean stepping into a bubble of tourism that I had no real interest in. For a while, I was pretty determined to skip it altogether, preferring to stick with the more laid-back spots on Lombok where I felt I could better connect with the local atmosphere.

But as time passed and I settled into my new life here, I ended up visiting Gili Trawangan a few times with local friends. Going with people who know the island on a deeper level completely changed my experience. They introduced me to parts of Gili Trawangan that most visitors don’t notice—the quieter, local spots away from the main strip. I’ve met a lot of people through these friends and gradually built connections that make the island feel a little less like a tourist hotspot and a little more like a community.

Even though Gili T still has that party vibe it’s famous for, I’ve learned there’s more to it than that. If you know where to go, you can find peaceful beaches, cozy warungs, and places where you can really relax. These are the corners of the island that feel most meaningful to me, and they give me a more balanced view of Gili Trawangan as a whole. It’s not just about the parties; it’s about discovering where the island’s true character lies.