"Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, this wey plaise!"
Got on board the island hopper and 20 minutes later we were on Gili Meno. We met a couple that runs a place here, Kike and Lucy, maoMeno. It's a bit of a walk. As soon as you get off the boat turn left and walk towards Blue Marlin dive shop, just after the shop, there is a right turn down a dirt road, take that and walk straight on. You'll come to a school and at the school you'll see a sign for 'Yoga', follow the road around and keep walking. About 10 minutes later you'll come to a house on your left, and on your right you should see a sign that says Meno Dream. At this point look up on your left, you'll see a door way frame that says maoMeno on the top. Take that dirt road down and you'll come to a field filled with cow poop. At this point you'll see some houses and bamboo fences. You've reached maoMeno, and now you have to look for Kike.
Got on board the island hopper and 20 minutes later we were on Gili Meno. We met a couple that runs a place here, Kike and Lucy, maoMeno. It's a bit of a walk. As soon as you get off the boat turn left and walk towards Blue Marlin dive shop, just after the shop, there is a right turn down a dirt road, take that and walk straight on. You'll come to a school and at the school you'll see a sign for 'Yoga', follow the road around and keep walking. About 10 minutes later you'll come to a house on your left, and on your right you should see a sign that says Meno Dream. At this point look up on your left, you'll see a door way frame that says maoMeno on the top. Take that dirt road down and you'll come to a field filled with cow poop. At this point you'll see some houses and bamboo fences. You've reached maoMeno, and now you have to look for Kike.
maoMeno on Gili Meno.
I have to say, this place is stunning. Kike has built this place up on his own, designing and building open concept of rooms to accommodate different needs. We were lucky to get the bamboo hut with two rooms, plus the shower area has an open skylight where you feel like you are having a shower outdoors. It's really beautiful and peaceful as there is not many people here and even then, it's still serene with the sounds of the ocean.
Beautiful accommodation, peaceful and just tranquil. maoMeno is a wonderful retreat for those seek some peace and quiet. It's a yoga retreat as well so for those who are into yoga, checkout their website for more information.
The ocean is close by, 10 minutes walk and you get to the beach where it's known as the 'Bounty'. You'll have to pass by an abandon resort by the beach before you get to the beach. It's beautiful with not many people and there is a really good little eatery place just further down on your right called Sasak. Amazing food and really good prices.
To get to the other side of the beach, you'll have to ask Kike as it can get a little complicated. But if in doubt, just ask the locals. They are really nice and would be happy to point you in the right direction. I got lost getting to the beach and one of the locals was nice enough to accompany me till I found my friends. They are really sweet and genuinely nice.
To get to the other side of the beach, you'll have to ask Kike as it can get a little complicated. But if in doubt, just ask the locals. They are really nice and would be happy to point you in the right direction. I got lost getting to the beach and one of the locals was nice enough to accompany me till I found my friends. They are really sweet and genuinely nice.
Green Turtle, Moray Eel and Batfish. Spotted at Han's Reef.
I did 3 dives over 2 days with Blue Marlin. The guys at the dive shop are pretty good. I dived with Edy, Sulman, Andrew and Philip. Both foreign and local dive guides and dive masters are very well equipped, as they should be, and know their dive sites well. I did Hans Reef first, that's where I saw my first Green Turtle. Amazing! They are so huge and beautiful. Mostly lying asleep and we chanced on one that took off on a swim to the surface. Also saw my first Ghost Pipefish.
A Spotted Ray somewhere on Han's Reef.
On the second day, I dived as Secret Reef where we went down to 25m. Down here you'll be able to spot the Pygme Seahorse in the sea fans. Didn't manage to spot one but the reef is beautiful, plus the marine life is lush. The next dive I did was at Bounty Wreck. You can see this wreck when you snorkel but when you dive, you can see beneath the wreck where most of the marine life stay hidden. We saw two huge Sweetlips and lots of Batfish, Angelfish and Clownfish. The wreck also has a few bicycles. It's quite a sigh, and the corals here are pretty. Managed to see a Moray Eel, Hawksbill Turtle, Ghost Pipefish, Snowflake Moray Eel and a school of Surgeon fish amongst Wrasses, big Trigger fish and many more. On our way back, spotted Devil Rays just below the surface. It's the season apparently.
The beach down South, where the Bounty Wreck is situated.
Blue Marlin does 3 dives a day, 0900h, 1130h and 1430h. They have a dive shop on every island and they charge USD35 per fun dive and anything more than 5 fun dives, you get 10% off. It's standard almost everywhere on the islands. All of the dive shops use the same little boats where you have to do a back crawl to get into the water. It's my first time and it's pretty interesting. Plus when you have to get back on the boat again, now that's the 'fun' part.
Getting onto a little boat after a dive:
Take off you weight belt.
Take off BCD and pass to boat crew.
Hands on the edge of boat, push yourself up and belly roll into the boat.
TADA! You are back in the boat. It takes a while getting used too. I had a really good time diving with Blue Marlin. The are just a joy and a wonderful bunch to chill with.
Getting onto a little boat after a dive:
Take off you weight belt.
Take off BCD and pass to boat crew.
Hands on the edge of boat, push yourself up and belly roll into the boat.
TADA! You are back in the boat. It takes a while getting used too. I had a really good time diving with Blue Marlin. The are just a joy and a wonderful bunch to chill with.
Feels like I own the beach.
Food on the island is wonderful. I had lunch at Warung Yaya, which is just north of Blue Marlin, about 10-15 minutes walk. Food is good and cheap but their coconut milkshake is to die for. It's so creamy and refreshing! But if you get there during dinner time, when they are busy, it can be a really long wait. You have to remember that all these little places are run by family and the person in the kitchen is not a chef rather like your mum cooking. So it will take some time but it's made with love. Apart from Sasak and Yaya, Meno Dream, close to maoMeno have excellent food. Cost a bit more but it's really good food.
Just follow the white coconuts from maoMeno and take a right on the path when you see a house to your right. If the gate is shut, just shout out and some one will get to you. They are only open for breakfast and dinner and we just about managed to find the place in the dark. It gets dark at 7pm here so having a good torch is handy as the roads here are not too well lit. The food and the presentation at Meno Dream is amazing, the Gnocchi is freshly made when you order so it taste just heavenly. The Pelencing Ayam (BBQ chicken) I had came with rice and accompanied with a beautiful barbecued aubergine salad. I've not come across such amazing mixture of palate in a while. I highly recommend everyone a meal here when visiting Gili Meno.
Just follow the white coconuts from maoMeno and take a right on the path when you see a house to your right. If the gate is shut, just shout out and some one will get to you. They are only open for breakfast and dinner and we just about managed to find the place in the dark. It gets dark at 7pm here so having a good torch is handy as the roads here are not too well lit. The food and the presentation at Meno Dream is amazing, the Gnocchi is freshly made when you order so it taste just heavenly. The Pelencing Ayam (BBQ chicken) I had came with rice and accompanied with a beautiful barbecued aubergine salad. I've not come across such amazing mixture of palate in a while. I highly recommend everyone a meal here when visiting Gili Meno.
Beautiful sunset.
Gili Meno is very much a sleepy little island with nothing much to do except dive and relax. A lot of websites would tell you that it's a honeymooners island but then again it's not. If you need some time off to unwind and relax, this is the place to be as it's peaceful, serene and calming. Everyone is relaxed, in slow mode, happy and friendly.
I'm definitely coming here again! The sounds of the ocean from my room, good food, scuba diving and a hammock... It's perfect! One week retreat here and I'm fully charged.
Next up: The party island, Gili Trawangan.
p.s: I just found out that magic mushrooms are harvested on cow poop. After heavy rainfall during monsoon season, these magic mushrooms start to sprout on the cow dung. Technically you are tripping on cow poop!
I'm definitely coming here again! The sounds of the ocean from my room, good food, scuba diving and a hammock... It's perfect! One week retreat here and I'm fully charged.
Next up: The party island, Gili Trawangan.
p.s: I just found out that magic mushrooms are harvested on cow poop. After heavy rainfall during monsoon season, these magic mushrooms start to sprout on the cow dung. Technically you are tripping on cow poop!