We took the island hopper to Gili T. I pre-ordered two vegetable smoothies from a mini-mart. We asked around for a few snorkeling businesses. And we found one that was well-priced and could take us now.
We snorkeled in the late morning. We saw lots of colorful fish; Indonesia is one of the world’s best places to snorkel or dive. However, there’s a strong current at the Gilis. One of the crew dove 30 feet deep with only a snorkel mask and touched a sea turtle on the sea floor. It was very impressive.
I was anxious to get back in time to pick up vegetable smoothies and catch the 330pm island hopper to Meno. There were two boats. I knew one would stop for lunch first and return first. I hoped that’d be us. Fortunately, it was. Although when we returned to Gili T, I still had to run over to the mini-mart and run back to the dock by 330pm. We cut it close. And we made it. Let the journey begin.
We decided to walk from Meno’s east dock to our lodging (on the west shore) by going north around the island’s coast. We started our journey at 4pm. Two beaming, young girls greeted us on the dirt path. They appeared out of nowhere. They gave us each a flower that “protects” the island from volcanic eruptions. I wondered if they were soliciting a donation. But they assured me it was free. It was good energy for the island. We each took one, said goodbye, and continued northward.
We stopped at the northwestern tip to explore the alien beach landscape. I observed deserted boats, boney rocks, and gnarly, bare trees amongst the mixed sand. I turned around, looking inland, to see an array of tall green flowers. They were smiling at me, I swear.
We walked back to our lodge, the Good Heart. I sat on a rock and took in the golden sunlight. My gaze fell not on the golden sun itself, but on that which its light fell–the shore, the sand, the benches, the (few) people.
I realized that it is best to take in the golden hour, not looking toward the sun, but away from it. Look at what the sun is casting its gold upon. That is worth your gaze.
We took a seat in the Sunset Gecko cafe. We agreed it was much better kept than our lodge’s cafe. We observed the post-sunset purple hues fallen on the desert fauna around us. It was purple time.
We probably sat there for an hour, and none of the staff bothered us–even for a menu. They knew Jameelah and I were in our own world.
Speaking of which, the other guests were also in their own worlds–on an individual or couple basis.
The staff was in a collective world of their own. There was definitely something going down behind the scenes. Gili Meno is one peculiar island.
Now it was dark again. And the galaxies amazed me again. I saw so many shooting stars, I lost count. There must be life out there–somewhere.
