Gili Air & Gili Meno

brilliant blue coral. The best place for snorkelling, meanwhile, is at Blue Coral Point off the northeast coast, where the reef showcases numerous species of coral and colourful fish. At night, divers can witness huge Moray eels and the entertaining Spanish dancers, baby cuttlefish and a whole array of crustacians. Gili Meno has a small local infrastructure that includes a medical clinic and a primary school. Services include simple shops, internet cafes, money changers and the Gili Meno Tourist Information Centre. The dining scene is predominantly local cafes, serving grilled fish on the beach, as well as tasty Indonesian, Western (especially pizzas) and even the local Sasak cuisine, all with reasonable prices and some with stunning views of the mountains and sunsets. Snorkelling equipment can be hired from any of the local operators. There are secluded beaches all around the island; the sea is safe for swimming close to the shore although the currents can be very strong further out. There are also environmental attractions, which can be enjoyed by children and adults alike; this includes the 2,500-sqm, walk through, covered bird park with a colourful and exotic collection of species from Asia and Australia, including peafowls, pheasants, hornbills, macaws and parrots. The Bird Park is located inland at Gili Indah Village. Gili Meno is famous for its sea turtles but, without help, the survival of these beautiful creatures is endangered. At the turtle nursery on Meno, the hatchlings are kept in holding tanks until they are large and healthy enough to be released into the sea. Visitors can take part in this release programme. Small donations are welcome for this worthy cause.