Two things immediately struck me as I arrived on Gili Trawangan. First of all, there was no traffic to speak of, and, secondly, what’s with all the cats?
The largest of Indonesia’s three Gili islands, Gili Trawangan is a peaceful, cat lover’s paradise. No cars, scooters or dogs inhabit the island – just lots and lots of cats.
Seemingly hundreds of felines roam the island’s streets and restaurants, lounging next to hotel pools and on beach chairs, jostling for scraps whenever and wherever people eat. My fiancé – a cat lover – was in her element, as were a lot of people who’d share their beach chairs with the small animals.
Most cats on the island are surprisingly affectionate, living something of a nomadic lifestyle as they roam around looking for food and affection. And most have either curled or stumpy tails, perhaps as a result of isolated breeding.
Now, dog lovers may feel slightly aggrieved by news of a cat-only island in Indonesia – but it’s on religious grounds that man’s best friend has been banned from Gili Trawangan, considering most of the island’s inhabitants are Muslim.
Gili Trawangan: no dogs, no cars, no worries – unless you’re allergic to cats.
Man vs World will feature more about Gili Trawangan in the future; manly stuff, like the remarkable true story of my tussle with a sea snake and a turtle (not at the same time). Until then, happy travels!
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Mariza
5 July 2012 at 20:05 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
I’ve swam from Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno (and return) back in 2009. that was awesome! but i wont recommend anyone to do to the same! it’s too dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. LOL
Simon Petersen
6 July 2012 at 04:29 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
I wanted to give it a go but there was no way my girlfriend was going to let me!
Andrea
27 June 2012 at 11:25 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
I think I’d like the island of cats! I took a photo a day of the cats of Greece, so this sounds like paradise! You got some good shots of them too!
Simon Petersen
27 June 2012 at 12:02 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
Yeah, my fiance had a ball taking photos of them all! And we both remember the cats of Greece fondly
Sonja
23 June 2012 at 07:27 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
Guess I can’t go there with my husband – he’s very allergic. I’d love it though!
Simon Petersen
23 June 2012 at 08:09 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
Yeah, maybe the Gili Islands wouldn’t be his idea of paradise then! Poor guy
Rarusu Chin
22 June 2012 at 13:41 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
i stumbled upon this post via RT by @DocWends.
wow i never expected an island that is really abundant of cats!(?). but at first thought… i really though that @DocWends meant an island of “men”! haha which is because the locals here in our place sometimes refer “men” as “cats”. but wouldn’t it be interesting also if an island of “cats/men” would also probably exist? Lol…
great post by the way! really… indeed… surprising!! ^^
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Simon Petersen
22 June 2012 at 14:03 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
Haha, I didn’t know that! This post would have been surprising for you then!
Doc Wends of Journeys and Travels
22 June 2012 at 13:25 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
that could very well called Cat island haha. it is unusual for a place like that teeming with foreigners that do not have cars, bikes, dogs except cat.
I knew you enjoyed there. Cheers Simon
Simon Petersen
22 June 2012 at 13:31 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
Cheers! It’s a great place to visit – and such a relief to get away from traffic for a while!
The cheeky monkeys of Ubud’s Monkey Forest | Man vs World
14 May 2013 at 17:30 (UTC 12) Link to this comment
[...] to see more of Indonesia’s local wildlife?Then check out Gili Trawangan: island of the cats and the time I swam with sea snakes and [...]