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Magical Gili Trawangan Swing Above The Ocean

Magical Gili Trawangan Swing Above The Ocean

Floating above crystal clear water to the backdrop of an amazing sunset, the Gili Trawangan swing is a great way to spend a sunset. First of all, let’s correct the title above, it should read: Gili Trawangan Swings 

What we were expecting: One magical swing hanging inches above the water in front of a vibrant sunset backdrop. A blissful moment to remember as we swung above the ocean, enjoying the salty aromatic breeze.

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What it was actually like: 8 swings within 800 yards of each other, branded with hotel names plastered above the swings as part of a social media marketing strategy. Lines of up to 15 people waited for their moment of social media glory, posing on the swing without even swinging back and forth once. Photographers from hotels taking photographs and selling them to tourists of their swinging “adventure.”

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Well to be honest we were expecting a short line and a bit of a buzz around the swings as they are immensely popular on Instagram and social media. That is how we found out about them after all. We didn’t expect this to be a glorious natural wonder that we accidentally stumbled upon along a deserted stretch of sand.

This is purely a photo location with almost no adventure to be had. A good time with drinks, dinner, sunset, and friends is a certainty but I didn’t feel an ounce of whimsy and actually decided I’d rather not pose on the Gili Trawangan Swing.

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However, after having come so far (25 min walk from the harbor side of Gili Trawangan Island) and waiting all day for the sunset, Jessie decided she may as well at least get our edition of a photo we had seen, so many times on Instagram. Despite both feeling like we were selling our souls, the picture did end up turning out with unexpected results despite no real red or orange tones in the sky.

 Gili Trawangan swing location

If you are wondering where is the Gili Trawangan Swing? All you need to do is head to the Ombak or Pandawa resort. We spent the day lounging at both resorts before enjoying the sunset. This side of the island is a bit of a ghost town during the day, which was a nice change from the crowds of the east side/harbor side of Gili Trawangan.

Overall the Gili Trawangan Swing(s) is more of a production line as photographic proof that you had an awesome time on a remote island in paradise. It is hard for your friends to argue back against a swing in the ocean.

There are countless locations that look amazing on Instagram, the internet, or in brochures, which are a total letdown once you actually arrive there. Almost all of my favorite places have been the ones that I wasn’t expecting.

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Yousuf

Thursday 5th of July 2018

Hey there, that was a very honest take on what tourism has turned into these days.. Utter commercial. By the way, I was looking for details as to if this swing is accessible to all!? Do you need to stay in those high end resort to be able to snap that picture? Do they actually have a price fixed per photo? Amy photographer taking it or we need to hackle it out. Many such details will actually help other like me planning to Gili Island to take a call if or not to go for it!

Thursday 14th of June 2018

Thanks for this!!!

Alaine

Thursday 8th of September 2016

As cheesy as the swing sounds and of course other similar tourist attractions, it is a snapshot to share to friends as a souvenir. If a picture becomes a conversation starter, a flash of a memory of a place and brings joy then there's no harm in taking the picture. The photographers taking and selling the photos are trying to make a living with their craft. I used to intern at a large hotel company in social media and this kind of attraction brings guests participation to share photos in social media. It is brilliant because it's a simple photo. Hotels bring economy to a place like Gilli and employs locals and/or invested by a local. It's not such a terrible idea that a place could bring revenue to an area otherwise would be a ghost town. I hate touristic sights because of the sheer amount of tourists, but then you realize that those sights are something different, something extraordinary, or something historical. As a traveler, we can embrace being a tourist and through experience we know what the traps are and when there's a more local experience that will give us a better memory. Example: eating at a place where hardly any English menus are found and just pointing to what looks good. Just my two cents. I would totally swing and take a photo if I was there ????

Jackson & Jessie

Friday 9th of September 2016

Hi Alaine, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I totally get what you are saying. I found the swing a little too much of a promotion from the hotel rather than a fun activity. Having said that it is still unique and why we still felt the urge to participate and follow the crowd. Nothing wrong with being part of a tourist trap every now and again. Happy Travels