POV of a Long-term Digital Nomad on Gili Air: Meet Jen 💪😍
1. Why did you choose Gili Air as your long-term destination? 🏝️
"It all started when I fled Bali during the busy season two years ago, and, well, I just never went back! The people and the vibe here totally sucked me in. Gili Air has everything you need day-to-day, and when you’re craving a change of scene, it’s easy to pop over to Lombok, Bali, or one of the other Gilis. But honestly, once you settle in here, why would you want to leave?" 🤷♀️
2. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about being a digital nomad on the island? 🤓
"Favorite thing? The community. It’s like finding a hidden treasure—a tight-knit expat group and locals who make you feel at home. And because the island’s so small, my social calendar is more packed than ever. No boredom here! Least favorite? I wish more digital nomads would stick around longer. It feels like everyone’s passing through. I miss the skill-sharing events from Bali—learning new things and connecting with fellow nomads is always a win.” 💪
3. Where are you from, and what do you do for work? 🇩🇪
"I’m from Germany, though I haven’t lived there since 2010. I’ve been freelancing across different fields—project management, tech support, workflow optimization...you name it. If there’s a problem, I’ll optimize it!”
4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone considering Gili Air for the long term? ⏳
"Give it a real shot! Life here moves at a slower pace, which is honestly one of the best things about Gili Air. But if you’re used to a more fast-paced environment, it might take a bit of adjusting. Stay for at least a month and give yourself time to plug into the community. Hit up the co-working space—you’ll find the long-termers like me who can show you the ropes. And if you spot me, I’m more than happy to share all the inside scoop!” 🫖
Thank you Jen! 🥰
POV of a Long-term Digital Nomad on Gili Air: Meet Patrick 💪😍
1. Why did you choose Gili Air as your long-term destination? 🏝️
- Gili Air is like Goldilocks’ perfect porridge—it’s just right. Bali’s too busy, Gili T’s a party marathon, and Lombok’s still finding its groove. But Gili Air? It’s got that sweet spot. It’s close to Bali when I need an international flight, but it still feels like a private hideaway. Plus, diving here is next-level. I started as a casual diver and ended up becoming a Dive Master. So between work and exploring underwater, this place has nailed my work-life balance. Oh, and did I mention the co-working space? Game changer. I loved it so much, I got a yearly pass!
2. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about being a Digital Nomad on the island? 👨💻
- Favorite thing? The vibe, hands down. The people, both around the island and at the co-working space, are just fantastic. Everyone’s super helpful, the equipment is top-notch (shoutout to the solar panels and 24/7 power!), and riding a bicycle on an island without cars? That’s my version of paradise. Least favorite? Ugh, accommodation can be tricky. It’s either a struggle with quality or price—but hey, can’t win ‘em all, right?
3. Where are you from, and what do you do for work? 🇨🇭
- I’m Swiss, but I work for a Swiss-Australian company in Signalling. Buzzwords? Automatic Train Operation, Protection, Interlocking—basically, I help trains behave themselves. Most of it’s remote, but every now and then, I need to get hands-on with the hardware. Turns out even old-school industries can be pretty modern 😉.
4. What’s one piece of advice you’d give someone considering Gili Air for the long term? 🤔
- Come with an open mind! There’s way more to do here than you’d expect, especially if you’re into diving—or even if you’re not yet. Trust me, Gili Air is the place to give it a go. You won’t regret it!
Thanks Pat-Pat, you absolute ledge. 🙏