She has travelled around the world, met locals from many different countries, worked in different positions and tasted food from every corner of the globe - but this one specific place made her feel like home. Julie Thonnard arrived in Gili Air more than 8 years ago, and she immediately fell in love with this tiny paradise island. But what makes Gili Air so unique to Julie?
“What made me fall in love with Gili Air that many years ago and still makes me wanna call it home today, is the locals. They have so much heart. I was traveling for 7 years as a scuba instructor - I travelled around the world, but on Gili Air, I just felt like I was a part of the family, so I stayed. Plus the beach, great food, the diving and awesome yoga”.
Julie is originally from Brussels, but she felt there was something special about Gili Air. She likes the small and simple things such as the fact, that she doesn’t have to wear a jacket every day, and that there is absolutely no traffic on the island.
Gili Air is a vehicle-free island and the only way to get around the small streets through the local village and the white sand beaches near the coast is by foot, bicycle or one of the local horse carts;“ Also the fact that i can just walk around barefoot - it’s like this perfect island of barefoot luxury - just have a coconut. It’s naturally a place where you can heal, slow down and definitely rethink your speed of life ”
