Go Away! To the Gili Islands If you’re ever lucky enough to find yourself in Bali or Lombok in Indonesia – leave. No, not really, but get off the mainland and spend as long as you possibly can exploring the beautiful Gili Islands nearby. You won’t hear anyone saying a bad thing about these beautiful islands quite simply because they are flawless. The three islands show off a range of diversity that satisfies any island fantasy from a remote, hut-dwelling experience to an all night beach party. There are no motorised vehicles on the islands so public transport takes the form of rather jolly rickshaws or horse drawn carts. Gili Air is the most populated of the 3 islands and is only 5km away from Lombok. You can watch the sun rise over the Rinjani volcano, Lombok, and set over Mount Agung, Bali. This beautiful island is the place to go to get away from the crowds, to learn to scuba dive or to experience the best in luxury accommodation and beautiful Indonesian food. Gili Meno is the smallest, quietest and cheapest island and its quiet atmosphere makes it the perfect spot to chill out by the sea in a hammock and forget about the rest of the world. Gili Trawagan (or Gili T, to those in the know) is known as the party island. If you want to go diving, do it here in the Gilis – this beautiful spot has a wealth of underwater beauty to rival that above. There are even giant turtles living in the waters around Gili T that you’ll find easily enough with a snorkel and mask. If you want a taste of paradise, it doesn’t get much better than this. [Rose Howie]
Embrace Scottish Snow
Nevis Range
Do you ever listen to people talking about their Jack Wills sponsored Christmas skiing holidays to the quaint wooden chalets in the Alps and just think – ‘Shut up, ya?’ Just me? Well now is the time to reclaim your right to hit the slopes without wearing pyjama bottoms or Ugg boots. All around this beautiful country of ours are plenty spots to get out in the snow. If the last 2 years are anything to go by, we’re in for a snowy December so check out ski. visitscotland.com for information about Scotland’s own ski resorts. From the Nevis Range to Glenshee there are slopes for all levels and several
off-piste opportunities for the real adrenaline junkies out there. If all else fails and by some miracle we have a warm winter, check out Braehead’s SNO!Zone, an indoor slope with temperatures of -5ºC for the realistic snow experience. There’s also great fun to be had at Midlothian’s Hillend Ski Centre (just outside Edinburgh). From skiing, snow blading and snowboarding to sledging or the hilarious tubing, there’s something for everyone and lessons are available at both. Beware of Hillend’s artificial carpet-snow however – it burns – so make sure you’re all wrapped up, maybe in cotton wool. [Rose Howie]
Patria O Muerte – Images of Cuba From 2 December a new virtual shop/gallery will be opening online, selling affordable, limited edition prints by a selection of seven Scottish artists, all of whom have previously been displayed in the Showcase section of The Skinny. Ross Fraser McLean is presenting a collection of photographs taken in Cuba in 2009 on the anniversary of the revolution, capturing some of the contradictions of a Caribbean Communist land riddled with poverty and steeped in nostalgia.
The high quality prints are produced on 310gsm German etching paper, and range in size from 30x40cm to 60x80cm. Prices start at just £75, and the venture is supported by Own Art, which provides you with an interest free loan to spread the cost of buying an artwork across ten months. You can see and buy the full collections online at www.theskinny.co.uk/shop or www.culturelabel.com
December 2011
THE SKINNY 41