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Gili Meno Island, a stone throw from Lombok, Indonesia hosts a small population of local residents. With the large cultural divide of the Muslim community and ever increasing tourist numbers - it is fair to say that this is a good place to see polarities at play. The two neighbouring islands of Gili Trawangan and Gili Air complete the Gili Trio, a popular tourist destination a few hours by boat ride from Bali. Gili T often referred to as the party island, sees tourist behaviours and demands which have led to a majority of the local community leaving base and relocating to the mainland of Lombok. The polarities were simply too big, and the island is now mostly staffed by Lombok youth that commute over and stay in temporary staff accomodation. When I heard of this, while spending an extended time on Gili Meno, I instantly felt gratitude that the same hadn't happened there. Gili Meno, known as the Honeymoon island for its quiet and peace, must have been enough of a reason for the locals to stay. Tourists that come have access to basic eateries and a few shops, but nothing close to the commercial operations of the other two islands. The conservative local community have adapted well to western needs in order to make a living (being massages, fruit on the beach or small home based convenience stores), yet still hold their culture strong. The mosque is the pillar of the island where all locals have an active relationship with the religion and its protocols. Everyone knows each other. Kids play in the motor-less streets and you will 9 times out of 10 be greeted with a smile. I have been back multiple times now to Gili Meno, and in some ways consider it a home. The peace and quiet, with its untouched connection to the natural world (especially in the South) are a big drawcard, however the one that stands out the most is the relationship that's been built with a few of the locals. Udin, with his small snorkelling business "The Lovely Boat" regularly takes guests to the island out on trips in his self built glass bottom boat. His english is shaky, but his willingness to engage and be part of the joke is through the roof, if not creating the joke himself. When I walk back to my accomodation I often pass his house and get invited by his wife for a morning coffee, or breakfast, or whatever it may be they are currently doing. Once I became a familiar face I could feel the local/foreigner barrier break away where our relationship has become one of mutual acceptance. Human to human. I get invited out on boat trips, or met in the street with a 'where you go?'. There's no secrets here. Another woman, originally met through her fruit selling and massage business has become a dear friend. Again, shaky english, doesn't stop the laughs we share and the attempt of figuring out what we are saying. Nurgana her name, she often makes her own coconut oil from home to sell on the beach, which she has multiple times invited me round to watch the process. Before you know it she's cooked a meal and anything else she has to share. When hearing I needed to do a trip to Lombok for an immigration run, she readily organises her husband to support me on the mainland with a fuelled up motorbike. A theme I've noticed on the island is that once you are seem to be staying longer than the average 2 night tourist, and match the pace of island life there is infinite possibility to learn and share in a strong community of friendly locals. No longer do people on the island try to sell me souvenirs at 10 times the price, instead pass me their baby or a piece of sun-dried fruit that Nurgana and I have termed 'Pisang Matahari' an inaccurate translation to Sun Bananas.