Trash everywhere, alternating droughts/flooding... the place is a desert. You need to bring cash and exchange on the black market otherwise ATMs will rape you (you'll get about 20% of the true value at the "official" rate). The food is terrible, it's expensive to go out. The water is green because it's located just outside the mouth of the Orinoco. Bribes are required to leave the country legally.

The only advantage is buying gas... we purchased 55 gallons for $2.50 (no exaggeration).

Gili islands. Look it up. It's a major hidden gem.

Wow, just looked up Gili islands. Looks amazing. Only small Island I've spent time on was Moorea in French Polynesia, but not alot going on, mostly just resorts. Great place to chill out for a while though with beautiful lagoon water

is gili island above australia? cause it would be handy if it was

+1 but avoid the rainy season. I just came back from Boracay and it rained all the time.

As you are already in Australia you should look into Magnetic island or something around the barrier reef.

gili islands are a boat trip from Lombok in Bali. had an amazing time there. there are 3 islands so we spent a few days on all. got told one of the islands was a party island so stayed a few days there. tbh the party was pretty placid (may have been unlucky, time of year or its maybe calmed down recently) but still had the best mushroom shake i have ever had. a good idea would be to stay on one of the other 2 (Air or Meno) and get the small boat trip when you want to 'party'.

although Indonesia has a reputation for harshness on drugs they are readily available and even advertised and no police presence on the islands so drug taking is 99.99999% safe in regards to punishment.

if it amazing place to snorkel and dive. even just renting equipment on the beach and swimming out from the sand we seen a few turtles and lots of fish. food is great, people are great although the ones in Lombok on Bali may try and shaft you on prices but thats only for a 5 min stretch before you get the boat to one of the 3 islands.

i could definately spend 3 months in that place but i think if your set on spanish and rock climbing you may want to try somewhere else and go to the Gili's some other time as a 2 week holiday or something.

Glad I could help