The Gili Islands in Indonesia are well known for their pristine water, incredible coral, and diverse marine life. Most visitors spend their time as possible checking out the colourful reefs, sea turtles that populate the island. There is something a bit more unique, Gili Meno Statues!
What are these Gili Meno Statues?
Along the west coast of Gili Meno, we will find 48 life-size statues of couples embracing and lying down symbolizing life and continuity. Even though these are described as “hauntingly beautiful”, the Gili Meno statues have quickly become a snorkelling and diving hot spot. These statues are created by well-known British sculptor, Jason deCaires Taylor. Each statue was made from the casts of real people, making the sculptures even more unique. They are made from a ph neutral environmental-grade concrete and anchored to the sea bed. The Gili Meno statues have a deeper meaning because their purpose is to help and create a reef for marine life. To represent the circle of life they have been arranged in a circle. In deCaires Taylor’s own words: “First and foremost Nest is an environmental space. The figures are arranged in a circular formation as an echo of the circle of life, and they will soon teem with life. Soft corals and sponges should flourish quickly paving the way for delicate hard corals and a fully established reef.”
The world’s coral reefs having dying rapidly including diverse reefs in Indonesia. The illegal anchoring along the shores of the Gili Islands and the recent earthquake in Indonesia has increased the destruction of coral reefs. However, the main causes for the death of coral reefs are human actions such as pollution, overfishing and climate changes, etc. Soft corals and sponges will first create a home on these statues and then it will provide the foundation for more marine life to flourish here. You will find an abundance of fish and other marine life at the statues and nearby. Some tourists stand on them or use the statues as an anchor to help them take beautiful photographs or videos underwater. But it’s forbidden to touch the statues. Since corals and sponges are already started to grow on them and touching the statues prevents the work they have been designed to do.
As you have guessed already, these statues have gotten incredibly popular. If you visit there during the peak times you will see many boats and tourists around the statues. So when you take photographs there will be loads of people in the back of your photos including far too many life jackets, swimmers floating right above the statues. . But if you go there at right time you can enjoy the moment peacefully and take amazing photographs of fishes, turtles, etc. Usually early in the morning and at dusk are the best times to go there. Another thing is if you are swimming from Gili Meno, be careful of sharp coral. Wearing fins will help you swim down to the statues to get a closer look at the growing coral. You can get another amazing experience by visiting the sunset after watching the statues. The best place to see sunsets on Gili Meno is along the northern side of the island, which only takes about twenty minutes to walk from the beach near the statues. So, if you ever get the opportunity to travel to Indonesia, don’t miss out on seeing the Gili Meno statues and having such a memorable experience.
Gimhani Palipana- Faculty of Science
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