Day 17: Tiny Entrepreneurs of Gili Air

We started the morning with breakfast overlooking the sea before heading straight out for a snorkel from the beach in front of our accommodation.

This time we took Ian, the local boy the kids have become great friends with. His dad owns the resort we're staying at, and although they live in Rome, they spend two months here every year. The four of them have been inseparable for the last few days, so it was lovely having him join us.

After about an hour in the water, we jumped on our scooters for another cruise around the island. Our first mission was to retrieve Jai's hat, which we'd accidentally left at last night's restaurant. Thankfully, we found it... being proudly worn by one of the staff members! Luckily they laughed, handed it back, and the mission was a success.

Sam also treated himself to a couple of new singlets from the local shops before we headed home for Jai's lunchtime nap.

While Jai slept, the older three continued building what can only be described as their island business empire.

Yesterday they'd worked for watermelon and $1 each. Today they'd moved on to bigger opportunities.

First, they attempted to buy ice blocks from the resort and sell them to locals for a profit. Apparently nobody explained the concept of market research, because the locals already knew where to buy them!

Undeterred, they were then given a stack of spa discount vouchers to hand out around the island, earning commission if anyone booked a treatment.

Sam had a two hour massage while Jai slept, and by the time I came out of my two-hour massage, the kids looked hot, sweaty and completely exhausted. I suggested they cool off with a swim.

"No thanks," they replied. "We just want to keep working." (Definitely got those McIntyre genes).

We only had the scooters for another hour, so Sam and I told the kids to stay put whole we go grab our things to go for one last ride....but when we came back to the reception area.....

...no kids to be found

Again.

After a brief search, we found our little entrepreneurs around the island, still hard at work.

Once reunited, we enjoyed one final scooter adventure before returning them and setting off on foot for dinner.

We walked... and walked... and walked... all the way to the other side of the island, where we found one of our favourite meals of the trip. It was also one of the cheapest ($26 NZD). We watched another beautiful sunset over dinner before wandering home through the little sandy back streets.

As our time on Gili Air comes to an end, we've realised just how much we've fallen in love with this little island. We honestly wish we had a few more days here.

One thing the kids will definitely remember is the cats. They're everywhere. Some have tiny little tails, some are missing a leg, and many look like they've had quite adventurous lives, but they're all incredibly friendly. Jai has decided that tails are called "flags," so every walk now includes excited announcements of, "Look Mum! That cat's got a big flag!"

The locals have also completely taken our kids under their wing—especially Jai. Today, while I walked to collect lunch, several locals stopped to ask, "Where's Jai?" (While he was habing his nap), It was such a sweet reminder of how welcomed we've felt here.

After dinner we wandered home, tucked four very tired kids into bed, and started getting ready for tomorrow's next adventure.

Trip Statistics

- Hats successfully recovered: 1
- Scooter missions completed: Several
- Business ventures launched by the kids: Too many to count
- Spa vouchers distributed: Lots
- Children "too busy working" to swim: 3
- Kids temporarily lost: 4 (yes Jai was with them too)
- Cats admired: Every single one
- "Flags" spotted on cats: Countless
- New friends made: Friends for life
- Family memories made: CountlessRead more