...and that is the sense of an ending. 5 nights on Gili Air capped off our almost 11 month adventure, and so it was fitting that we ended it in a beautiful land of sea and sun; two of our true loves.

We inadvertendly saved this favourite Gili for last. This island closest to Lombok was the perfect mix of serenity and activity, and became the scene of several "last" experiences for now: last scuba, last snorkel, last boat journey (Clare's personal favourite). It would have felt bittersweet, but there is still a sense of anticipation and excitement in the Air as we have recently developed some ideas for our second year off from work (more on that later!)

Scuba diving at the aptly named "Turtle Heaven" point revealed about 15 turtles on one dive for Troy, which has to be considered going out with a bang! Clare joined a snorkelling trip and was shown a new underwater sculpture of human figures intertwined that has apparently been placed in the shallow water to help cultivate a new reef. Some fish were nibbling on the bodies, so it looks like the project is well underway! Between the sunning and sea-ing, we enjoyed our last local dishes (how long will it be until we have fried rice again??), and fresh fruit shakes, and pondered what it will be like to have things like cheese again. Oh cheese, how we have missed you! Very fittingly, on our second last day, a local restaurateur tied shell bracelets onto our wrists as a reminder of our travels, telling us that we are never alone, and that there is always a community to come back to. And this idea of community is one that we have loved to both witness and be part of; both the local communities, and the travel communities, that have guided us and enriched our time so greatly over the past year.

Since we were in Indonesia for almost a month, then gone only briefly, then back again for almost a month, it some ways it seemed like we had been there forever! Indonesia was the new normal. But this is the end of southeast Asia for now - it's time to go home.