More relaxing

4th July Guest Editor – Hilary Hodge

We decided another pottering around day was called for. Luke and I were up much earlier today so for the first time I ventured out at 10 am – I have avoided walking in the heat of the sun as heat and I don’t go together well. Carefully walking in the shade where there was any we made our way towards the beach – about a 10 minute walk at normal pace - which this wasn’t. We wandered along the beach path – trees shading us – until we reached our now favourite resting place for drinks – on account of the fact it has comfortable cushions to sit on – and drank iced coffees. We watched the world go by – the macho male surfers who Luke commented on – why do they have to run everywhere with their surf boards – that is before they rush into the sea – they then spend hours clambering onto them usually for a few seconds, get an adrenaline rush on top of the waves, before falling in. However quite amusing to watch and I have to admit in my younger day I would have loved to have had a go – in a non - macho way of course. Luke intends to learn – he hopes – when they get to New Zealand. We then start to wander back – stopping to have a massage in a location a little more discreet then many of the beach side locations available. I was a little hesitant having read about Luke’s previous experiences, but in fact it turned out to be a gentle and very relaxing massage with one able to gaze at the ocean, blue sky and sunshine at the same time – delightful. Back to the villa, a Luke lunch snack, a mandatory snooze and then with the pool in shade a gentle swim. James of course had been sitting in the sun on the sun lounger by the pool for most of the afternoon. I am jealous of his capacity to stay in the sun without any negative consequences. It is then time for more food so by this time James is ready to venture out with us back to the beach side restaurants where I revert to fancying a steak – yes how boring – but up until then I had Indonesian food when we ate out. Today has been a complete no alcohol one for James and me.