Enjoying the beach

Well, something I did yesterday worked because I had the first good night's sleep since I arrived here! 

After breakfast, I walked to Mandrem Beach for a day on a sunbed. The colours here are just so vibrant, from a yellow scooter parked against a dazzling white wall to a vivid orange and yellow temple.

The tide was in when I arrived at the beach and remained that way all day. I went for several dips in the lovely waters of the Arabian Sea. In between, I relaxed with my book and chatted to several of the ladies who were selling their wares to tourists. They were all bemoaning the lack of British visitors this season and the influx of Russians, who they said are very rude and never buy anything! It might just have been a sales ploy to make me feel sorry for them. If it was, it worked! I bought two bracelets and a pair of trousers that I didn't want or need!

Later, I ate at the Mandrem Beach Shack. I had a very good chicken kebab with chips and salad. I then bought a whole pineapple, which the lady cut up for me to take back to Maya.

Back at the retreat, Niha was painting the props for this weekend's carnival-themed night, so I chatted to her for a while before going for a swim in the on-site pool. The water was a tad chilly! I ended up looking after a six-year-old as the water was too deep for him, and his Dad was too much of a wuss to brave the water! 😂Read more