Day 15 - Howzat?

16:30
I was awake later than planned last night. I drifted off around 02:00, having stayed up to finish the book I was reading. I’d set an alarm for 10:00, but am wide awake around 07:30. I try to go back to sleep, but it’s not happening. The AC unit in our room is a bit fritzy. Keeps turning itself on, and back on again - and beeping loudly each time it does so. As a result, I turned it off overnight, and relied on the ceiling fan to cool me, and it just wasn’t quite up to the job. On my way out for some breakfast, I stop in at the front desk, and update them of my cooling based woes.

I head down to the beach for some breakfast, and park up at Tantra Café. A lot of these beach front resto/bars are much of a muchness - same view, same drinks, same food, so much so that it often becomes a case of habit as to which one visits. Analee, Ashley and Natalie were sitting here last night when I was chatting to them, so figure I’ll give it a go. A cheese omelette and pot of masala chai hit the proverbial spot.

Darron and Debs are up and about. Also heading down to the beach for food. They join me at Tantra, and we contentedly watch the world go by for a couple of hours. Darron declares beer at exactly 12:01, and who am I to disagree with such powerful and concise decision making. Around 13:00, I pad back to my hotel.

I can feel an afternoon nap in my very near future. By 14:00, I’m fast asleep, and remain so until my alarm at 16:00. Couple of hours of top-up is exactly what I needed. There’s a beach cricket game happening between 16:00 and 18:00, which I’ll go and watch, but treat myself to a glass of rosé on my balcony while the sleep washes out from me…

22:30
DD and I meet at 17:00, and head down to the beach. We’re not entirely sure where on the beach the cricket game will be, but we guess correctly it’ll be near Namaste, which is kind of an unofficial central meeting point for the LHM crew.

The quality of the cricket is generally poor, but interspersed with moments of genius - on the part of the batters, the bowlers, and occasionally the fielders. Maybe 40 people have turned up to provide some moral support. We sit/stand around and gas. We seek regular refills from Namaste. I meet a few more of the ensemble cast. I know how poor my memory is for names, so I’m gonna just have to wing it over the next couple of weeks.

I’m not sure there’s a score being kept, or even sides particularly. It’s a lovely way to hang out, watch the sunset, and commune with fellow party-goers.

Around 19:00, I suddenly notice my hunger. I’ve not eaten since my modest omelette around 10:00, and need to feed. I head back to Round Cube, as their food looked great yesterday, and they have Bira Blonde in the fridge. Someone’s chucked on a CD of rave classics - early 90s piano house and 808 laden tunes.

I order a chicken Haryali kebab with some roti and raita. It’s outstanding. I make a biryani using a similar recipe back home, but the burnished, char-grilled flavour from the tandoor elevates it. I’m tearing chunks of roti, and grabbing greedily at the pieces of chicken, so hungry am I. My good friend Buppy brings me a replacement beer unbidden. He’s a good, good man. The total for my beers and awesome dinner is £8. Bargain.

Despite my afternoon snooze, I feel pretty jaded around the edges. I think the generally poor sleep of the past couple of weeks is still with me. I could happily stay out for more beers, but decide to treat myself to an early night. Oooh, and maybe a Zopiclone. BOSH.Læs mere