Saturday July 2 – I wasnt sure what to do with the weather today. It was windy and forecasted to rain, but eventually it still wasnt raining, so I decided to do a walk to the northern village part of the island which is not far. This time I wanted to walk around more in the area where people live. I only brought my waterproof camera just in case I got caught in a storm. I was also on a mission to take some plant photos for Jules, a botanist/gardener. Sadly, I am the kind of biologist that can identify plants by their green color (chlorophyll!), but other than that, Im fairly rubbish. But I thought I can at least show her what is on the island.
Once I got back to the hotel, I got ready to go to the beach. I wasnt sure if I would swim but I would read by book by the water. I thought I had seen high tide but this was super high. Basically all of the beach was gone. Even my clever setup to keep my bag dry didnt work fully this time. I ended up hanging it from a tree by
the chair. I stayed for an hour when I felt some rain starting in. This is what happened yesterday and in a couple minutes it was really falling. I packed up and realized it had already stopped. But I also realized I just wasnt digging it so I headed back anyway. I decided to put a little time in doing some research for the Camino in Spain, since I have almost no time between trips and am woefully unprepared. I also started packing as Im heading out to another island tomorrow if the weather cooperates.
By 3pm, I decided I would risk the walk to the sand bar in the south again. With no excursions leaving, it was still nice to be able to do a daily walk to the place I enjoyed. On my way out, the hotel guys let me know that the boat did not go today due to the weather (which ended up fine in the end), and that they are not sure about tomorrow, when I am leaving. They asked if I wanted a flight instead and they could check. Much more expensive and from a neighboring island. I went back
in to write the next hotel to ask what happens if the boat is canceled. They said it was a problem so I decided to take my chances. But it had did make me a little nervous.
On my way past the beach area, I saw my little cat again. She was curled up in some fallen palm leaves and started to meow right away, of course. So sweet. She survived the storm last night and was even dry, so that was good to see. I started to attract a horde of mosquitos though, so I didnt stay long. She followed me on the path for a distance but then turned back.
Most of the time I walk I am alone, but occasionally a motor scooter would go by or a couple of guys will be working along the path. Each time Ive also usually passed a couple of tourists. Yesterday the tourists were in their bathing suits, a big Today they were dressed fine.
Close to the sandbar there is a large picnic/volleyball/beach area where I often spot locals in the evening. Today there was a fun volleyball match, and I was glad to see
it was men and women playing. I have a feeling that many women are excluded from such things, or exclude themselves. But it might just be my perception.
The tide was still very high and this time much of the sandbar was covered with water. Much of the trash that had washed up before seems to have been returned to the sea. Even the table that is inexplicably on the sandbar was flipped and precarious. I could not go very far out but it was good to see how it changes in such a short time.
On the way back along the beach (towards the south the path goes in and out of the beach area) I did pass another couple of tourists. An old lady in a bikini on the beach and a guy who was her husband/son (?) filming her as she walked. Weird. And it irritates me when people are disrespectful.
Back at the hotel I settled in, showered, and waited for dinner. For dinner I had the nasi goreng again, then chatted with Jeroen and finished packing. Then I bought 9 (!) ebooks. I just finished two paperbacks from an author Im
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