6th Jan 13        Day 4   

The corridor to my room is an extended balcony with big heavy bamboo blinds screening us from the local community. Outside small rush houses share the red earth with banana palms and bushes. Taller coconut palms are ladders for climbing vines, space is at a premium. It feels as if the jungle is permitting the hotel a temporary space. Birds screech, squirrels chatter and the humidity is heavy, tangible. I love it. The trees drip making a slap, slap slap sound on the blinds. If you close your eyes it sounds like wet footprints.

Getting used to the temperamental electrics we count when it goes off to see if it is longer or shorter than last time:                                                                                                                                                        ‘and if you listen carefully you can hear the man in the generator room bashing it with a hammer saying start again you ........’

More adventurous at lunchtime, I try two starters, Sesame Gobi and fried vegetables. They are delicious, the cauliflower florets crunchy with a sweet/sour spicy coating and the veg’s fried in a delicate tempura batter. I eat with pleasure. A cold beer, a swim and cover up. Yesterday I imprinted my bathers on my back even though I had factor 30’d  up. Evening chat on the girls balcony and off to bed. As I trot back down the stairs a strange windy dragging sensation in my stomach makes me speed up. I go into my bathroom with some urgency and settling on the toilet experience a minor explosion. It’s a wonder the whole hotel doesn't hear the bang. Still, it isn't serious. I haven't got IT but do acknowledge the warning and stay away from cauliflower for the rest of the trip.