Tropical island routine

Breakfast, continental with homemade bread and real coffee, in the usual restaurant. Change into swimming shorts and walk to the other side of the island to be smacked around by the waves, keeping a close eye on my stuff above the high tide mark as beach hawkers hover suspiciously close by. Buy yet another book at the second hand shop, where even though it only has three walls, it is so hot browsing is tolerable for just ten minutes. Marvel at how little I get for the books I sell. Another pot of coffee, the best on the island, from a small shack that does nothing but that and tea, serving its milk in baby bottles, complete with teats. Perhaps that was all that was available, or maybe it was a purchasing mistake. Walk back through the surf to my hotel. Change and go for lunch. Back to the room to watch half an action movie on TV and wait for the rain to stop, again.

This afternoon I might run, if it isn’t raining and then swim again before dinner.

Climbers seem to have deserted the island in the last two days, the weather being as it is.

I am going back to Malaysia, to Kota Bahru, tomorrow.