Monday, March 24. Hot as heck!
We had few choices on what to do today and we are all not keen on long coach rides. Monday in this island appears to be an extension of Sunday, when things are shut. We took the shuttle from Le Port to St. Giles les-Baines. [I don't make up these names, honest.] There was virtually nothing open when we arrived around 9.15. A stroll down the main entrance to the beach area indicated that it may be a jumping place at 10 at night though. We erroneously thought that the restaurants and shops etc, may open later, around noon maybe when we came back for lunch.
We hunkered down on the beach under the shade of some high overhanging pine trees on lovely sand punctuated by lumps of coral the size of baseballs. We spread our goods out and Jim was the first one in the water, coming back for his beach shoes. Soon both Jim and Fellette were some distance out, maybe 100 yards and still not up to their chest so I decided to go out and see what was so interesting.
The first 20 or so yards was fine sand with rounded lumps of coral the size of baseballs, the next 20 yards was thick sea grass and some coral lumps, the next 50 yards was sand pockets with large lava or coral about 18 to 24 inches high. It was about my worst venture in a beach, ever! However, I prevailed and went to about their area. This seemed like a fruitless and potentially dangerous thing to do with not much to gain by it so I decided that I did not want to be there. The odd big movement of water bumped me against those big lumps and that is not a nice feeling. I thought about floating over it but was fearful of hitting one of those ugly suckers on a down swell. I stumbled my way back to solid ground with only a minor scratch on a leg and that was my swimming adventure for the day.
We walked back down that earlier-deserted mall and it was still semi-deserted around 12.30. God Bless the French. [Sunday can run into Monday regarding shop opening]. We did find a Crèpe Shop where we had a great light lunch. It could have been on the Rivera in France. Lovely way to end the day, even if the beach was less than great.
We had a very interesting conversation on the beach with a British lady we have bumped into since Sydney. She does psychological counselling, and her interest is in psychopaths and such. She does testing with children age about 10 to help spot kids with tendencies in that direction. What an interesting this to do with your life. Her ability to spot people with those tendencies can be a bit of a curse for here as well I would think. What if your table mate on the two months she is on the ship has some of those traits?
On that note, I was attending a small group session the other day when it was pointed out that some people, when confronted with ANY event, have an INR. You say, "What is INR?" You will no doubt be interested in the answer, Immediate Negative Reaction. Think a moment, do you know anybody that always looks at the negative side of things? It may make it easier if you understand that that is what they are, they cannot help it.
On that, Jim was in the hot tub the other day with two guys after a hot day on tour. He was having a very pleasant conversation with one man but the third man kept coming in with negative comments on everything they were talking about. Jim left. Pity the people who go through life with that type of personality.
* * *
Well, I better sign off now and start packing for our journey into 'The Dark Continent'*, Africa. Heck we only have 86 hours until we get off in Durban!
* 'The Dark Continent', That was the name of a book I had when I was about 10.
Pics.
- The rolling hills of Reunion.
- Jim brings a sea cucumber ashore.
- A not very good picture of Fellette and Jim with a couple of paddlers walking by.
- We head back for lunch.
- Lovely beach front accommodation here.
- Menu discussion.
- Egg, ham and cheese crepe!
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