A Siren’s Call
Another spicy short, as I update Hot Beaches and Sea Breezes for the 2026 summer season
A Siren’s Call
The wooden bridge to my villa crossed water so clear it didn’t look real, more like photoshopped Instagram blue, except it was lapping at the boards beneath my feet. Eighteen hours in transit, and this was home for a week. The staff wheeled my luggage past me. I’d long given up insisting I could carry it myself. At six-six, I felt twice their size, but service was the point of the place.
After they had shown me how to make the most of the facilities, they left me alone.
To avoid jet lag, I’ve got into the habit of shifting immediately into the time zone of my latest destination. Despite being on the road and flights for eighteen hours, I’d arrived first thing in the morning. I didn’t want to sleep.
If I sat down, I’d nap, so I stripped off, dropped my work gear in the laundry bag and hung it up for collection. The service here was almost invisible, but the most attentive you could imagine.
I picked up the fruit platter and bottle of water and padded to my private plunge pool. Dangling my feet in the cool water, I gazed out at the view. The ocean so calm it barely moved against the pier beneath me.
After I’d eaten, I slid into the sea. It felt cool, filled with fish of all sizes. Turtles nested nearby, so I felt hopeful of catching a glimpse. Although I’d need to unpack my snorkel gear for that.
Today was all about winding down, forgetting data analytics, profit margins, and share prices. Today would be muscle stretches, mindset shifts, and gratitude.
I’d booked a yoga class for the afternoon, but the instructor arrived an hour early.
I answered the knock at the cabin door with a towel around my waist. She stood there with a bottle of water, a yoga mat in a bag over her shoulder, and the biggest smile you could imagine. I welcomed her in, apologised for my lack of prep, suggesting her early arrival wasn’t really my fault.
She laughed and followed me inside, closing the door behind her.
I went into my bedroom and dressed in shorts. When I walked back, she’d gone. Confused, I looked around. Her yoga mat was on the floor. I found her out at my plunge pool.
She sat with her feet in the water, eyes closed, face up to the sun. A toned physique, as you’d expect. Small tattoos on one ankle, a larger one of Ganesh across her back. She had a scar down one arm. It looked like a childhood burn.
‘Do you mind? It’s such a beautiful day. I wanted to just enjoy the moment.’
‘Of course.’
I joined her, and we looked out at the view. She grabbed my hand and whispered.
‘Look, oh wow, let’s follow her. See if she’ll let us swim with her!’
She’d lost me until I followed her pointing finger and saw a turtle bobbing in the water just a few metres from us.
‘Oh, yes! Great idea. Let me grab my snorkel.’
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