The view is fantastic! The water, crystal clear, shimmers in various shades of blue and turquoise. Palm trees sway in the gentle wind. Every now and then a coconut falls with a crash on the tin roof. At six in the morning the sun emerges from the lagoon; twelve hours later it sinks in the ocean. An unforgettable natural spectacle when the clouds are bathed in red and orange tones. But: «There is no Paradise on Earth» …

We rented a bungalow at the end of the narrow island. Terawa, the owner, showed us around the rooms on the first day. Everything a bit neglected. The walls made of chipboard and the doors without handles. Water is scarce on the island, said Terawa, and asked us to use it sparingly. This is not a problem, as no water comes out of the tap in the washbasin! The shower hose is defective, but at least it supplies water!

And then the beds! I felt like I was sleeping on a wooden pallet! The next morning, I quoted the owner and told her in good French that this is a dump: «Chez nous, en Suisse, même les sans-papier dorment mieux»! She apologized and changed the mattress. Instead of wooden slats, I now feel springs in my back …

PS. We snorkel daily in the lagoon in front of our bungalow and explore the island by bike. We enjoy the paradisiacal view and look forward to a bed that sleeps better…