Sleep eluded me yet again. Every time I moved I woke up, with some part of me screaming out in pain. My quads, my hips, my toes, the blister on my foot - my body was letting me know that it wasn't happy and as punishment, it wouldn't grant me some much needed shuteye.

 

Things didn't improve once I got out of bed. Every step was agony as my muscles slowly warmed up. Stairs were a nightmare. The dining area at the hotel consisted of cushions on the ground at low tables. I almost skipped the included breakfast so I didn't have to face the challenge of standing up afterwards. In the end the lure of free food was too much for me and I just sucked it up.

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​After checking out we hobbled down to the beach, sitting in proper chairs at a cafe. We sipped our smoothies while watching the local families play on the sand and splash in the water, enjoying their regular Sunday routine. For the hour or so we sat in that cafe before catching our flight, I couldn't think of anywhere else I would rather be. The location was peaceful, the sound of the gentle water felt soothing, and I didn't have to move my aching limbs.