Yikes, got a text from people that Heathrow Airport is on fire and out of commission. Damn, we dodged that bullet.
I woke up at 0600 but didn’t want to disturb anyone, so I stayed in bed, scrolling through blogs and getting lost in other people’s thoughts. Just as I was settling in, my phone buzzed—my friends were heading to the dining room for breakfast.
Snapping out of my daze, I threw off the covers and moved with urgency. A quick change of clothes, a splash of cold water on my face, a rushed brushing of my teeth. “Ava, hurry up!” I called over my shoulder before dashing out the door, eager to catch up with the others.
For my first breakfast plate, I went all in—congee, hash browns, rice, and noodles. Gluten, here I come.
The cappuccino? Absolute perfection. Smooth, rich, and exactly what I needed to start the day.
Round two: more hash browns (because why not) and some chicken sausage.
Mid-bite, my phone buzzed—work. They wanted me to jump on a conference call in a few days. I had to decline since I’d be mid-flight with spotty internet. Even on vacation, I wasn’t really on vacation. They always found a way to reach me.
After breakfast, we strolled back to the villa and slipped straight into the infinity pool. The water was warm and inviting. We swam out to the ocean, floating for a while before heading back. A quick rinse under the shower, then I collapsed onto the bed for a much-needed hour-long nap before it was time for the beach club.
And what a beach club it was. Tons of cabanas, endless views of the ocean, and the largest infinity pool I’d ever seen.
Mango daiquiri #1 in hand. If we were going to do this, we were going to do it right—slightly buzzed, sun-kissed, and utterly relaxed.
Mango daiquiri #2. Why am I starting to feel lit already?
Three hours in, and the sun was relentless. Five Star let me use her sunscreen, but no matter how often I reapplied, I still ended up sunburnt. The sting started creeping in just as we got out of the water and sat down for lunch. I guess this is expected since I am so close to the equator and I do not tan well.
The burger was great, but between the heat and the drinks, I barely managed to eat a quarter of it. My stomach was already feeling the effects of all the gluten, bloated beyond belief. By the time we finished, three of us were sunburnt and completely drained. Time to retreat to the villa.
Back at the water’s edge, Ava and I waded in and started talking about relationships. She told me about leaving Santa Barbara after a bad breakup, how she had to move back in with her parents before getting back on her feet. It was one of those brutal, honest conversations that only happen when you’re floating in the middle of the ocean, waves lapping around you.
Afterwards, we showered and got ready for the spa. A 90-minute deep tissue massage was exactly what my body needed. It hurt in the best way possible. Mira, my massage therapist, was incredible—she worked through the knots in my calves and IT band with such precision that I probably grunted a few times. But damn, did it feel good.
Ava was on the massage table next to me, getting the same treatment. I had opted for the “Revive” massage—deep, intense pressure meant to release tension and realign energy.
Post-massage, we sat outside sipping tea, taking in the view.
The air was thick with the scent of the ocean, the sky shifting into twilight. But we were on a tight schedule, so we quickly got dressed and headed out to meet our friends for dinner.
Sunset Grill was breathtaking—an open-air beachfront venue glowing with soft blue lights, cabanas, and tables scattered across the sand.
Americano? Yes, please. I was fading away at this point.
The menu had Korean food, but I knew better. No way it would come close to what I could get back home. Instead, I started with calamari.
For my main, I went for paneer makhani, paratha, and papadum rice—warm, spiced, and deeply satisfying.
Above me, I heard rustling. A bat settled into the tree, getting comfortable for the night.
Dessert was pistachio milk cake, reminiscent of tres leches—soft, soaked, and just the right amount of sweet.
As we rode the buggy back to our villa, I looked up. The moon was full, casting its glow over the ocean. It was the kind of night that made you pause, take it all in, and appreciate the stillness.
Back at the villa, I went through my usual nighttime routine—brushing my teeth, washing my face—then sank into bed. Sleep took me instantly.
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