Day 4, July 11: A Lazy Day Around the Village

View of the infinity pool and ocean at Maria Restaurant, in Sosua Ocean Village

Today was a day in which we did very little. I woke up slightly before 8am, Patrise had awakened about an hour before. When I emerged from the bedroom, she was on a call with her sister. I poured myself a bowl of cornflakes cereal and began to munch. She ended her call shortly thereafter and then did the same. Today was to be dedicated to going no where and doing as little as possible -- just read, relax, and lounge around the village.

I indicated that I wanted to take a walk around the SOV (Sosua Ocean Village), so as to stretch my legs and get some sunshine. Patrise declared we were going to have lunch at Maria and we could walk to it. Maria is a restaurant inside of the SOV resort. Deborah and Barry emerged frm their room. We had a nice conversation and they decided to join us for lunch at Maria. Eventually we gathered all of our things and headed through the roads of the Village to the location where Maria was. At first, Patrise and I thought we had come to the place, because there was a sign that read Restaurante Santa Maria. However, Barry quickly pointed out that this was not the place. A short walk and a quick turn later, we emerged into the courtyard of Maria, which had two infinity pools, several tables and chairs on one side of the courtyard and the restaurant seating on the other side.

A young woman showed us to the table of our choice, and we immediately reviewed the food and drink menus. While we were waiting for a waiter to come take our orders, we were soaking up the gorgeous views of the pools and ocean on the horizon. It was nothing short of breathtaking, in all of its wild beauty.

The waiter came and took our orders. We continued taking in the view, while Barry explained that if we walked to the edge of the lower area from the restaurant, we could get a glimpse and a photo of a small beach alcove surrounded by jagged rock formations. As the waves were funneled into this narrow beach opening, they pounded the surf and kicked up a lot of foamy splashes. I decided I would take a walk to get just that view, but after eating my lunch.

Eventually lunch was served, the food and drinks were delicious. While eating lunch, Patrise contacted our original driver Felix, to see if he was available to pick up her and Deborah, at Maria at 2:30pm, to drive them to their 3pm facial appointment near Alicia Playa, the same beach we had just visited two days ago. He stated he was available and would see them then.

Lunch being finished and an hour or so remaining before Felix would arrive, I walked to the area Barry had indicated and walked through a narrow set of stairs down to the rock formation adjacent to the sandy beach area. There, I took in the views and snapped several photos and videos. Photos are great for most things, but an ocean is defined so much by its motion that you need video to truly appreciate its beauty and power. Barry had followed me down there, and he too took photos, even though he had been there several times. We both stated we wished the day was cooler, so that we could just sit there for a long while, close our eyes, listen to the ocean while meditating. However, the beautiful, glorious, hot sun would have none of that today.

We returned to our restaurant table. As the time drew closer for Felix to arrive, Barry declared that he would like to get a ride back to the villa when Felix picked up Patrise and Deborah. I stated that I preferred to walk back, to get in some steps and just enjoy the sunshine some more. So I departed on foot. I enjoyed the walk back, taking a moment to capture two more photos, glancing at my Weather Channel app -- 88 degrees, feels like 102 degrees -- and capturing a screenshot of it for the blog tonight. There was a steady gentle breeze, that made the walk more tolerable.

I made it back to the condo and poured myself a cup of water. About ten minutes later, Barry arrived, while the ladies were off for the 3pm facial appointment. Barry and I both lounged around reading. (I think he was actually reading, while I was fighting between reading and napping.) About 4:30/4:40, the women returned and the pace of the house picked up again. Later, as we began anticipating dinner, Deborah prepared a fruit juice concoction, while Patrise prepared the Basa fish (that I would grill), grits, and a watermelon salad. Once the food was prepared and the dishes washed, we continued to have nice conversation, until Patrise and Deborah went to bed.

Barry read in his room, while I worked on today's blog. Like I said, a lazy day around the villa. Here are photos for today's limited activities.

Screenshot from Weather Channel app, taken on my walk back to the condo from Maria.