After a couple of hours to cool off and rest, we enjoyed afternoon tea and biscuits, and we were off on a village walk along the dikes and island edge with one of the farmers and homestay owner, Mr. Thomas. There was quite a variety of marine traffic on the waterways between our island and the mainland. He was quite apologetic as the political "blithering" over loud speakers on boats cruising up and down the river was drowning out his talk. He didn’t know why they continued (election was to be May 16) because they couldn’t change people’s minds which were already made up. This is either considered a carnival by some and an absolute annoyance to others like him.

It was over 2.5 hours walking, over rough ground cover on the dike path. The water was about two metres deep at this time. There were fish in there, but salt water fish. Not great for eating. Come monsoon time and fresh water, the fish would be good eating. Lots of water hyacinth was present, which is a menace as is with all man-made waterways. 

As with all the places we’ve visited, the Catholic church has a prominent presence. It’s disconcerting really, to see these massive gorgeously decorated buildings among the hovels that the majority of the population live in. One such church had about 100 steps leading up the hill with 30-foot brass free-standing pillars all the way up. The church was billiant white and well-maintained . . . a splendor among the garbage. The one we saw on our walk was built recently. The original church built by the Portugese was crumbling so it was razed and a new one built. There was one remaining tower and it was leaning to one side.