Medium Rare or Well Done?

So its been raining FOREVER here and finally there's a clear sunny day on Saturday.  First thing that comes to mind?  BEACH!

Four of us decide to head to Stanley Beach to go for a swim and catch some sun. Ok, sounds like a plan, right?

Well, first thing that happens is that we reach there and get off at what we thought was the correct stop.  Where's the beach?  Oh, are those stairs going down?  That must be the way!  So down we go, along what seems like the side of a mountain, as these tiny stone steps snaked every which way.  Undaunted, we pressed on.

Finally, we reach the bottom and what do we see?  A rocky shore with piles of weeds and debris floating about.  A couple shirtless denizens stood just metres away, fishing with makeshift poles into fishless waters.  Hmmm.

Then it came.

Silent at first, but then gradually louder.  A small buzz.  I whip my head down to see several black specks attached to my leg.  Mosquitos!  I've been so caught up with urban living and expectations of a barren beach, that it didn't even occur to me that mosquitos would even be a factor.

I swiftly swiped the blood thieves away, each precise hit knocking their black bodies away, only to be replaced immediately by another winged beast.

This was futile.  We had to get out of there.  We quickly made our escape, heading up through an alternate path until we finally reached our destination.

Success!  Or so we thought.  The term "Out of the frying pan, and into the fire" has never been truer.  Literally.

I'll admit that its been some time since I've been to a beach, and my "Beach Protocol" is a bit rusty.  Apply sunscreen?  Of course!  Put some on your arms, legs and neck.  Good to go!  Take off your shirt and jump into the water, swim way out into the deep end where a water platform rests for those daring enough to swim out farther.  Get up onto said platform and lay down for a much deserved rest.  Watch the shore far off in the distance and see little round heads floating on the water.  Feel the ocean sway slowly back and forth, like an ancient lullaby.  Slowly close your eyes and drift off into the comfortable embrace of white clouds and blue skies.

WAKE UP ROASTED.

MY SAVIOR : LIQUID HEAVEN...