In order to avoid the death and destruction after the tsunami in the south of India, John knew of this island an hour flight away from Bombay.

Diu was a Portuguese colony for over 400 years until 1969. There is not much architectural evidence left except for some dilapidated houses and an amazing fort which is at the end of the town.

The coastline is very beautiful and we are staying in a small resort (think Bali in 1970) without a shower (yes truly - we get a hot water bucket at 6pm daily).

It is all worth it to have the gorgeous view and peaceful surrounds (well after the dogs bark and roosters crow and Muslim am wail and Hindi drum procession (smoke fumes we hope it's not a funeral) and...

Once at the beach edge the sand is brown and coarse and the water only comes up to your knees and it's hard to get wet - but hey - most beaches in India are impossibly toxic so we are in paradise.

Wonder what its like in Noosa right now - well it is not exotic like here.