11/2/2009 – Although there are two tiny private “resorts” on the island catering to the rich tourists, they usually receive 2 to 4 guests per day and these guests usually stay within the resort or taken by the resort’s SUV down to the beaches. They rarely, if at all interact with the local villagers on the island.

We opted to stay in a “hostel” accommodation that is cooperatively owned by the village, so they all get a share of the income from the accommodation and are grateful and curious with the travelers staying there. Everybody flashed us big smiles and waved hello when they passed us on the road.

The island is not really geared for tourism so all we could buy from the two local stores were mostly canned goods and dry goods shipped from the main island. We asked around to see if we can buy some fresh fruits and such but the stores didn’t sell them. After I came back from the beach, the kitchen table was filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and even some flying fish, all donated from the local villagers. They absolutely refused to accept any money. It was really lovely spending time with the people here.