It was tough growing up on the island. Poverty ruled the streets. Education had all been abandoned and there was virtually no escape.

Tourists ruled the land throughout most of the year. Coming in droves on giant boats, visiting for a day or two then leaving - taking what they'd want, invading the lives of those who lived there, disrespecting sacred land. It was their vacation after all - they had the right to be happy.

The community was the island's saving grace. The family dinners. The local festivities and parties. Everyone knew one another. Yet, she needed to get away sometimes - somewhere she didn't need to think, need to be concerned. Somewhere she could just exist.

She had known of this place ever since she was little. One day she had wondered off, down the beach, following it's meandering curves, back behind the dunes until it opened up. For as long as she could remember, the water had been shallow and bath-warm. The current was so light, one would swear the water was stagnant, but it could be felt ever so slightly tickling as if flowed over their feet.

The sun played on the surface bouncing of the shadows caused by the clouds drifting lazily overhead, shimmering like a field of diamonds. When a cloud passed directly overhead, the true beauty of the water was revealed - crystal clear and aqua marine, as teal and any water in the world.

This was her place to escape, the breathe out, and soak in the tranquility of her surroundings.

The tree had always been there. Standing tall. Old and weathered, dried over the years by the pounding sun. As far as she knew, it had never moved, even though it's roots had given up their battle to hold onto the sand a long time ago.

She would make her journey out through the shallow bay and sit against its trunk, feeling it, sometimes hugging it.

It was the perfect reminder there was still life in the world.