Very soon I would be heading home from Hawaii. In the few hours before my flight I planned to sunbathe in the hotel grounds. I couldn’t risk lying on the beach. The waves were too unpredictable. That morning they’d already engulfed a lamp-post and a car.

Against all advice I dropped some of my belongings on the lawn to reserve a sunsbathing spot. By the time I came back with the rest of my stuff my spot had been taken by strangers, as had my valuables. Although I still had my purse and small camera in the pockets of my lambskin gilet, the wallet that held my dollars and flight tickets had been stolen.

I raced to the hotel reception to report the theft. According to hotel rules the staff could only intervene on behalf of guests who had paid for a stay of 35 hours or more. Fortunately I met this criteria, so gladly passed all responsibility for getting me back to the UK over to the receptionist on duty.