There's nothing like a hammock.
For you, dear reader, a hammock may bring memories of a holiday, of carefree days, of freedom, and so on.
A couple of weeks ago we bought a hammock and tied it between two shady trees in our front garden.
That moment of laying down in it for the first time was unforgettable. The branches of the trees made a sheltered network that let the blue sky peep through. The parrots feasting on the fruits of the trees ignored our presence after a while when we lay still and considered us as a part of their safe world.
The Eastern breeze was laden with the scent of rainfall.
With the onset of monsoon in India, the weather becomes pleasantly breezy in Muscat and offers some respite from the scorching heat.
The chatter of birds, the cradling of the hammock by the gentle breeze, soon lulls one into sleep.
Our hammock has now become a family favourite. It is also a place where Anna's friends 'hang out'.
It's amazing how this hammock - a humble piece of fabric tied up with strings on either side in natural surroundings - provides a relaxation experience that is unmatched by any four-poster bed in a fine hotel.
