This is the place to have your private retreat. You get your own coded gate and parking for up to two vehicles, if you want. The property is bounded to the south by bay and the neighbor to the north is almost impossible to discern. Ali, the owner, is a delight and has useful information.

The home is all about the outdoor space, while the interior echoes the spacious and artful feel. The kitchen, dining, and lounge areas are outside under a high raftered roof. Everywhere there are lovely wood furnitures and sculpture. The ambiance is open and relaxed.

The water is close enough to spit in when the tide is in. Yes, the turtles come in sometimes. The sandy beaches are not far away, but they are not right here. This is lava rock. In the master bedroom, you can listen to the waves wash into the rock all night, if you can stay awake.

We were two couples vacationing together. To have the two bedrooms and bathrooms well separated was nice. We cooked a lot of our meals and the kitchen was well equipped. The state-of-the-art fridge filled with plenty of ice was especially appreciated.

This is the ideal home base for island adventures; close to anything you need and plenty of shopping while giving a sense of isolation.

If I had to choose only one word of description, it would be "soothing".

It has taken me almost a year to write this. Ali & Kim: I am sorry. Your hospitality should not have been rewarded with procrastination. We hope to return to Heaven someday.