When water closets (wc or toilets) were introduced into UK homes in the late nineteenth century, it was not considered hygienic to have them inside the house, but rather to have them in an outside space accessed by leaving the house, usually into a back yard. These outside loos can still be found in some very old houses, but are now considered very primitive. Most people prefer the luxury of a fully heated inside lavatory nowadays. So it’s quite funny here at Marari Beach to find that the bathrooms are located outside – considered decadent and luxurious here in contrast to the outside loos of old back home.

Enclosed by a white wall, with a thatched palm roof, the shower, sink and toilet are covered, but there is an open section in the corner where rain (if there is any) can drain onto a pebbled area with a banana palm planted in it. The temperature here is very warm, so there is no danger of being cold in the outdoor bathroom, but there is one predator to be wary of. In the evenings the mosquitos are particularly hungry – and no one wants a bite on the bum when they’re on the throne! To deal with this danger, guests are advised to place a citronella joss stick in the pebbles beside the loo and let the incense burn to deter the mosquitoes. The incense burns through the night, so for the older gentlemen among us (that’s both of us, I know) we can pay our nighttime visits safe in the knowledge that the mosquitoes are (mostly) being kept at bay.

A reminder of how much precious water we waste