No one can stay for very long on a scorching sandy beach without shade.  Miyoko and Michaelwent into the edge of the jungle looking for a place to become a base for their life. Michael collected a number of large stones. Then he dug up the sand, lined up the stones, and packed some branches into the gaps between the stones to create a solid, flat floor. He placed all the packages on it and covered them with a tarp. This is done to protect the goods from wet during a shower. Tropical rains come quickly but also clear up quickly.  The tent for sleeping was set up in a spacious place closer to the sandy beach.

    There were many drum-cans filled with rainwater. As expected, fallen leaves and insects, both dead and alive, were also in the water. Miyoko  filtered a few days supply ofrainwater. She stored the filtered water in large plastic bottles. The coffee filter paper was soon clogged with lots of debris. Miyokobrought a lot of filter paper, so it was okay, thought Miyoko.  She continued the time-consuming work of straining rainwater, often changing the filter paper.  The tap water Michael brought from Koror will soon be consumed. Straining rainwater is an important task that they will have to do every day in their days on the island.

    It's the first day on a desert island that there should be a lot of happy expectations, but Miyoko's heart isn't clear when she thinks of Banana. Cats usually sleep during the day, so by this time Banana would be curled up behind brush or rock. Palau is free of poisonous snakes orinsects that can be life-threatening for humans and animals. In that respect, Banana is safe. And on that island, there are probably no creatures which are bigger than Banana. There seems to be no danger to life for Banana. Michael casually says, "I'm sure Banana isenjoying his freedom. You don’t  have to worry".But Miyoko's thinking is different. Miyoko heard that Michael only had dogs as a child and had no other pets. Miyoko has always grown up with cats, dogs and little birds since she was a child.  She feels lonely without pets. In particular, Miyoko raised Banana since he wassmall enough to fit in the palm of her hand. Banana never left the house and knows nothing about the leaves swaying in the wind, the shadows on the ground, and the chirping insects. Cats are very careful and timid animals. He must have spent a sleepless night, throbbing, scared of shadows and noises. In Miyoko’s house, he hadhis favorite cushion in the living room. Banana may not understand that he is now far away from home. He might try to return to the familiar living room. But no matter how much he looks for it, there is no fluffy cushion on that island.

    Miyoko felt sorry for Banana.  Her chest hurts so much that she cries. "Wait, Banana. I'll come tomorrow. Just wait for another day." Miyoko cried, spilling tears while straining rainwater.

     Miyoko and Michael decided to eat two meals a day. It's a lot of work to make a fire, so they only cook once a day for dinner. They will eat the leftover at breakfast the next day. The heat can quickly spoil food, so they'll have to eat up the rest of the supper at breakfast the next morning. 

    On the first day, Miyoko and Michael walked around to get to know the island, which they will spend the next month. Like the island where Banana escaped, this island has a long crescent-shaped white sandy beach.  Behind it, there is a jungle of palm trees and shrubs. As they go deeper, trees grow thicker and the visibility gets worse. Eventually, the land rises and becomes a steep mountain slope.

  The sandy beach ends where a huge rock protrudes from the mountain like a cape at both ends. Miyoko went to the edge of the sandy beach, into the sea, then around the cape of the rock. She looked at the other side, and saw a mangrove forest beyond that.  Mangroves are trees that grow well in seawater, and they take roots and grow into saltwater. Over the years, the sand on the seabed will be covered with fallen mangrove leaves, which will decay andmake the seafloor a nutritious swamp. The picturesque white sands of the tropical seas are not very nutritious for sea creatures.  

    Miyoko decided to take a shower. She didn’t bring shampoo. Miyoko scooped up the water in a drum-can with a small bucket and poured the water over her head while wearing her T-shirt and shorts. The shower ends with two small buckets-full of water. Miyoko combed her hair.  She felt refreshed. Michael also came to take a shower. Miyoko said, "It feels good," and gave Michael the small bucket. Near the center of the beach, underneath the many palm trees, there was a solid, long picnic table made of thick wooden boards. The legs of the table are tree stumps. This will be Miyoko's work desk and a dining table for the next month. As Miyoko unfolded the vinyl wrap with leftover food from Koror, Michael came and asked, "Miyoko, do you still have your lunch?"  "Yeah, I have a sandwich of jam and peanut butter. I have the last two rice balls." Miyoko responded. Michael noddedhappily, "Hmm".

    The bread was damp and musty, but edible.While it was still bright, Miyoko and Michael sat side by side on a wooden bench overlooking the sea, drinking water. When you are hungry, the sweetness of jam tastes delicious. 

    This beach faces south. The sun does not set in front of them. The surface of the sea is shining like a small mirror reflecting the sloping sunlight. The two can see some small deserted islands far beyond the very wide strait in front of them. The coconut leaves gently swayed overhead, and the tame waves lapped onthe beach. It was a very calm dusk. Miyoko believed that Banana was waiting for her to come back.