The mud seeping through my toes and ankles, the strands of spider webs sticking to my skin, the sweltering heat beating down relentlessly, all remind me that I am alive and that I can walk, see, and breathe. I follow the sounds which lead me to a gold mine of wading birds and for a few moments it feels and looks as close to heaven on earth as possible. I take deep breaths and even the smell of the baking seagrass nearby smells divine.