Asha is getting quite tired though. I think I need a sabbatical from advocating to dismantle parachuting and all these inequities ❤️

Unfortunately I also had to call out some disrespectful comments from a panelist - turns out there were many who were irked by his remarks! #oosc

the importance of relatability if we want people to respond to stories and act and and the existing inequities in story telling about our ocean which are hugely problematic.

I’ve since left the country but this instance, though unnerving, restored my faith in humanity. 13/13

I keep thinking back to how quickly the two guys read the situation, took it upon themselves to protect us and did it in a way that was helpful and not harmful. I will never be able to thank them personally but I hope they know that I am incredibly grateful. 12/n

Everyone stepped up to protect each other and the way they did it meant that things did not escalate. It actually very much helped to dissipate the situation. 11/n

She said she would be as the rangers should be on the way. A previous customer had offered to sit in the store with her for as long as she needed too. I’ve never experienced anything like it in terms of the support that was shown that day. 10/n

- they just knew they needed to step in and do what they could and I could not believe it. I had to go back to my hotel which was a few blocks away and had been worried about being followed. The lady at the store said ‘just leg it’ and I asked if she would be okay. 9/n

asking him to pick up his jumper which he had chucked on the floor near the entrance, and they quietly herded him out of the shop, using no force but gentle firmness and walked him away. They didn’t stop for us to ask for help or say thank you 8/n

The guy refused and started saying lots of things. Then one of the guys said, with a firm gentleness in his voice, ‘hey mate, how about you come with us.

These ladies are not comfortable’. He first refused but they gently coaxed him, 7/n

I told the two guys I didn’t know him at all. They said it was very clear and not to worry. Then, they took it upon themselves to really go the extra mile. One of them said ‘mate, you are making these ladies uncomfortable. I think it’s time you stepped out of the store’. 6/n

When the shop keeper asked if they needed help they said they were fine but they would stick around to ensure the two of us were okay. I didn’t have an option to leave.

He started trying to approach me and say stuff. 5/n

He then stepped into the shop and started following me and saying things in an elevated voice. I was not comfortable at all so went and stood between two guys. I said - I’m very uncomfortable and they said no problem. We will stick around until he goes, you do our thing. I was so grateful. 4/n

I was feeling unnerved and I spoke to the shop keeper. She said he had been harassing her and her customers from morning.

But one customer had agreed to call the rangers. She was hoping there would be no repercussions. 3/n

But there was one particular one I needed to go to. Unfortunately the same young guy was outside - with a lady who was clearly trying to reason with him.

I figured he was busy so I would walk into the shop. Unfortunately the minute he saw me he started saying stuff and following me.2/n

Sri Lankan chocolate cake is my top pick. Sri Lankan cakes are particularly amazing and trust me when I say I have scoured the world….