Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix,

the Science of Happiness Podcast.

For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want

to share that science with you.

And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.

I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that

calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.

This is a Thinking Loud Podcast from the BBC and for more details in our terms of use and

much, much more about thinking aloud, go to our website at BBC.co.co. UK.

My first worry when I arrived at Maricass Beach in Trinidad was the lack of people in the sea. I mean there were all the other

seaside ingredients I've been promised by my colleagues at the University of

Trinidad, scores of noisy radios perched on car roofs, miles of clean sand and dozens of huts selling deep-fried shark.

But what was wrong with the ocean?

Too cold, jellyfish, perhaps the odd shark that hadn't yet been stuffed into a roti.

But then I saw that a long line of people of all shapes and sizes and ages was forming up and yomping through the shallow water out to where I could see the crests of larger waves.

I was swept along with a crowd and I soon found myself standing up to my chest in water alongside several hundred locals. The boy next to me was so small he had to leap

every few seconds to keep his head above the water. We all face back towards the shore but we

kept peeking over our shoulders, waiting for the big wave. Not this one, this one, no, this one, yes!

We all threw ourselves forward, riding the surf, arms stretching out towards the beach, legs kicking frantically,

and seconds later with a final heave, the wave deposited its rich load of breathless,

gasping, laughing humanity on the shore.

Well, I remembered the sheer democratic diversity of that occasion as I was reading a new book

...