"Good. I haven't just humiliated myself. What a relief," he said, eyes smiling as he put an arm around her, holding her close.

Nearby, a woman had begun shouting about her tattered tent, not because she was frightened and wanted rescue, but because she wanted a refund for her VIP ticket.

"This really is the worst holiday I've ever taken," he observed after a moment, his shoulders trembling with mirth.