I've only been walking about five minutes when i see someone coming towards me. A girl, about my size. As she comes closer i see that she is blonde and pretty, near to me in age and that while her body might be the same height as mine, the resemblance ends there. Hers seems toned and hardened to perfection and there is determination in her every step. Next to her i seem all curves and my slow amble up the hill couldn't be more different from her determined trot towards me.

She introduces herself as Luisa and offers to help with my backpack. I decline the offer, somewhat defensively. Just because i don't have her air of certainty, doesn't mean i can't look after myself, and i have managed to lug it thousands of miles already.

I almost instantly regret my slight rudeness. She is incredibly friendly, and we fall into the usual back packer talk of travel and parties.

i tell her that i don't have much faith in my claim to this inheritance, but the cash was a great way to kick off a trip to europe. She gives me the strangest look, a whole series of emotions passing through her blue eyes. Suspicion, surprise, pity? Then they become guarded and slightly cold again.

Two more people appear, coming down the hill. From this distance they seem to be coming down for a swim - they can't be wearing much more than swimsuits. But then i think of the cold and the way the wind is trying to penetrate my coat. It may have been late spring when i left australia, but you would have to be mad to want to go swimming here.

As they come closer i can see that they are naked. What have i stumbled across here, a nudist colony? Maybe that was why the mainlanders were suspicious of my wanting to come here.

I look over at Luisa, eyes wide. She shrugs casually, and in that european accent that I can't quite pin, tells me that that is how the servants dress here. Like it's the most normal thing in the world. Then she adds the stinger "Or rather, the slaves".

"Slaves? What are you talking about? Do you mean they treat them like slaves or....." My babbling surprise is cut off as we meet them. One man, one woman, both stark naked except for a metal collar around their necks.

Luisa starts talking in a tone of authority, telling the man to help with my backpack, speaking to the lady civilly but with an air of superiority.

The lady answers her politely and deferentially. The man, however, reaches out and grabs her arm. "You owe me some answers Luisa", he snarls