I’m staying in the village away from the beach. It’s a five minute walk or so. When the bakery has fresh rolls, it takes longer. Or when I fancy a mango shake, or coconut shake, or stop for water or other such beach support necessities.
Like beaches around the world, everything on the beach is very expensive. Normally, bus stations have inflated prices. I bought an iced coffee at the bus station waiting my trip here. It cost $50 TB when it would normally be $40 TB. Here, on the beach, it was $120 TB. A mango shake is roughly the same price. In the village, I got a coconut shake for $40 TB. Still watching my budget but not being extreme in that regard, I favor the energy of the village.
Walking from here to the beach, this is what I experience.
The road is narrow and busy with part of it serving as a sidewalk. It’s important to stay alert because every 12-year-old boy on a motor bike and many truck drivers are not the safest and most conscientious driver. Inches often separate people from handle bars and side mirrors. As is ever true, it matters to be alert, listen and pay attention. Of course, there are the added distractions to take into account…the bakery, coffee shops, massage shops, fresh fruit stands and such. What a challenging gauntlet.
That said, I’ve never witnessed any one being injured. A natural organic flow seems to evolve amidst the seeming chaos.
Through the National Park entrance, a bit of a joke. The cost for entrance is $200 TB or the same cost of a massage in the village. Never once have I seen any park activity cleaning the beach, not evidence of it being a park and it seems like a large scam to make money for someone’s pocket.
Next, the walkway leading through shops and vendors to the beach, the photo above. Beyond, it’s a world of extraordinarily soft sand and a seascape of ever changing colors.
