Photos: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151359104996961.1073741826.562066960&type=1&l=edfbbe8017
So, how long does it take to establish a routine? Seemingly a day!! We got up this morning around 8:30-9:00, wandered idly along the sea shore to the restaurant about 300 yards away, listening to the crashing waves, our minds numbed with the endless ocean, palm trees, and soft sand, and ate breakfast. Same as yesterday, included in the room rate, $60, an omelette and a few semi-browned rounds of french bread, pineapple jam, and a packet of Nescafe. Then we phaffed around in the cabin cleaning it up a bit, and preparing for our walk to Tokeh Beach about 3 or 4 kilometres away. When we went out, Jamie and his 2 girlfriends were already ensconced on the beach. We left them our room key and set off. We got a ferryman to take us across the river, then continued on our way, once again lulled into mindlessness by the repetition of the waves against the shore. Tokeh was an interesting spot. Endless white sands, endless ocean. I think this area was pretty hard hit during the war, but also, according to Juliette at the Cockle Point Guest House, the heyday for tourism here was about the '50s, '60s, and early '70s. There were several beautiful old developments that have been abandoned. One owned by a Lebanese man whose family has owned the property for over a 100 years. This was in ruins but had clearly been lovely in its day. The other was a new development owned by a company, but the owner had died and the family couldn't do anything with it. It was like a small development of two story condos built in a U-shape facing the beach. Next to all of this was a brand new development at the building stage which is apparently going to be an all inclusive resort. Then there were some already operating resorts (2 or 3) and some tents. Around the point the fishing boats were lying in wait to go out to see in the evening. The beach was pretty well deserted. We met one guy who was working, or sleeping, at the building site, then another guy who knew where we were staying - right down to the room number - scary - trying to sell us coconuts, but also an investment - we didn't get too involved but it seemed like he was trying to give a portion of this hut, and that was it.
When we reached the river on the way back we got a young guy to row us to the Cockle Point GH for lunch. He was a little immature in his bargaining techniques and tried to charge us twice as much as we had agreed to. First time anyone has done that on the whole trip. We met Pauleen from Guinea and Andreas from Germany again, had a lovely swim in the lagoon, I had barracuda and chips for lunch, delicious! Ray had an Indian curry! Then one of Nathan and Juliette's staff showed us the way across the river estuary through the mango swamp and the water. Couldn't have done this in high tide as we were literally walking on the corrugated ocean floor.
Once back, we discovered Jamie had headed back to Freetown. The two girls were still there. We had a couple of swims in the ocean playing in the surf, my knees are rubbed raw from the semi body surfing, a lie in the sun and soon it was time to say "goodbye" to the girls. They are visiting someone in the British High Commissioner's Office but they are both from Jamie's home town in England.
We had a shower and cleaned ourselves up a bit and will head to dinner 300 feet away around 7:30 p.m.
It has been so long since Ray and I lounged about at the beach, but this is a beautiful spot to do it in. It is definitely not a 5 star resort, but the beautfy, simplicicy, and peacefulness are really what we are enjoying. We have also chatted to many people and heard their stories and by listening, have learned a little bit more about West Africa. I am slowly letting go of the Internet, my cell phone, and the need to rush around achieing things!! I am totally lulled by the beauty of West Africa.
So, how long does it take to establish a routine? Seemingly a day!! We got up this morning around 8:30-9:00, wandered idly along the sea shore to the restaurant about 300 yards away, listening to the crashing waves, our minds numbed with the endless ocean, palm trees, and soft sand, and ate breakfast. Same as yesterday, included in the room rate, $60, an omelette and a few semi-browned rounds of french bread, pineapple jam, and a packet of Nescafe. Then we phaffed around in the cabin cleaning it up a bit, and preparing for our walk to Tokeh Beach about 3 or 4 kilometres away. When we went out, Jamie and his 2 girlfriends were already ensconced on the beach. We left them our room key and set off. We got a ferryman to take us across the river, then continued on our way, once again lulled into mindlessness by the repetition of the waves against the shore. Tokeh was an interesting spot. Endless white sands, endless ocean. I think this area was pretty hard hit during the war, but also, according to Juliette at the Cockle Point Guest House, the heyday for tourism here was about the '50s, '60s, and early '70s. There were several beautiful old developments that have been abandoned. One owned by a Lebanese man whose family has owned the property for over a 100 years. This was in ruins but had clearly been lovely in its day. The other was a new development owned by a company, but the owner had died and the family couldn't do anything with it. It was like a small development of two story condos built in a U-shape facing the beach. Next to all of this was a brand new development at the building stage which is apparently going to be an all inclusive resort. Then there were some already operating resorts (2 or 3) and some tents. Around the point the fishing boats were lying in wait to go out to see in the evening. The beach was pretty well deserted. We met one guy who was working, or sleeping, at the building site, then another guy who knew where we were staying - right down to the room number - scary - trying to sell us coconuts, but also an investment - we didn't get too involved but it seemed like he was trying to give a portion of this hut, and that was it.
When we reached the river on the way back we got a young guy to row us to the Cockle Point GH for lunch. He was a little immature in his bargaining techniques and tried to charge us twice as much as we had agreed to. First time anyone has done that on the whole trip. We met Pauleen from Guinea and Andreas from Germany again, had a lovely swim in the lagoon, I had barracuda and chips for lunch, delicious! Ray had an Indian curry! Then one of Nathan and Juliette's staff showed us the way across the river estuary through the mango swamp and the water. Couldn't have done this in high tide as we were literally walking on the corrugated ocean floor.
Once back, we discovered Jamie had headed back to Freetown. The two girls were still there. We had a couple of swims in the ocean playing in the surf, my knees are rubbed raw from the semi body surfing, a lie in the sun and soon it was time to say "goodbye" to the girls. They are visiting someone in the British High Commissioner's Office but they are both from Jamie's home town in England.
We had a shower and cleaned ourselves up a bit and will head to dinner 300 feet away around 7:30 p.m.
It has been so long since Ray and I lounged about at the beach, but this is a beautiful spot to do it in. It is definitely not a 5 star resort, but the beautfy, simplicicy, and peacefulness are really what we are enjoying. We have also chatted to many people and heard their stories and by listening, have learned a little bit more about West Africa. I am slowly letting go of the Internet, my cell phone, and the need to rush around achieing things!! I am totally lulled by the beauty of West Africa.
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