A Journey to Golden Beach

I had decided to do something adventurous, something that I had always planned on doing, something that I had not done... it was time, so today I was heading out to: PLAYA DORADILLO (Golden Beach) Today I have decided to write my diary entry here instead of (re-)writing a story. It tells most of the story, but in less detail. The photos that follow should fill in the rest of the details (Rob):

Today was our "day off" as we have been busy in the school all weekend this time. My day started with a doctor's appointment at 7am in Covitre, but they opened late (at 7.40am) so I missed the sunrise which I wanted to watch out at the "Indio" (Indian) - but I decided to go anyway. A fierce wind was blowing with me as I went, and opposed me as I returned, but it was great to get out and about a little and see a little more of this town of mine. Breakfast was at my favourite place - Bonafides coffee shop, although the cost is pretty high, at $25 pesos for an orange juice and toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. ... Once that was done, I had decided to do something adventurous, something that I had always planned on doing, something that I had not done because it was windy, or I was looking for better weather or some other reason (time comes to mind). Today was hugely windy, part of my day was already gone, and large clouds were staring to form - but it was time, so today I was heading out to: PLAYA DORADILLO (Golden Beach) This was a place that I had often heard about, but never been to. So, after stopping to load up with biscuits, chocolate, and water, I headed off the main highway onto the dirt road that led the way, accompanied by huge clouds of dust. This was an adventure, not just a journey, so at the first side-road I dived off and headed down the hill, wind behind me, getting closer to the coast. Rubbish lined the side of these roads but the place was deserted. Soon I found myself at the top of huge cliffs falling into the sea, turquoise waters surged around submerged rocks, and noise birds fought the strong wind. I continued hugging the coast, occasionally able to reach lower down, a couple of times even reaching the pebbly beaches in tiny alcoves, nestled amongst the white, dusty and crumbly cliffs. Along the way I encountered birds nests amongst thorn bushes, a bird singing at the top of its lungs that allowed me to get really close, a critter scurrying along the ground amongst the thorns with its home in a hole in the ground that looked like a guinea pig, a lone seal on the cliffs, a sea bird sleeping in a cave, and many beautiful views. Reaching the goal revealed a beautiful, huge beach of fine sand. Down one end were cliffs dotted with caves, and this was my first point of call. The caves did not lead too deeply into the cliffs, and were clearly created by the waves and water. Turning around and heading the other way, I had the wind behind me and the sand whipping past me into the sea. The highlight along this beach was a flock of pink flamingos that were wading in the shallows as I rode past them. Having reaching my destination it was now time to return home. Most of my journey had been wit hthe wind and now it was time to fight it all the way back home. Dust clouds swirled around me and sand bit into my face, making it hard to see. Cars passing my left me with a film of dust all over, and the bike wobbled and waved as I struggled against the strong wind and sandy road. Music playing in my ears, head down to keep sand out of my eyes, and eyes on the road just before me, I continued, determinedly onward, knowing that little by little I would be getting closer to home. Finally, back on the tarmac, I was only several kilometres from town. Even with the wind beating against me, the hardest part had been won and my spirit was now high, so the rest of the journey seemed easy. It was now 4pm so I stopped in for a quick lunch, headed to town for a haircut, and at 5pm was on my way back to the Quintas and my base. By now it was freezing, and the wind was even stronger, and the last 3kms became the hardest distance that I covered over the entire trip. A shower to remove the dust, some food, and the only place my exhausted body wanted to be was bed. It was time for a very early night. The days was excellent, an adventure and time of discovery. I took lots of photos, and experienced many beautiful places. My SPD Shimano shoe pedal clips gave me problems along the way - even causing me to fall more than once when my shoe refused to detach from the pedal. Now amount of "fixing" it worked, so on my return I locked that foot in, and never took it out again.