Rippled & drifted sand around rock

Seems like visiting the beach means different things to different people including sports, collecting, walking, watching, listening and just absorbing the energy.

Living at least half the year in Arizona means I rarely get to the beach.  Unless you count back millions of years to the sediments deposited here from ocean beaches of the past.  But while on holiday I had the choice of two oceans for beaches in South Africa, the Indian and Atlantic.

Indian Ocean Kidds Beach SA

Indian Ocean

After almost three weeks traveling through National Parks in the northeast of South Africa it was almost time to say goodbye to my friend and travel companion Joan so we headed to the beach for a couple days.

Person on Bushmans River Mouth beach SA

Was terribly windy our first day near Bushman’s River Mouth.  But we lucked out on a better sheltered beach later and it was just nice to walk barefoot on the sand.

Crab in tidepool Kidds Beach SA

On our last night together we stayed at Seaview B&B in Kidds Beach which is more rock than sand but offered some interesting looks into tide pools.

Sunrise over Indian Ocean Kidds Beach SA

And a glorious sunrise.

Tsitsikamma National Park

One of my favorite things to do at the beach is just sit and listen to the crashing waves which I did for a couple of days at Storms River Mouth Tsitsikamma National Park.  In fact I was so transfixed that after leaving here to visit a friend I returned for a couple of days staying in shore-side chalets.  I sat on the porch and absorbed the ocean energy.

Seagulls Tsitsikamma NP Storms River Mouth SA

Being joined by the seagulls who were also looking for handouts.  Or were they waiting for their turn on the laptop?

Sunrise Storms River Mouth Tsitsikamma NP SA

Morning coffee with a dose of sunrise reflecting on the ocean spray captivated my attention.

Sunset Storms River Mouth Tsitsikamma NP SA

And hours later I was still enthralled with these never ceasing always changing waves and colors.

Playing in the waves at Tsitsikamma NP Nature's Valley SA

While staying at Wild Spirit Backpackers Lodge everybody becomes friends so several of us headed to the nearby beach in Nature’s Valley, also part of Tsitsikamma National Park.  We jumped and splashed with much laughing and giggling.  Drawing our names in the sand and helping little Bongi get over her fear of the waves.

Fishermen on the beach at Tsitsikamma NP Nature's Valley SA

Just down the beach these two fishermen were trying their best yet I never saw a fish come off the lines.  Could be just another way to enjoy the beach.

Kite surfing Langebaan SA

Atlantic Ocean

After a great mountain fix I arrived on the west coast at Langebaan where I saw people kite surfing.  Lessons are offered but  I didn’t fly over the ocean as my shoulders won’t take it.  I would have if I could have.  And although I really had no intention of swimming I did buy a bikini, first one in decades.  Sorry no photo to gross you out.

I spent most of my time enjoying West Coast National Park in Langebaan and got in a few more beaches as well.

Bird hides along the Saldanha Bay provided a quiet opportunity to watch the birds on the beach without disturbing them.  My favorite was the flamingos with their crazy legs.

Red-knobbed Coot West Coast NP Langebaan SA

Sometimes even the birds hide like this Red-knobbed Coot.

Shells on beach West Coast NP Langebaan SA

And there were plenty of shells to admire

Seagull West Coast NP Langebaan SA

along the Atlantic shore with it’s crashing waves.

Old building West Coast NP Langebaan SA

I’m kind of more a mountain and forest person so the beach is an environment of unfamiliar wonder.  I think I could live here, at least for a while.

What kind of activities do you enjoy most at the beach?

Linking in with Boomer Travel Blogger Roundup this month with a beach theme.  Hope you’ll visit all these exquisite beach posts.