Beaches

I said last week that I thought French was one of the most if not the most beautiful languages in the world and upon reflection I think it's a tie with Hawaiian  (at least for me it is)... I've been trying to learn to speak Hawaiian more eloquently and have been reading and using music as a tool.. but perhaps the time has come to enter more formal training at some point in the not too distant future--- but more about that another time as today we are going to visit some of my favorite beaches from around the world ... I must confess this was a heart rending and gut wrenching experience eliminating many on my list so I just decided to write them down on small pieces of paper and throw them up in the air and pick up a hand full and start with these select few...  Maybe I'll go back to the beaches with you later as there are just too many to have to choose.

Surprisingly (or not surprisingly if you know me) quite a few ended up being clothing optional... so I'm going to give you a quick lesson in textile free beach etiquette! Nude beaches are for enjoying the sun and the sea without  clothes... nothing is more annoying than a clothed gawker who shows up just to stare and binoculars and cameras will not endear you to beach goers. If you want to take any photos make sure you have permission (but don't be a douche and post photos of anyone except yourself on the internet unless you have permission) Don't confuse being undressed as an excuse to  engage in any sexual behavior in public... it's not only against the law but it's the reason that some clothing optional beaches have lost their freely clothing optional status... and as always with any beach pack up any garbage you have created and take it with you when you  leave... and finally clothing optional  means that swim attire is  optional so like all the good things in life the choice is yours...

Koloumbo Beach--- Santorini Greece

Koloumbo Beach is beautiful with black volcanic sand on Santorini's northeast coast near the village of Oia (which is also spelled Ia)... if you don't have a car or moped there is a bus from Oia to Baxedes Beach that is very near. After you have passed Baxedes there are some white buildings on the left and soon you will see the parking for Koloumbo Beach and you follow paths down the cliff to the beach.

Playa del Meutro--- Sitges Spain

Playa del Muetro are two pebbly coves that are located not far  south of central Siges... getting there is relatively strenuous so take plenty of water and provisions. Sometimes there is a vendor selling water and snacks but not always. To find it look for the Hotel Terramar... there is a trail at the end of the Atlantida parking lot that becomes a cliff path taking about ten minutes to the first cove and the second cove is just ahead. There is public transportation to the Hotel Terramar or it's about 15 minute walk from town.

Buchans Point Beach--- Cairns Australia

Buchans Point Beach is north of Cairns with is the major town in Far Northern Queensland; Buchans Point separates Ellis Beach from Palm Cove. From Cairns go north on Captain Cook Highway and watch for the turnoff to Palm Cove but don't turn just continue to the next beach parking lot on the coast side of the highway go to the beach by walking south (to the right when facing the ocean) If you don't have a car there is a Cairns bus to Palm Cove and it's about a half hour walk.

Kehena Beach--- Hawaii 

Kehena Beach is on the east end of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the southeastern part of the Big Island known as the Puna District the beach is covered with beautiful black sand that was created by a volcanic eruption in 1955... it's a great place to see marine life but don't attempt to swim unless the water is very calm because the rip tides there are very strong. There are no amenities or facilities so make sure you bring whatever you need and take it with you when you leave... and also black sand gets very, very hot... so bring a sturdy pair of shoes to hike down to the beach and a pair of rubber slippers (flip-flops) to protect your feet from the hot sand. To get there go south on State Route 11 about 7 miles south of Hilo and turn left (southeast) on SR-130 (Keaau-Pahoa bypass road) that will eventually merge into Keaau-Pahoa Road... in about 10 minutes you will reach Pahoa and continue on SR-130 (Pahoa-Kapoho-Kalapana Road) about 10 miles and then turn left (northeast) on SR-137 (Kapoho-Kalpana Road)... there is a trail to the beach near mile marker 19... You will know you are in the right place if you see a long line of cars parked along the highway... I have to include 

Sandy Beach because it's where I learned to body surf before I learned how to use a surf board when I was older... it's on the southeastern corner of Oahu to get there go east on H1 (Lunalilo Freeway) for several miles to the end and then continue on State Route72 (Kalanianole Highway) and continue until just past Halona Point and you will see the turnoff to Sandy Beach... continue just a little further past a stoplight on Kealahou Street and park on the right shoulder of the road (If you pass the Hawaii Kai Golf course entrance you have gone too far) and walk to the beach eastward (left when facing the water)

Herzliya Pituach Beach--- Israel

The Beach in Herzliya is about 7 miles or so up the coast from Tel-Aviv it's a lovely resort area with white sand beaches and well manicured lawns  of the luxury hotels... there are lots of amenities including, food, beverages, lifeguards, showers and bathroom facilities... it's a great place for swimming and snorkeling and I've actually surfed there once.

And if you make the trip to Israel you have to visit the Dead Sea (which is not actually a sea but a lake made up of 30% salt that allows you to float quite easily (Don't shave for a couple of days before and don't get your face in the water and know where the closest source of fresh water is in case you get any in your eyes and make sure to wear something to protect your feet in the water). It's an easy day trip from Jerusalem but I love spending the night to enjoy the spa treatments and a nice meal--- and there is nothing quite as lovely as watching the sun rise over Jordan in the morning.

Praia Mole Santa Catarina Island--- Brazil

The island is off the coast of southern Brazil and the beach is located on the central part of the island's east coast. The streets are narrow and there is a lot of traffic on nice sunny days. To reach the nude part of the beach you have to walk through the textile area until you reach a  bar called Bar do Deca (I don't know if it's still there as I have not visited in a while)... continue walking north (left when facing the ocean) and go around the rocks and you will be in the area known as Praia Galheta.

Spiaggia Nido dell' Aquilla--- San Vincenzo Italy

The village of San Vincenzo is on the Ligurian Sea in Tuscany... to find the beach start in the village and go south on Via della Principessa (SP 23) toward Piombino and after about 10-12 minutes look for some houses spaced far apart and look for parking on the street on the house side and you will see some trees and brush with a path leading to the beach.... walk south on the beach (left when facing the water)

Gunnison Beach (Sandy Hook)  New Jersey---United States

Gunnison Beach is the most popular nude beach in the mid to northern Atlantic coast partially because of it's official clothing-optional designation but it has amenities such as easy access, lifeguards, food, beverages, showers and bathroom facilities. On a clear day you can lay on the beach or play volleyball  with the New York City skyline in the distance. It's super easy to get to by taking the ferry service from Manhattan or you can drive on the Garden State Parkway and exit at 117 and go east on Route 36 until you get to Highlands  and turn on to Atlantic Drive and from Parking Lot G you will see the boardwalk leading to the beach. There is an entrance fee that varies from weekday to weekend or you can buy a season pass. If you take the ferry service the fee is included in the price.

And Last but not least I have to include where my love of the beach and water all started... Trancas Beach 

and El Matador Beach near Malibu...  

Somebody once called me a beach boy and I'm glad a few people still do... It's where I go to dream my dreams and make new plans and recharge my battery and refresh my soul... and things pop into my head... sometimes old conversations or memories and sometimes lines from plays, movies, books or songs... and I was thinking recently about the movie "Author! Author!" with Al Pacino, Tuesday Weld and Diane Cannon about a playwright whose marriage  has crumbled and he starts a new romance while opening his new play on broadway while trying to keep his splintered diverse family intact... and what I was thinking about specifically was  the scene near the end about  the character Gloria and her children from her previous marriages...

'It's a tough thing for me to say but nobody wants Gloria's kids... Gloria doesn't want them that's for sure... nobody wants them and nobody's going to fight for them in court... nobody loves them enough to give them a home... we've got to do it.'

That scene just broke my heart in what is a touching and funny movie and I've carried the memory of it with me since I first saw it... because everyone needs a place where you are loved and remembered and treasured and revered no matter where the world takes you. It's important to know how to create that place for yourself and those you love as an adult... it has to be a place where you fit and you feel like you belong. I've never had to try to fit in or belong in New York City or Hawaii but have met many people who did not as I was unable for some reason or another not to fit comfortably or belong in some the places  in the world they have found for themselves... you should not have to try too hard or it's just not the right place or time for you to be there... understanding that makes some decisions particularly in regard to staying or leaving much easier.

So this week we have gone towards the sea or makai in Hawaiian and next week we will go towards the mountains or mauku. Both are places so unalike but where I feel my best... see you next week!