Beach walk
There I was, standing on a beach in Senegal, close to the village of Ponto, a bit south of M’bour, feeling like I’d stumbled into a private paradise.
The first thing that hit me was how empty it was—gloriously empty. Not the kind of empty that makes you feel lonely, but the kind that makes you feel like the universe saved this place just for you. The sand stretched out for what seemed like miles in both directions, with only the rhythmic swoosh of the waves and the occasional caw of a bird breaking the silence. Just perfect to a long walk after late late breakfast to explore the countryside.
Hey Hive Family
enjoy the sun and the water
and let us travel the world again
Walking
I kicked off my shoes and stepped onto the warm sand. It felt almost too perfect, like I was walking into a postcard. The water? That perfect shade of blue that draws you in without a second thought. So, of course, I waded in.
The cool water rushed over my ankles, and that was it—I was hooked. Standing there, with the waves gently lapping at my legs and the sky wide open above me, I felt a kind of peace that’s hard to come by. It was just me, the ocean, and the horizon stretching into forever. Only a few rocks at the beach marked some kind of distance.
When Reality Sneaks In
But, of course, not everything can be perfect. As I walked further down the beach, I started noticing little patches of litter scattered here and there. It wasn’t a full-blown disaster—just some plastic bottles, a couple of wrappers. Little reminders that even paradise gets a bit rough around the edges sometimes. I grumbled about it for a moment, but then the ocean caught my eye again. I maybe should spend some time to do a #cleanplanet walk to post into this cool #hive community. There are some days left in paradise.
The sunlight bouncing off the water, the waves crashing in their hypnotic rhythm—it was enough to make me forget the litter entirely. Sure, the beach wasn’t pristine, but it was real, and somehow that made it better.
Finding that unique Hut
After a good long walk, I saw something that made me stop. It was a small hut, barely held together with driftwood and palm fronds, sitting just above the high tide line. In front of it, there was a man, relaxed as could be, with an boom box playing music beside him. The music—mbalax, they call it—was this vibrant, fast rhythm that made you want to move even if you had no idea how. I forgot his name or I didn’t understood it correctly, so I named him Moussa, as this was the closest we could agree on.
He waved me over with a broad grin and offered me a spot next to him like we were old friends. I sat down, and we exchanged a few awkward words, a mix of broken French, English, and Wolof. But really, we didn’t need to talk much. His music was doing all the communicating. The music was this perfect blend of drums and melody that seemed to sync with the crash of the waves, and Moussa hummed along, tapping his bare feet in the sand. It was one of those moments where you don’t need conversation. The sun was starting to dip, and there was nothing to do but sit back and enjoy it.
He offered me a cup of tea but I had my water and no money at all with me - to pay anything he might ask for, even as this might be the typical way to make even more friendship. Sure, this place deserve it and I grabbed into my bag and got another one from my few #Worldmappin stickers to stick this to his hut. No we have another cool #ProofOfPin to this unique place.
So, I started my way back, while watching the colors of the sky shift from golden to pink. The music, the personality of this young guy, the sound of the ocean—it all blended together into this perfect, peaceful rhythm. I’ve sat in fancy cafes and high-end bars, but nothing compared to that rickety little hut with Moussa and his old boom box. We will meet again and I will be prepared.
My way back
After all that walking and the lovely voice from, I realized something: I was thirsty. Not just “oh, I could use a drink” thirsty—I was parched. My water bottle, which I’d so confidently packed that morning, was now bone dry, and suddenly, the idea of trudging back to my hotel through the sand seemed like a mini-marathon.
I gave my new friend again a wave, thanked him with this for the time staying at his place, and headed back. As I navigated my way along the beach, the sun continuing its slow descent, all I could think about was the cold drink that would be waiting for me back at the hotel. With each step, I imagined that first sip of something icy, something refreshing, something that wasn’t hot tea or tepid water from the bottle I’d drained two hours ago.
By the time I reached the hotel, I was practically daydreaming about that cold drink. I stepped into the breezy lobby, feet still sandy, and made a beeline for the bar. And there it was—a tall, frosty big glass of Flag beer or better two.
The First Sip of Flag Beer
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever been truly thirsty, but let me tell you, that first sip was like a revelation. Flag beer isn’t fancy, but when it’s cold, fresh from the tap, it’s the stuff of legends.
The glass was sweating in the humid air, beads of condensation rolling down the glass as I tipped it back and let the beer wash over my dry throat. It was crisp, with just the right amount of fizz, and that subtle, slightly bitter edge that makes you close your eyes and sigh in satisfaction. Luckily, I’m such a smart guy, as I ordered two refreshments as the first was already empty but my thirst still there.
The Flag taste
The taste? Pure refreshment. Light, not too heavy or overpowering, with a mellow maltiness that somehow fits perfectly with the warm Senegalese air. There’s a hint of sweetness in there too, balanced out by a clean, dry finish that makes you want to take another sip immediately. It was exactly what I needed after that long walk under the sun. Nothing to compare with the great Belgium beers but nothing to complain at all.
I sat there for a while, slowly working through the beers, letting the cool liquid bring me back to life. The bar was quiet, a few other travelers scattered about, and the breeze from the ocean drifted in, mixing with the sounds of distant waves. In that moment, that cold beer felt like a well-deserved reward, the perfect end to a day spent exploring the beauty—and reality—of Senegal’s beaches.
With each sip, I could feel my #beerlover energy coming back, and by the time I finished that two, I was ready to do it all over again tomorrow. There’s something about Flag beer that just fits here. Maybe it’s the simplicity of it, or maybe it’s the way it seems to go down even better when you’ve earned it after a long, hot day. Either way, that first bottle won’t be my last.
The Beach in Golden Light
It was one of those afternoons that sticks with you. Not because of anything grand or spectacular, but because it was simple and real. Just a quiet beach, a stranger’s hospitality, and the feeling that, for a little while at least, I’d found a place where the world slowed down enough for me to really take it all in. Sure, the two beers did a great job at the end.
Now what?
After all that “hard work of exploring” it is time to relax.
Have a great day everybody
and let us travel the world again
pic by @detlev
have 3 pics and a story
around beer - and go!
Enjoy the #BeerSaturday
@Detlev loves HIVE
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I was wondering where this walk might lead us... and it was to the bar! LOL I know that putting ice into beer is sacrilege, but I do like what they do in Greece with the frozen beer glasses.
Ice into the beer.
I prefer cold glasses and a cold beer from the tap.
What a lovely spot to unwind! This paradise beach is the perfect escape to wash away all those stressful days. Just imagine soaking in the peaceful vibes and letting your worries melt away!
I love to stay even some time longer.
But work is calling
It would be a pleasure to be on beautiful beaches, to unwind. tasting a beer.
Success in your publication.
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It is definitely spectacular to find such a beautiful and big place just for you. Walking on the beach is magical at any time of the day, especially when it is sunrise or sunset.
Definitivamente es espectacular encontrar un lugar tan hermoso y grande solo para tí. Caminar en la playa es mágico a cualquier hora del día sobretodo cuando se trata del amanecer o del ocaso.
Thanks a lot - I love the sunsets
Really nice post, dear @detlev... lovely writing, which transported me to where you were 🤗🌟🌞🏝️
Feel invited to any lonely beach...
... when you are there pls picture it and add to worldmappin
🤗🐝
Yes! We have a lot of new adventures to share on Hive.... Once I get the Worldmappin format figured out better; it has been very difficult to upload images there, so will try again soon 🙏🤲
Just use http://peakd.com and their lovely integration into worldmappin
Aye, I was using PeakD - maybe the browser is a problem...
You find it right next to descriptionHave a look for the #worldmappin button
Have a good time there.
I do. Next step is diving and wild animals
Nothing beats an empty beach!
Glad you didn’t die of dehydration out in that deserted paradise!
Not sure if beer counts as hydration, but your description was certainly mouth watering!
🤣
Hehe, beer is containing a lot Water. So it counts ;-)
That was some sweet prose, @detev, I like how poetic it all sounded. Great to see how much fun you had in Africa. Would there be more locations?
Some safari, a report about Dakar and maybe something about the hotel we stay.
All this depends on my mood to write
You write so well, man, you should write more 🙂
Hehe, I wrote already a bunch of books, many magazines and tons of articles in my business world.
But a good text or article here on Hive need time, before that it need ideas and even more time to finish it with great pictures.
Wow. Well, I thought as much. I thought you had to be some kind of pro. Alright, that's cool. Take your time and do your thing, then.
!BEER and some fun.
View or trade
BEER.BEERHey @nevies, here is a little bit of from @detlev for you. Enjoy it!BEER at dCity game to buy cards to rule the world.Did you know that <a href='https://dcity.io/cityyou can use
Moussa and mbalax will definitely be enjoying when you have couple of beers. Simple and real remains enjoyable forever, but grand fades away sometimes.
Wow! You are in Senegal?
Yeah, next time we might go where you just travel. Africa has so many things to see.
How do you get that @worldmappin stickers to stick to places ? And how does that advertisement help this place ? Any post around that ?
We made 500 Stickers for HiveFest and added two stickers to each attendee bag. There are a lot #ProofOfPin posts from Split and around.
Now, we got a lot demand for stickers and there will be very soon a post from @worldmappin with the printable graphic of the sticker (a huge file in CMYK colors) that you might use for create own ones with your local printing company.
Sending them through the world is more expensive and there is some kind of printer in each town.
The place will get a real people review, that will attract more visitors. Have a look to the posts from the coffee place in Split that - a day later - accept as well HBD.
So, the sticker might be a first step for any place.
Tag me when you make that post.
Such an amazing place to have a walk.
It was and we tend to forget that this might exists just around the corner
I know that feeling of being really thirsty and thinking about what drink is waiting for you all the way. The beer looks very refreshing 😍.
It was refreshing...
You've found a little piece of paradise with this beach... And the cold beer waiting for you on your return, just perfect... Too bad about the plastics, but now that pollution is everywhere.
Enjoy your day
Today I saw more people acting on the plastics. Some carried it out of the water into the big yellow trash cans at the beach.
I often walk around with a bag to pick up a little... but it seems so derisory.
It's motivating to see that others are doing it too
I love empty beaches, I surely can't stars a crowded beach ⛱️
The walk - with no other people - was so nice. Love the wide area, the sound of the water and all the little critters around the water.
!PIZZA
On the way back, it was fun to feel the effort to get to the beer in the hotel.
the metaphor was legendary. You made the connection sentences with the pictures very well. Congratulations.
That feeling of peace when you’re alone on a beach and it's just you and the waves it’s like everything else disappears for a moment.
Yes….
I am also a perfectionist and I would also scold those who tried to spoil this desert paradise with bottles. and the Hut of that aboriginal Moussa looks so authentic and so aboriginal. Mind you, because suddenly he is still one of those semi-cannibals and tries to lure you into a trap with kind hospitality, I'm joking😁 also it's so cool that you stick stickers in new places😮 this is a great report and pic, my friend, love it😍
I love to travel the less touristy places. This is easy here in Senegal 🇸🇳 and as well in many other countries.
An empty beach, new friends and a bar? Sounds like a proper adventure :) love me a deserted beach.
Hey @honeydue you would love this place and the friendly and open minded people I met here in Senegal.
Love to finish our conversation about that topic you are writing about. Just need to find the time for that interesting talk we started in Split.
I bet I would! Though personally, I couldn't resist a swim in that beautiful water.
Of course! I'm sure we'll find a time now that the conversation is open :)