0001 COTIJUBA ISLAND WEST COAST
PART 5 (FINAL) FLEXEIRA, NOBODY’S LAND BEACH
I walked on to north for about a km, when I reached
the last beach of this walk. It’s called Flexeira beach. It is virtually
deserted, and people speak a lot about stingrays around here.
Initial and general
view of flexeira beach
I was particularly astounded
to envisage it’s natural beauty. Far ahead and halfway along the curve, one can
see that the tide had flooded a section of it. The thought of having to cross a
flooded area scared me. However, my curiosity overwhelmed me one more time. I
started off along the hot blazing sand, wondering what thinks would be like at
this stage. I was beginning to get tired. I sweated buckets, and humidity only
seemed to increase, along with the wind.
A couple more meters ahead, I
reached a creek which came along a dune, parallel to the shoreline. I then saw
two riverboats down there.
Creek parallel to the
shoreline
Two boats in the
creek
The creek then curved towards the
shore, and the dune followed it. The dune sloped abruptly towards the creek. I
wondered if it would be a good idea, to climb it down and check. However, I
didn’t know which kind of sand was that. Anyway, I marveled at the
Curve of the creek
along the dunes
Then I reached an
area of water, as a result of the high tide. I’ve always been afraid of
entering most waters, but I really wanted to reach the northern part of the
beach. I had come too far. It could be dangerous, but I had to try. So I
entered the waters. There was endless 200 meters to be crossed. In the first 60
meters, the water was already up to my waist. I thought of coming back. But a
feeling of duty kept me on the way. I felt vegetation on the bottom and sand. I
thought to myself: it’s only higher water on the beach sand. However, as the
water reached my chest, I began to wonder if it really would be possible to
reach the other side. I still hadn’t
reached halfway. I waded on. I had to lift my backpack and tennis, which
kept me from taking pictures. I should also mention the fear of the tide, which
was still coming and rising.
I waded past
submerged plants, and sometimes, their branches rubbed me on the legs and
belly. Then, after about 100-120 meters, I almost stumbled on a higher
submerged sandbank, which indicated me that I had finally reached shallower
water.
I was also glad to
know that it would be as shallow, all the way Just until the other side. As I
finally got on dry land, I looked back and saw how far I had come. I couldn’t
believe I had done it alone! I say, without any other human company!
View back on the area
back, flooded by the tide, which I had just crossed
Phew!! I was relieved
to be sound and safe. It took me precisely 20 minutes to wade across the
flooded area. I then walked on. As I looked towards the inland, I noticed that
some creek still accompanied me. This time, I didn’t dare cross it! Besides, I
was getting hungry, and I didn’t want to stop at that stage.
Creek along the beach
Close to the northern
end of Flexeira beach, a found an old boat under trees, where I could get some
shadow. That’s where I decided to make a stop and picnic. I was glad to go up
to that point. I thought of going further, to a beach called ‘Vai-quem-quer’,
which means ‘goes who wants beach’. I just had one more mile ahead of me.
However, I was fascinated with the Flexeira beach, and I ended up staying here
for the afternoon, till is became less sunny, and temperatures dropped a
little. I spend the late afternoon around this beach, bathing in the lagunes
and lying down on the dunes.
Creek water, inviting
for some rest and refreshment
View from the sand
bank where I picnicked before walking back
The creek actually
curved towards the shore, and it was shallow, allowing me to cross it. The was
growing gentler, and I would have a look at the jungle, if I had more time,
money, and supplies, of course. One can also take one of the lanes that
go inland, up to the main road, where the tractor with wagon is supposed to
pass. However, I would have to synchronize with that transport facility, and
that could mean waiting somewhere, instead of moving around. Anyway, I decided
to go all the distance, back again. At least it was no longer so hot!
Curve of the creek
towards the shore
It was late afternoon, when I
started off, back to the south.
I wanted to get the larger boat,
but I don’t know if I would make it. However, once the larger boat was gone, I
still could get a po-po-po-po boat, sailing back across the bay in the evening
down to the nightfall.
Small creek winding
up on the bay.
Despite is was the same way, I
was glad to see it with another color and temperature. It’snot only the views
which change in a trip, but also the climate, weather, temperature and nuances!
View back on the Flexeira Beach. Trudging
back all the way!
In a giving point, I walked past
some trees which had been leaned by the wind (I don’t know if my English is
okay here: correct me if I’m wrong).
Tree inclined or ‘angled’
by the wing
I walked past other inclined
trees, which sounded really surrealistic. The picture may sound as if it had
been reedited, but nothing of that sort was done.
Trees inclined in a
surrealistic way!
I then took a last view of this
beach which I loved. I climbed a small sand hill, to do that.
Last view on the
Flexeira beach
Then I walked a little further
along the beach, to find some wooden stairs, leading to the lane on the upper
part of the island.
Wooden stairs,
leading to the lane on the upper side
I gave up, going by the beach,
since I was almost in a hurry because of the boat schedule. That’s what made me
climb the stairs and break into a stride, all the way to the south, down to the
port.
view upwards to the wooden stairs
View downwards, from
the top of the wooden stairs
Just then, it occurred
to me: perhaps there are many of those stairs, and that could had saved me from
wading across those apparently dangerous waters. Anyway, that is a reflection I
could do on another walk someday on this lovely island. That’s all for this
posting, folks. I hope it inspires other backpackers into going on walks across
the islands around the Capital of the state of Pará, in the east of the Amazon
region. Bye bye everybody!
After tide soil
THE END