Returning to a familiar stretch of beach which was once one of my favourite places for my daily walk. It has been years since I came for a stroll here. It was very nostalgic parking up and gazing out over the Indian Ocean.
The sun deliciously warm.
The air salty.
I realised how much I miss living a few minutes from the beach, yet I do not miss the endless sea of houses that are crammed tightly together in the overpopulated coastal areas.
This stretch of pristine beach is Mindarie, and thankfully despite suburbia surrounding it, the sand dunes haven't been destroyed like they have in other coastal areas in Perth.
Sand dunes provide habitat for various reptiles and birds. They also serve as a barrier that protects erosion of the coastline. I find the vista of sandy dunes far more pleasing than that of houses.
The water was warm and the moment my skin felt it's warm embrace I felt instantly rejuvenated.
The ocean has been calling a lot this year, and I am glad that I follow it's whispered invites.
I find the ocean a fascinating and dangerous place.
The rip currents are extremely strong here and if you are not a confident and strong swimmer you can find yourself in trouble. Beaches like this one are not patrolled by any lifesavers, so it's mainly only the locals that would take a dip here.
It's also a favoured place for surfers.
I remember a day many years ago when I was taking photos from the road I saw a shark swimming near a group of surfers. It was really large and probably a great white, and not interested in the surfers in the least. It swam underneath them for a while before heading out to deeper depths.
As I ambled on after a refreshing dip I simply enjoyed the sound of breaking waves as my feet sunk into the wet sand, warm water continuing to cleanse me.
I did notice a couple of tiny crab holes, their tiny footprints left in the sand around their homes. I sat and waited in case they might pop out. But I wasn't in luck this particular day...
