an early misty morning stroll to the Arabian Sea

if we take the most direct path to the beach it's only about a 200 meter walk but there are several other options that go through the neighborhood on the way. since we had been away for a while we decided to tak one of the more roundabout routes to say hello to some of the neighbors and see what has happened during our absence. the properties near the beach are undergoing a lot of development geared toward accommodating the increasing number of tourists visiting the area. it does seem that the number of new establishments is unwarranted based on the growth in local tourism which is actually quite seasonal. and so it is most likely that many of the businesses will operate at a loss. at the same time the local charm of being in the surroundings of nature is disappearing and while many tourists may prefer a well developed tourism infrastructure, this area will not be able to compete with nearby Goa and the ones seeking a peaceful family friendly natural setting will look elsewhere as the nature disappears

here is a nearby plot with obvious plans for a commercial enterprise. the cement structure on the left is a well. i've never seen such a high well before and am both curious and wary of what the purpose for such height could be. the stacks of stone blocks in the middle are laterite, which is the most common building material for housing. but let's leave all that behind for now

because we have arrived at the beach. this is what it's all about. the joy of a stroll along this natural beach in the cool morning mist is hard to describe. i have to say that while having the beach in such a natural state is awesome, there is a problem with people, both locals and visitors leaving their trash and nobody to pick it up. it's a problem all around India that keeps a great number of foreign tourists away. years ago this beach was fondly called Paradise Beach but today it would be more apt to refer to it as Paradise Lost. even so, a morning stroll on the beach is still a great way to start the day

and while the beach is mostly empty, nearest the most developed section are a few early risers accustomed to overlooking the trash are enjoying the serene moment before sunrise

not a bad choice, all in all