The Beach (Bai Sha Wan 白沙灣) Day 1

While having breakfast downstairs before setting off for a weekend (well overnight) away, Craig did not eat more than two or three mouthfulls of breakfast. Meanwhile, Craig's Dad looked exactly the way he felt, like he hadn't slept enough because of a hayfever attack.


During the train trip north Craig and his parents had to change trains. While they were waiting on the platform Craig became very concerned about whether or not they were doing the right thing. He seemed to think there were no more trains. Luckily Craig's Mum was there to keep him happy till the next train arrived.


After taking the train to Danshui there was a 40-minute bus ride that no-one enjoyed Upon arrival at the former hotel now bed-and-breakfast place the bags were dumped and lunch became the first order of business.

Craig helped with Craig's Dad's mango smoothie. Craig called it juice and wasn't too interested in being corrected. He was much more interested in drinking.


Due to the lack of a real breakfast, Craig was also interested in eating. All of the chicken from Craig's Dad's sandwich became a part of Craig's lunch.


Then, finally the fun could begin. Craig wore his new rashie both to keep the sun off and to protect him from the very strong wind that was blowing.


Craig's Dad began by digging a hole for Craig to play in. The tide was coming in so it was being dug a few meters from the water's edge.


Pretty soon the hole had enough water in it that Craig could get in to play.


Eventually Craig began having fun in the hole. It provided a tiny bit of shelter from the wind. But, in fact, the rashie played a vital part in keeping him comfy. Several good-on-yers Aunty Annette.


After doing not much else other than digging the hole for Craig for an hour, Craig Dad's washed the sand off his hands in the water and came back to sit down and rest. He would have liked to go for a swim but the lifeguards were being very strict about keeping everyone except surfers and windsurfers out of the water!! It made no sense to Craig's Dad at all.


Just behind Craig's Dad's left arm you can see a windsurfer and behind the sail are some surfers. The waves near the point were small but quite good and in the late afternoon there were more than a dozen guys out there. Some pictures of the surf action can be found here.