Janet's Journal

Just time for a last visit before the end of the year.  A small apartment near the harbour was a perfect choice to stay.  Easy walking into town or the beach and a surprisingly quiet location.

It was very noticeable again how few tourists are here. All the restaurants and cafes along the normally busy Lewis Place have few people dining out.

I decided I would book a boat trip from Brown’s Beach.  Life jacket on and shaded from the sun by a small canopy we set off out to sea and to get close to the ship’s engine which is a landmark in the bay. 

It is huge when up close and I believe a good location for snorkelling and collecting mussels. Not something I wanted to do, it looked too dangerous for my liking.

We continued past the wreck, slowing to see the reefs guarding Morawala Beach on the west side of Pitipana village. The beach was originally named after the sharks who came to breed and give birth to their young in the sheltered waters inside the reef.

Tourists and locals alike love to swim and snorkel inside the reef, often the water is very clear enabling you to see the teeming marine life living in the calm waters.  Coral, sea urchins, mussels, and a myriad of tropical fish can be seen. There are dangerous currents outside the reef and deep water.

Our Lady of Good Voyage Church, Duwa with its beautiful statue of Our Lady looking out to sea is best seen from the water.

From here the boat went through the fishing harbour and under the bridge into the lagoon. We stopped briefly near the bridge to buy some fruit cake and biscuits.  That seemed a nice idea!

We pulled into little Winsunduwa Island where I got down and walked across sticky sand, with thousands of little crabs scuttling for safety, and a surprisingly a large statue of Christ.  Managing not to slip over I got back into the boat for the next stop.  

I was still hoping for my little picnic of fruit cake and biscuits – how silly of me! The next stop was monkey island where the inhabitants are so tame, they come onto the boat and gently take the food offered.  Needless to say, the sweet treats were for them.

We slowly made our back up the lagoon enjoying the wildlife before going back under the bridge and into the sea.  

Pausing to view the Beach Fish Market before setting out to sea a little and a high speed run back to Brown’s Beach. Thankfully we got back before the storm broke.

Sebastian told me to hold on tight as he drove the boat right up onto the sand. A very enjoyable hour and a half.