There's a penance to pay in a place so beautiful. We came loaded with cans and bottles of potions to ward off mosquitos, sandflies, no see um's, and all the other nasty biting critters that have scared us away up until now. We've gone through a large can of Deep Woods Off and will be needing another since Deet seems to work best. We're also taking anti-malarials which may not be needed. So far we seem to be winning the battle of the bugs, but I hesitate to even say that. Knock on wood.
Walking back from West Bay this afternoon, we saw two women who've lost the battle. They were sitting directly on the sand in swimsuits at water's edge reading books. All their exposed extremities were covered with large sores, bites, welts, and rashes. They looked like Survivor victims, but there they were lolling about on the sand without even a towel underneath on a stretch of undeveloped beach that isn't maintained or raked. Craig and I simultaneously said duh once we were beyond ear shot. I'll just say it doesn't take a rocket scientist . . . .
When the cruise ships aren't in port, basically Friday through Monday, West End and West Bay are relatively uncrowded and laid back. Today we walked the length of West Bay beach to the very end where the sand meets the lush hillside. This end of the beach is snorkeling nirvana.
Very few people were out in the water.
Vendor's booths sat unmanned.
Santa was trying to sell cigars, but there were no takers.
Water taxis and tour boats sat waiting for customers.
And stretches of sand were almost vacant.
Since tomorrow's Sunday, we expect to see more of the same. Let me point out that this is the holidays when most tropical destinations are packed.
I think this island has been saved by the bugs.
