“I am one of the searchers…
We like to walk along the beach,
we are drawn by the ocean,
taken by its power,
its unceasing motion,
its mystery and unspeakable beauty.”
James Kavanaugh
Is there anything more compelling than a path that leads to somewhere wondrous? The forest, the mountains, the beach?
Over the holidays Bear and I were able to take a mini-vacation to our beloved ocean and how we basked in it! We stayed with Bear’s lovely sister and brother-in-law in Burleigh Heads, Queensland and had the most wonderful time.
We strolled along The Esplanade in the cooler morning hours, sharing stories and laughter, stopping often to sigh happily at the views or find a shady spot to watch people and birds.
The beach at Burleigh Heads is a wonderful place, a combination of wooded shoreline, vine-covered dunes, and vast expanses of soft white sand.
Even though it was Summer Holidays, it never felt crowded or busy. There were always open benches for sitting and oodles of room on the beach for leisurely strolls or snoozes in the sunshine.
I explored the beach itself, marveling at the powdery sand, the water that felt so brisk after the scorching heat, the sun-dappled woods that gave glimpses of the sea through gnarled branches.
We spent hours on the balcony, sipping cuppas and eating fresh fruit as we watched the surf crash against the sand, luxuriating in the salty breezes that lulled us into afternoon naps.
I loved how the water changed colors throughout the day. First thing in the morning it was like burnished silver until the sun rose, turning it into a rainbow of blues and turquoises. Later, as clouds scudded overhead, the blue was replaced by deep grays, soft and fierce at the same time.
Next time I want to bring a blanket down to this very spot, a hideaway among the trees.
What sort of place would your ideal pathway lead to? xo
We should never take our beautiful coastline for granted, and your photos do it justice, Krista. Any place like this is wonderful, but my preference is somewhere less populous than the Gold Coast with all its high rise apartments. I love the great bird shot.
That would definitely be my favorite too, @Kayrpea61:disqus . I infinitely prefer the wild places. This is one spot on the Gold Coast I like since the trees separate it from the high rises and streets. 🙂
🙂
The beach is only 5 minutes from here and I love taking a blanket and a book and the dog and spending a quiet hour. I love your photos!
How wonderful, @disqus_v9uRgGTGfe:disqus ! 🙂 That sounds like such a fantastic way to spend an hour. 🙂
I love the beach… it somehow seems to bring a feeling of peace and balance. Both things I sorely need in my life!! Loving your photos, and it’s fun to see how much they are like my beach, yet how much the are different. Cute lifeguard hut!! Ours are made of blue plastic… yours are much nicer. And it’s interesting to see the city so close to the beach! Thanks for the photos, and I”m so glad you had such a wonderful mini vacation! Sometimes a few days away is all one needs to reset. Enjoy!
I’m so glad you live near the beach, @kimlivlife:disqus 🙂 It IS so restorative. I like the lifeguard huts too!! XO
Oh my goodness, this makes me crave the beach! My parents always had land at the south coast and then built a house at Malua Bay in NSW, a beautiful part of the world. I so miss it…. and my parents too of course!
What wonderful memories you must have, @lizposmyk:disqus 🙂 My family spent vacations at the beach in Oregon when I was little, and I loved it so much. 🙂 A very different ocean/beach to this one, but just as beautiful. 🙂
gorgeous photos, i love to spend my time there too. thanks for sharing.
I’m so glad you like this area too, @cquek:disqus 🙂 It is a wonderful spot. 🙂
I’m with Ken – that shot of the ibis (?) is lovely. Your photographs never fail to transport me away to somewhere wonderful. You have such a great eye. xx
Thank you, Kate! 🙂 He was a cheeky one, and I had to wait for him to walk sloooooowly along the fence until he got in the clearing so I could get this shot. 🙂 So glad you like it. 🙂
I would spread it out right there too Krista. These are all the wonderful feelings I have too when I get to the beachside. What a lovely break
Isn’t it a splendid spot, @taniamykitchenstoriescomau:disqus ? 🙂
My path would lead to an Australian Beach every time. I have spent so many happy times on the beach. Carefree holidays with parents, then with our own children and my sister-in-law with her kids and now by ourselves. The one constant has been the beach. I have a happy place I go to in my head and it is a blue beach house that we spent one of our happiest family holidays at. It is in Pelican Street at Peregian Beach on the Sunshine Coast. My beach paths can also be in Asia – Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, but not so much in a colder climate – I guess I am programmed for heat on the beach. The beach path I like best is any that leads through the she oaks, to where we can lay under the their shade when the sun gets too hot. Where we can have our esky, a good book and a hat to pull over my face and dream. Thank you for bringing out the good memories Krista – you have a habit of doing that 🙂
I’m SO glad these pictures brought back so many fantastic memories for you, @budgetjan:disqus 🙂 I love hearing about them, picturing all your fun times with your loves. XO
Oh my. Those pictures are pure bliss right now when it’s all grey and cold and snowy here. 😉 I love the shot of the ibis and I’m so glad you waited to get it. It’s gorgeous. My ideal path would lead to the water- I do so love in all the seasons. =) XO
And I love the word pictures of your snowy, winter days, @breannemosher:disqus 🙂 It is so wicked hot here today that even a snow storm sounds exquisite. 🙂
uh oh! i totally get it! and now i’m afraid that 17 zillion other people will too, and that the next time you post about this beach it will look like grand central station, NYC! (I’m not scolding you. I’m just……. verrrry afraid…..that someone’s else’s will get there before I do! Lovely post. Glad you had a nice visit!
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
Thankfully, dear Paradis, if this area does get crowded, we can just head north and have miles and miles of empty beach all to ourselves. 🙂
I love Burleigh Heads, such gorgeous beaches and parks with delicious restaurants right at hand. Gorgeous images! We are very lucky in Australia. My favourite paths are headland walks that snake there way through bush, rocky headland and end at a secluded beach.
They DO have fantastic restaurants there, @GourmetGetaway:disqus My favorite is a a little cafe with ivy climbing the walls. Lovely. 🙂
We often talk about where we will live when we get back to Australia and we know it has to be close to the beach – but that’s about it. I got totally sucked into your post with the very first photo.
Bear and I dream of retiring to the beach as well, @disqus_xRgkTDNCQJ:disqus 🙂 I hope one day both of our dreams will come true. 🙂 xo
Those beautiful ocean views! Makes me yearn for summer.
Aren’t they wondrous, @joanneeatswellwithothers:disqus 🙂 When it gets cold here in winter I love looking at my beach photos and dreaming of summer too. 🙂
Ahhhh – how we miss Aussie beaches
I bet you do, @inspiringtravellers:disqus 🙂 Before I came I’d heard of them, but had NO idea how gorgeous they were. 🙂
What lovely, lovely photos! You’ve captured the spirit of the beach!
Thank you so much, @disqus_WseMqaTPwi:disqus 🙂 I’m so glad you like them. 🙂
So, so beautiful!
I’m so pleased you like them, Gitte. 🙂 xo
Oh how gorgeous! I do so love the beach – in every way! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful day!
I’m SO glad you liked this little jaunt, Tracy! 🙂
Great pics, K. BTW, which city is off in the horizon in your fourth picture?
Thanks so much, @UlyssesSRant:disqus 🙂 That is Southport, QLD. 🙂
So glad you had such a good vacation! The beach looks absolutely beautiful! I just love being by the sea. I spent so much time at the coast this Summer, and I can’t wait for the long, warm days to return!
I’m so glad you were able to spend so much time at the beach, @katyabroad:disqus 🙂 It is a soul-nourishing place for me too. 🙂 xo
What a wonderful place to spend a few days…relaxing and enjoying the beautiful water and the warmth of the sun. I wish I had a path that would take me through the snow and into the warmth. 🙂
It was so lovely, @karenbackroadjournal:disqus , just what we both needed. 🙂 Wishing you warmer days with bright sunshine and blue sky very soon. xo