Tue, 11.11.2025: Santa Maria on the beach island of Sal

Domestic flight to the island of Sal, which welcomes us with its white sandy beaches. The rest of the day is free. Domestic flight: 50 minutes. Overnight stay(s): 2 nights, Hotel Budha Beach, standard room .

The Hotel Buhda complex looks greener than the surrounding land. It is of course watered and some parts of the lawns are artificial. It would be nice to float in the attractive pool for the next two days. There were no more walks planned, but I walked to the main part of the beach with three others of the group. At last a proper beach, as one imagines it. It was very pleasant with golden sand and the sea had only a slight swell and a very gradual increase in depth. There were lots of other people but not too many. After my swim I had a pizza lunch and slowly returned to the hotel. This place is much more touristy than the other islands and the prices are much higher.

For dinner all of us except a few went sought out restaurant away from the front. It was heavily defended by dogs but not against us, only against other dogs. I had an excellent red snapper at a very good price. On the way home we discovered baby turtles crossing the track and heading away from the sea. Of course I knew all about it and explained that it was caused by the artificial lights which attract them. Since most beaches with turtles must be near lights, it’s amazing that any find the sea. I even found a cardboard box and we carried at least twenty back in the right direction. They were sweet, just like on the TV. Some people were still looking when I left. It was a new experience which made a change from the newts and toads at home.