Fourth Journey Day 102: Tide’s Hidden Map
The morning began with a slow boat ride to Starfish Beach. The air carried the scent of salt and sun-warmed wood, and the water, impossibly clear, revealed golden starfish resting on the sand below. They lay scattered like silent sentinels, their five arms outstretched in silence beneath the shifting water.
I found a shady spot under a leaning palm tree, my toes digging into the cool, wet sand as I sketched. The light rippling over the starfish created endless patterns, distorting their shapes in mesmerizing ways. Some drifted slowly, their movements almost imperceptible, yet deliberate.
Locals passed by with trays of fresh fruit, offering slices of pineapple and coconut. I accepted a chilled coconut and watched as small waves rolled onto the shore, erasing the footprints left moments before.
A family nearby marveled at the starfish, but heeded the signs warning not to touch them. I liked that - an unspoken agreement to respect nature.
As the afternoon wore on, I packed my sketchbook and let the tide kiss my ankles one last time before heading back. The ocean whispered its own stories today, etched in the patterns of the sand and the gentle dance of creatures beneath the surface.
