During our silver years, with time on your side, it’s possible to discover the beauty of nature, even in the most unassuming places, like today’s little exploration around the lagoon that lies just behind the sand dunes on the beach that meets the Indian ocean on the south coast of Africa. This region, called the Garden Route, is full of lakes and wetlands that nestle beside the ocean itself. And also full of retired folk who are living out their final years in this tranquil and sublime environment.
The rivers that flow into these lakes come from the surrounding mountains just inland. By the time the river water reaches here, it has run out of inclination, and so meanders lazily at a shallow level, forming a delta and wetland, just before finally flowing out to sea.
Since the lagoon is connected to the ocean, it is affected by the tides. As a result the water level in the lagoon drops significantly during low tide. I took a stroll around the lagoon to explore the mud flats, as they are called here, and found some quaint sights.
Folks park their boats on the lagoon and anchor them there for indefinite periods, months it seems, without any problem. The rising tide simply lifts all boats and then drops them as it recedes once more. It’s much like the cryptocurrency bitcoin four year cycle. It lifts all altcoins with it and then drops them just as much when it dips after the peak, in perfectly predictable and rhythmic cycles. The savvy investor, like the fisherman, simply follows the predictable ebb and flow of the tides to capitalize on any investment in cryptocurrency.
Local fishermen like to use the low tide periods to forage for little shrimp or other creatures that live buried in the soil that is usually covered by lagoon water. Once the tide flows out and exposes the mud underneath, then the men use suction pumps to suck clumps of sand up in which are buried some little creatures that can be used as bait to catch fish via a rod and reel.
I see the foragers occasionally, as well as the odd local fisherman casting a line from his little kayak on the lagoon. They chill out on the water and see if they can catch anything to eat. It’s a simple life of subsistence for many here in Africa on the southernmost shores. You can see by the municipal notice board that the ecosystem is well monitored and researched by nature conservationists and those interested in the ecology and biodiversity of these mud flats and marshy regions in the wetlands around the lagoon.
Some of the anchored boats look quite old and unused, or hardly used. I presume they belong to amateur boating lovers who don’t venture onto the water much but like to keep their boat moored nearby for the occasional recreational outing. Most of the locals are older retired folks who have moved to this relaxing area to enjoy their golden years, as they are called.
I’m still in my silver years and am already here eagerly living the dream life of the eternal holiday. I may get to my golden level in another five years or so. No need to wait until then to appreciate the good life though, here on the edge of the lagoon, the edge of the ocean and the edge of the southernmost shore of Africa. What a dream location. So much space and fresh air - natural surroundings full of nurturing and life-affirming vitality. It makes it feel good to be alive.
So if you’re feeling jaded and cynical at the fag end of your life, then dust yourself off and allow those golden years to shine forth on your final stretch toward the home run and the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow bridge to the other world.
(photos my own)
Love the region, cannot believe how much the area has developed since last I was there.
Mudflats present wonderful sights walking out during low tide.
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Loads of people moving here, lots of new houses arising.
Population growth hopefully infrastructure in place to cope.
New homes galore, and they install solar panels from the start, so you don't even notice load shedding. Water tanks are all full from the great rain this season. Private security companies run a tight ship and the small towns are easy to defend. Self-sufficiency is the way around the faulty government.
Hopefully 2024 will see the change the country needs for all to enjoy a future here.
Very peaceful and beautiful place to have slow lifestyle.
Yes exactly.
How does this work for those who are citizens of other countries? Being in the water what are the rules/laws?
There are not many rules in the lagoon, though one of them is to go slow. No speed boats with big wakes. That's about all. Fishermen should ideally also have a permit to catch fish, so at least it is regulated. You will love it here as it's so calm, mild and tranquil.
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