![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0076-300x169.jpg\")
We all wore our shoes because we read that the hike was difficult. The hike was challenging in places, but it was also incredibly muddy. Our shoes were caked in it.<\/p>\nOur first night in Bastimentos, we made pasta and fell into bed exhausted. At 4 a.m. I (Judy) awoke to the sounds of roosters. It sounded as if they were singing in my ears.<\/p>\n
Bastimentos is rarely quiet. Birds, dogs, music, people. The island is alive.<\/p>\n
The day after we arrived at Bastimentos Island we walked around. The part of the island we are staying in is tiny. We can walk from one end of the town to the other in under 10 minutes.<\/p>\n
That afternoon we set out for Wizard Beach. The day was muddy but memorable. It is a 20-minute walk from our place to the beach. The trek is a moderate hike through the jungle.<\/p>\n
We all wore our shoes because we read that the hike was difficult. The hike was challenging in places, but it was also incredibly muddy. Our shoes were caked in it.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0082-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0083-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nMichael’s and I immediately thought about the hassle of cleaning the shoes (our only pairs besides sandals), but then we decided to let it go and enjoy the adventure.<\/p>\n
The hike and the mud were worth it. Wizard Beach is breathtaking. There were only a handful of people on the beach. The sound of the waves brought peace to us that we have not felt in a while.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0063-300x86.jpg\")
We were at Wizard beach for over three hours the first day. The boys were playing in the waves for most of that time. The waves were enormous. Lucas and Henry got walloped a few times and each time their smiles got bigger and sandier.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0101-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0199-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0192-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0113-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0123-2-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0137-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nLucas played baseball and frisbee with Michael. Yes! We lugged baseball gloves through the jungle.<\/p>\n
As we packed up to leave we saw horses hanging out near the sand. That explained the horse poop we saw along the trail to the beach.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0069-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0065-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nLuckily no one broke any bones slipping and sliding in the mud. On the way back the boys thought us was fun to step in deep into mud puddles.<\/p>\n
We had fun, shared a lot of laughs, saw amazing scenery and the shoes did get clean<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We went back to Wizard beach on another day. This time we wore sandals, but it wasn’t as muddy. Sigh. The second trip was just as fun as the first trip. We spent hours playing in the water and in the sand. We also bought a coconut from a local vendor selling them on the beach<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0181-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0184-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0154-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0160-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0167-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/gowatkinsgo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/IMG_0172-150x150.jpg\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n