I had walked down to Ponta Sino a number of occasions over the years, one big open space of land where the lighthouse was the only thing on it. However this was my first time to actually walk around the new construction being built there, of the hotel and resort called 'New Horizons'.

Another front line development on Sal

I was accompanied on my little trek by a friend who, unlike me, enjoyed walking. It was good to have his company as it made my trudge through the sand less noticeable. We chatted about various things mainly to do with this new construction, the beach and what changes lay ahead.

There had been a lot of concern raised about this area of beach which as far as we new was a protected area....yeh, heard that one before! It makes you wonder how many other so called 'protected areas' will be grabbed up for large amounts of money, it happens everywhere.

Santa Maria Beach

As we walked along the walkway on the beach we talked about how the walkway was in need of some attention, the cobbled bricks were worn and some missing. The beach to our left was taken up with beach beds, only a few spaces along the beach nearest the pontao (pier) where there were open spaces, yet to be filled by someone. We saw that an area on the other side of the Atlantis Restaurant was now starting to be developed to accommodate a new beach club. Further long we came to the Djadsal Moradias Holiday Club, a big hotel on the beach that had been closed for some years and had fallen into dis-repair. It was good to see that talk of it being redeveloped by another company had come to be. The Djadsal was busy with workers who had taken out windows and doors of challets and demolishing some structures within the grounds but taking care to salvage items that could be re-used such as roof tiles. Immediately next to the Djadsal, work continued on the new Sal Hilton which supposedly is due to open this year, we'll see.

New Horizons

Having left the walkway which ended at the Hilton we continued along the beach passing the Hotel Creolo and Villa do Farol (Brava) hotel. Standing on the beach outside the Farol and looking ahead, the 'New Horizons' project has now become the last development along the southern west point of the coastline.

Approaching New Horizons as we did along the side of the beach front hotels, we didn't get the true impact of the size of the construction ahead of us. Once you start reach the fence and continue to walk alongside it, the fence stretched out ahead of us and in the distance we could see the ocean around the other side of the point.

As we looked over the fence we could see some nearly completed, half and new structures being worked on. From left to right you get to understand the vastness of the area on this strategic point of the island which is now being developed.

This are of beach, it's vast area of sand will also change I fear.

As we turned the corner of the fence line, we noted plastic bags that had entangled themselves on the fencing. Plastic and rubbish is a big problem on land and in the sea.

We now started to walk up the other side of the construction taking more photos but also noticing the wildlife, the crab holes and the birds that live in this area. Many people have wondered and argued that there will be an effect on wildlife in this area.