Jonathan Halling
Long Bay Beach,
British Virgin Islands

As we climbed the hill from Long Bay Road, Belmont Point revealed itself. It’s just a big mound, yet it beckoned us to come and explore it. My wife, Lianne, and I excitedly clamored down the roadside and stepped onto the long beach leading to the point. Single-minded and in a state of childlike wonderment, we ignored the lush palms and strode purposefully past bushes of giant grape leaves and fallen coconuts rolling along with the gentle tide. The beautiful solitude of an early morning deserted beach inspired us to continue hand in hand. The cloudy morning was clearing for another perfect day. As the sun illuminated our path we found ourselves alone in the middle of the most perfect place on Earth.

We sat wondering what the future had in store for us and reflecting on our previous day’s experience—of the scraggly, amiable islander who wanted to know, “Have you seen my donkey, mon?” (We had, and he was a sweet donkey.) Or of the scary encounter I had at Smuggler’s Cove, when I had stepped into the lair of an old beach dweller turned potato chip salesman. His derelict beach bar was empty aside from a weatherworn photo of Queen Elizabeth II being driven around the island in an immaculate convertible (which now sat before me in the center of the open-air dwelling rusted and decaying). I knocked on the splintering door, and it fell open. Flies buzzed as I saw a rotten, four-foot [1.2-meter] fish dangling before my eyes. We laughed at our follies, thrilled at our adventures to come, and—for a time that we will always remember—enjoyed the beauty of a place without frantically trying to pursue it.

Jonathan Halling is associate art director for TRAVELER.