Hengam - Silver Beach

In the morning of Wednesday (19.02.2020) I start with a swim in the clear water at Silver Beach on Hengam. Then I have sourdough bread with banana-chocolate cream for breakfast and take a stroll with the Big Guy in the nearby hinterland. Here there is a kind of small oasis with some greenery, silvery shimmering sand, a striking red rock, some gorges and dry water channels. All very impressive and surprisingly diverse. Unfortunately, a wild landfill also belongs to the complete picture, a small downer. After the campsite for Rango is partially shaded, I make my way to the town of New Hengam, about 2 km away, located at the northern end of the island. The gifted chocolate is then stronger than expected, I practically float into the small village, which is mainly characterized by small one- to two-story simple stone houses. The pronounced construction activity is striking. At the harbor I meet Britta and Pablo, who are currently on a shopping tour with their bikes, and Örs also bumps into me a short time later. After an ice cream and a coffee, I refill my water bottles at the drinking water filling station and stroll back to Silver Beach. Rango has withdrawn under the shady rock, where the moist sand cools his belly, and he copes quite well with the temperatures. In the following, I treat myself to a swim or two at the lonely beach and persuade the Big Guy to go on a little excursion in the late afternoon. A cliff close to the coast invites you to climb it and rewards the scrambling with a magnificent view over the Strait of Hormuz and the island of Hengam. Here I also have usable internet and can send a sign of life to my homeland again. With the setting sun, we return to the camp and after an evening swim, it's time to go to bed.

On Thursday morning, my path leads me from the tent directly to a morning swim, after all, the sea is less than three meters away. During the following stroll with Rango, we once again scare away a few deer or something similar, which Rango would love to chase. Back at the camp, there is a small breakfast, then I head towards New Hengam. I can plug my smartphone in to charge at a construction site, the Afghan workers look trustworthy. Then I refill my water reserves and go back to the camp, I forgot my power bank, which is also thirsty for some charging power. Then it's back to the village, charging my batteries, enjoying coffee and ice cream, and the girls from the pickup truck salt cave excursion invite me for a tea. On the way back to Silver Beach, I pick up my power bank and start bathing immediately upon arrival at the camp. I spend the rest of the day repairing the tent and equipment.

Friday morning, February 21, 2020, I am already working on my morning routine. Swimming, stroll with Rango, breakfast, walk to New Hengam. I plug in my electronic devices again at the entrance to the village and go to the city for coffee and ice cream. I can also buy some food for the next few days, it's time to see more of the island. Before I go back to the camp, I meet Kara and we chat a bit. The young man works as a tour guide on the islands during the winter months, but due to the emerging coronavirus, he doesn't have much to do. Then it's back to the camp for me. I tinker a bit with my equipment and slowly pack up my stuff. The idea was to hike south during sunset and twilight, but in the end I'm an hour late, it's almost dark when I start off with the Big Guy. So I walk the good 4 km to the next small settlement by moonlight and set up my tent at the first suitable spot that presents itself. After a swim and a small dinner, it's time to go to bed.