The Beach at Dragon Inn

This photo with my father, Willie Reed, was taken in the summer of 1948.  In reading about Dragon Inn on the internet, the villa was located on the side of Castle Peak Road at the 19.5 milestone, and faced Castle Peak Beach.  In the above photo, there is a house in the background overlooking the water.  I wonder if this is the Dragon Inn villa or a private residence.  I am also curious if this was Castle Peak beach or a private beach connected to the villa, given the name on the boat I was sitting in.

I have no recollection of being at this beach but do remember visiting Dragon Inn with my parents.  Photos of this place show the landscaped garden and fountain, and mention of a mini zoo.  What I remember most is the very large old turtle confined in an open concrete space with a low wall around it and images of children who would step over the wall and climb on that poor turtle's back.  I also remember the solitary monkey chained to a small platform up in the tree.  I watched a boy throw a slice of orange to the monkey who hungrily ate it.  My mother commented that it was probably thirsty, with no visible food or water bowl on that platform.  This memory of Dragon Inn was not a happy one for me.

Along Castle Peak Road were strips of several beaches named according to its milestone.  The 10.5 mile, 11.5 mile and 12 mile beaches were the most popular, lined with concrete beach shacks that were rented out every summer, along with privately owned beach homes.  I think there was some kind of drawing as to which shack and beach you would get each year.  The shacks were similar in style, with one or two rooms and a deck, some furnished with bare essentials.  My aunt's husband would rent a shack each summer and it was always fun to meet up with other family friends on these beaches or in nearby shacks.  I was unable to find a photo of these shacks on the internet.