Hike to Waterfall Fatu Hiva

We had several people ask us if we had hiked to the waterfall yet, so we decided today was the day (October 4). They told us to go left after the 3^rd bridge. This is the third bridge on the main road.

Taking a left took us past this house.

Seemed like the right path as the road crossed the creek again.

The scenery was amazing as the road turned to dirt.

That is a big coconut plantation over there.

Miguel stands under a huge mango tree.

We are now high enough to see back to the ocean.

The trail finally went into the shade.

The shade helps tremendously with keeping the heat at bay.

We pass a large pasture with cattle tied to various trees.  No fences!

The track is getting muddier as we continue.

Uh oh! A fork in the path. Which way do we go?

Taking the right fork we ended up at this small waterfall, but somehow we did not think we had found the one everyone was raving about.

From up this high we can see way out into the ocean through the palm trees.

When we came across this banana plantation, we finally saw a lady and she told us we were hiking up the wrong valley!! Darn, really?!?

Ok, so time to start smelling the roses, oh wait there are none here, but there is a lovely yellow orchid instead!

The cliffs around us were quite impressive.

This is a crazy looking fruit with a gorgeous red flower. Not sure what it is though.

This however is a most obvious fruit.

A pineapple!

This river is running so strong, we were sure the waterfall was up this creek!

Check out the curve in the trunk of this palm tree. How can it grow like that?!?

More rock outcroppings on the way.

Finally with the help of another man, we found the correct turn off from the road.

Through the trees up there we can see a crevasse in the mountains that we are hoping has a waterfall in it!!

Water was running right across the road here.

A water pipe had a small hole in it, creating a water fountain, so we took a drink.

I think I might stick my whole head in there to cool off!!

Another small waterfall along the way.

This is a beautiful green and purple plant.

Another fork in the road!? At least we are pretty sure we go left because of the stack of rocks.

There is lots of water in this creek too!

The path is a bit overgrown in this sunny spot and the cow is wondering what we are doing here.

This large tree had the most amazing root system. The trees are getting bigger up here.

The path is easier to follow here in the wooded shady area.

But then the rock pile said to take a sharp left again. Glad we saw the girl from Norway and her guide on the trail earlier to tell us to look for this left!

The path is getting more narrow, but the rock piles still guide us.

The humidity here is so high that everything has moss growing on it.

Even the rock pile markers are mossy.

This has to be the most huge air plant I have ever seen!! Those leaves are about 4 to 5 feet long!

The same air plant high up in the nook of a tree branch.

Miguel holds the bushes back for me as the path narrows even more.

By now we can hear it loudly and we spot it through the trees.

Unknown how high it is, but way up there!

Me by the pre rocks in front of the waterfall

It is really quite lovely.

Miguel climbed up the rocks on the one side to see how far back the pool went.

No rain or rocks falling, must be time to go swimming!

Those are happy cooled off faces!!

We sat on the rocks and had a little picnic.

On the hike back there were many plants that I missed seeing the first time by.

The trees overhang the path and it looks like we are on the hobbit trail.

I finally got the lighting right on this trail marker, but Miguel was not ready for the photo.

These hibiscus flowers glow bright red in among all the greenness.

Now those are some big leaves on that plant!!

We missed this petroglyph on the way up too. Is he pointing the way to the waterfall?!?

It was getting late in the day and the clouds were getting lower.

Once we passed this outcropping again, we knew we were almost back to the main road. When we got back to the village we treated ourselves to an ice-cream sandwich at the store, then went back to the boat to rub our aching tired feet!! A long day, with extra hiking, but a wonderful day anyhow!