I
made a wonderful new girlfriend here in Tahiti, her name is Angelique.
She teaches English at a local high school. She had been working on
her certification so she can get a raise in pay and I had been
helping her perfect her English before she flew back to France for
the certification test. Well, she passed and life is good! So to
celebrate she and her boyfriend Yann wanted to take us on a hike that
is a local's favorite. It is about an hour and a half through the
jungle to a water slide. On May 7th she and a bunch of
friends and family picked us up for the hike and a picnic. Our
driver was Albertine, Angelique's best friend since grade school.
Also along for the journey was Yann's cousin Taina and her boyfriend
Stephan. It was going to be a party!
The
hike stared up a dirt road, easy enough.
The
road went through creeks by people's houses.
And
continued up through several people's properties.
The
most lovely property was this ranch/orchard house.
Those
are lime trees.
Yann
showed us how he turns into a bird of paradise when hiking.
A
split leaf philodendron vine climbs a tree.
We
stop for a rest at one of the many creek crossings.
The
trail is quite well marked with red surveyor flags.
As
we continued on, the trial got rockier and the jungle turned more
dense.
We
saw wild banana trees, but all fruit trees belong to someone, so we
did not take any.
This
giant leafed plant looks a lot like taro, but they told us it was
something else. (damned if I can remember what it was now!)
The
trail continued up hill.
Then
back down to another crossing (of the same) creek.
Albertine
and Angelique led the way.
This
jungle creek was just beautiful. But then I was thinking “glad
rainy season is over!”
The
trail went right over many moss covered trees.
I
wore a long sleeve shirt to keep any bugs or mosquitos off of me (and
bug spray too!).
The
jungle was moving in on the trail and many times we had to duck under
branches or vines.
The
moss covered rocks reminded me of my childhood days at Camp Rapidan.
The
rocks in the creek were getting bigger.
Sometimes
we had to climb over trees and vines too. Look how good Mike's back
is doing after 3 years since the surgery!!
One
of those thick rooted Chestnut trees that make you think you are in a
fairy land.
This
is a giant patch of bamboo jungle and Mike taps it with his walking
stick to hear the hollow sound.
The
trees are getting bigger now too.
The
trail led through a mass of jungle vines
And
through fallen trees.
Some
of the vines were incredibly twisted together. I think this must be
the kind that Tarzan would swing on!
This
vine was headed for the ground when it decided to make a U turn and
head back toward the sun.
When
we finally made it to the water slide, it was already packed with
kids and families.
Mike
tests the water to see how cold it is.
Jumping
off the rocks was actually more popular than the slide.
There
were several freshwater eels hanging out in the rocks past the deep
pool.
The
waterslide looked fun so I jumped right in.
Ahh
yes, so refreshing after that long hike!
Yann
about to jump.
Woah!!
Nice back flip!
Mike
jumps from the high cliff.
Angelique
and I enjoying the day!
I
pick a not so high spot to jump from.
Kersplush!
The bottom is so deep, none of us were ever able to touch the bottom
until getting out.
Oh
yea, this is fun!
Who
is going next? Me or you kid?
Woo
Hoo! My turn!
Angelique
and Yann
Stephan
and Taina
As
the day wore on, the kids just kept jumping.
A
teenager with long hair flying as he jumps off the highest part of
the cliff.
Mike,
Yann and Angelique enjoying the water after jumps.
Albertine
having a good time!
On
the hike back we passed these plants with the big leaves again.
Look
how beautiful these leaves are close up.
Rock
pile trail marker.
The
muddy path shows all the foot prints of those who went home before
us.
Mike
and I by the creek.
I
wish you could hear the sound of the water running. It is so
soothing.
We
spotted another eel near one of the houses by the road/path.
The
spectacular bird of paradise flower.
The
most handsome bird of my paradise!
Yes
the path was muddy. Thank god rainy season is over or we might be
knee deep!
Pine
trees growing on the hill side!
Not
far from the palm trees also growing on a hillside.
Some
big banana trees.
The
fruits of its loin.
The
house with a view.
The
stupid chicken memorial rock.
One
seriously tall palm tree. Hope no coconuts fall as we walk by!
The
red rimmed leaf is the Teatree tree. These are the sacred leaves
that are used for making dance costumes and for protecting your house
from the evil spirits.
Not
sure if this is a head stone or just a property marker.
A
spectacular red flower that turns into the little white ones after
the red part dies.
Pink
ginger flower.
Another
brilliant flower in the bird of paradise family.
So
the hike was over, but they had one more surprise in store for us.
We went to another local's favorite spot. Looks kind of like a
river, but it is a spring.
Mike
shakes hands with a local fellow while dipping back into the water.
This
beautiful gal moved away to show us how the water just boils right up
out of the ground.
But
as you can see by Mike's face the water is COLD!
It
felt like a natural cold Jacuzzi, giving you a butt massage. And
even though I had already changed into my dry clothes, there was no
way I was going to miss out on this thrill!!
Even
here the kids love to jump off the rocks.
He
made quite a splash and did it several times just to hear me squeal
when he splashed the cold water on me.
Lots
of people relaxing and enjoying the cool fresh water.
There
was a second pool with nobody in it behind the other boiling one.
This
water just came right out of the side of the rock wall!!
The
guy in the pink shirt under the big tree is sitting on the boiling
water.
Albertine
and Angelique having fun.
There
was even a baby eel here too.
Everyone
having a good time.
The
view of Tahiti-iti (the small side) from the parking lot where we
split up and went home. What an awesome day it was!!! Thanks
Angelique!!!!
