05 February 2012

A Hike to The Sea


From my daughter's home in the Rain Forest to the sea at Paria Bay is a sixteen mile round trip hike through primary forest. One morning my daughter invited me to hike this trail to take advantage of an up to then rare sunny day and an even rarer opportunity for time alone together. I was in so off we set.

This is the secluded beach we reached 3 1/2 hours of beautiful sights and good conversation later. 




The only way to reach Paria Bay is by hiking or by boat, no roads for cars, so we were the only people there for the first two hours. If you think of paradise, this is the beach you would think of.



My daughter, a great swimmer, went out beyond the waves to take a luxurious swim after her walk.




An interesting rock formation, seen above also, called Church Rock located at the southern end of the beach. The tide was high so we had to rock hop to get there. The surf was vigorous and swirled around the statue as it broke on the rocks. The sounds of nothing else but nature was indeed spiritual and made me realize how well named it is. A walk up and down the length of the beach refreshed my soul.




Leatherback turtles use Paria Bay Beach as one of their nesting sites. They lumber up onto the beach (next month) at night, dig a hole about four feet deep, lay some 80 eggs and cover up by flipping sand around so that the nest is no longer identifiable. Then off they swim leaving their offspring to make their hazardous journey over open stretches of sand back to the sea 60 days later. Not many make it.



On the way back we stopped at Paria Falls where the abundance of recent rain made the falls so full that the mist spray coming off it kept us from being able to get much closer and still see the falls. It was a beautiful diversion nonetheless and shows a bit of what the forest we hiked through looks like.



It felt good to be out in nature, to challenge my body and enjoy the company of someone I love. 
Sweet, as my grandson would say.



19 comments:

  1. My goodness that is a beautiful place. You must be having the most wonderful time!

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  2. Gorgeous place! You and your daughter had a truly remarkable day, both of you agile and strong and committed to fitness. Bless you both.

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    1. Thanks for your blessings, Rosaria. With so much out of my control, a commitment to fitness which is in my control makes sense to me. It has allowed me to go to some remarkable places!

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  3. ...and then you had to walk all the way home again...?
    Never mind.

    What a breathtakingly beautiful place!

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    1. Yes, it was a day trip! We left very early to accomplish it and have beach time.

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  4. This truly does look like paradise. Enjoy and treasure the time and the place.

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    1. I'm heading your reminder to treasure the time we have together .

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  5. So beautiful, just incredible. Thank you so much for sharing it with me. I love the pictures... it is indeed a magical place.

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  6. Everything is so lush and lovely...what a wonderful day you had with your daughter.

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    1. It was a wonderful day made more special by its rarity!

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  7. Exquisite is more like it! Wow...

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    1. Truly. You understand about precious time with your daughter, and son for you!

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  8. It was indeed and you know how lovely that beach and falls are!

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  9. I'd say paradise is a perfect description. And to spend the day with family in paradise......doesn't get any better.

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  10. Paradise for sure. It sounds like you are having a wonderful visit with your daughter.

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  11. Yes. Sweet. I fell in love with Trinidad when my son and I were there - and of course, it was the people that made it the enjoyable experience it was.

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  12. Nanny, Being with family makes it all the sweeter.

    Patti, A lovely visit indeed.

    Lou, Your right about it being all about the people.

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