There are two trails that the resort maintains. One is the sunrise trail and one is the sunset trail. They are used, as one can imagine, for taking tours up to see the sunrise and see the sunset. Not being a fan of early morning mountain climbing, I chose to hike the sunrise trail at 10:00 AM. It was certainly hotter this time of day but I was able to see where I was walking much better than I could have at 5:30 AM. My guide was not what one would call chatty. I think he said a total of a dozen words on the whole hike. But I was glad that he was there as I would certainly have lost the trail if I were on my own. We walked up muddy slopes with tree roots to get traction on. We walked through limestone rock fields. carefully putting each foot down just right on sometimes loose rocks and always sharp rocks. We also climbed up some nearly vertical faces to got to the top. For a good portion of the trail there was a big blue rope to help with balance and the one time I slipped in the mud, it helped soften the impact.
the guide was not ready at 10 so I took a talk around
These are the over water bungalows on the south side of the bay
The waves are calmer today
The spa on the north side of the bay
It seems that the end of the pier has been torn off
Oh, here it is!
It is tied down so it does not wander away
Looking over to my hiking destination
The color of the wave changes as it is breaking
The blue rope is a lifesaver, both to mark the trail and to offer stability on the muddy ground
The trees can be very large
So can the stumps
Guide inserted for scale
Steep
Rocky
Cool mushroom
Take a breather
We will ascending the rocks
Looks like a big skull
Someone has been eating the snails
Some sort of tree sap slime. The guide pinched a piece and snuffed it
Caves in the adjacent bluff
Staghorn type ferns growing on the tree tops
Starting to get some nice views
We have reached the top
We are at the same level as the radio antennas
Looking down at the resort from 500 feet up
There is our place, if you could zoom in you would be able to see Leslie's legs
Looking back at the other bluffs
Now be begin our descent
The rocks are very sharp and not everyone of them is completely stable
I went down backwards a few times, facing the rock wall and picking each foot hold
Walking through the rock feild
More snail leftovers
Escargo and mushrooms?
This big boulder is in a new orientation, it must have rolled down
A bit sweaty
But feeling good that I made it
A few more inches of sweat and I would have completely drenched the shirt
Passing the greenhouse where they grow lettuce for the restaurant
Lots of hibiscus blooms
There is 104 up yet another hill
Lisa from breakfast called out villa, Mt. Everest
Although it takes more than 91 steps to get to the top of Everest
Very elaborate flower
The swifts are getting bolder
So are the crows
A little motor boat
Some sort of shack in the distance
Time for a hearty lunch
