The truck picked us up at the marina at 9:15 this morning and we started out then took a short detour through a construction zone where a new Carnival Cruise Line Terminal is being built.
I have nothing nice to say about Cruise ships and their local impact (minimal). We stopped at a small roadside store so that our guide "Elvis" could pick up some ice and drinks.
We continued along and started up a dirt road heading to the stone carving COOP. As we hit a steeper section of the road two boys and a small pony rode by. Watch out for the machette!
Before we entered the carving area Elvis gave us a demonstration on one of the top local sports.
We had a nice presentation by the craftsmen showing the various stages of creation on the various stone products. Some carvings are done with petrified wood, others with a type of sandstone.
Needless to say we've done scores of waterfall in eight seasons in the Caribbean but none quite like the stop today.
Rio Damajagua
You start off by changing to swim suit and sneakers, Teva's or rental wet water shoes. Next you pick up a life jacket and a helmet and report to your two guides and start off up the trail. Our hike took us up the river past seven waterfalls. We hiked by these falls and bypassed some on wooden ladders and others we were boosted up the rock/water areas by our guides. Once we were at the top we turned around and at each falls we laid down on our butts, folded our arms in front of us and down through the chutes we went! Near the bottom we got to do "Happy Hour Falls" two for one......... meaning you slide down first then come back up and jump the 20 or so feet into the water - man........... One fall two different descents.
We then headed off to a local ranch for lunch, merengue dancing, some rum and relaxation. Lunch was great and the 5 young (and I do mean young) Columbia University students were from a dance club and proceeded to give us a great dance exhibition which included our wonderful guide Elvis.
After lunch I was ready for a nap but it was then off to sample some local coffee and visit the cigar factory.
We watched two men make cigars and then I had a wonderful treat - I got to sample one and they gave me one for the road.
Lesley purchased a very nice pendant made of a stone only found here Larimar. Very pretty....
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