We were delighted to meet up with Jonathon, Kerry and Emily again. They suggested a walk to the waterfall which was just the thing to get our legs moving properly again.
Our first surprise was how immaculate everything was in the village and surrounding areas. The houses were tiny and basic but perfectly kept and the gardens were nearly all cultivated with glorious tropical plants. Everything was tidy and not a scrap of litter to be seen. There were lots of smiling ‘Bonjours’. Coconuts abound, just as you would want them to on a Pacific Island. This is the flesh drying for copra…… |
The first part of the walk out of the village was on a concrete road through more spectacular scenery. This is extra spectacular when you have seen nothing higher than a 3 metre blue and white wave for 3 ½ weeks. |
Then on to a grass track through more palm trees. By this time we were picking up lemons from the side of the path. |
On to the waterfall. |
Jonathon had come prepared for finding fallen coconuts and rapidly set about one with a machete. Having been there for several days he was getting pretty good at this. |
Coconut milk is not usually a favourite but this was much less sweet than in the Caribbean and absolutely delicious. Or maybe we had been at sea for too long and everything was going to taste delicious if eaten/drunk without rolling.
Carol had often had fresh coconuts as a child. Intended for the birds but she had quite a liking for them so always ate a piece or two before they were hung up. She has very clear memories of her father sawing them open and drilling a hole for the string but had never seen one opened with what is called the ‘cake’ inside. This is the kernel of the next tree and it tastes like spongy coconut. Delicious.
