The hike was invigorating, the trail was long, the climbs challenging. The newcomers and less experienced hikers met the challenging climbs with groans and moans and christened the two most challenging hills 'Heartache' and 'Heartbreak.'The scenery was magnificent. The vegetation was so lush there were beautiful butterflies of every local species, the most beautiful to behold were the blue emperors. The birds and noisy parrots above announced our presence and the wild flowers made the trail heavenly. The crisp freshness of the air was intoxicating.

What a great way to start 2003.As the trail moved closer toward the cliff's edge, the breathtaking sight of the ocean called for another photo taking session. The climax of this part of the hike was the view off 'Turtle Point.' This view did not appeal to members who were afraid of heights but to the more adventurous hikers this had to be captured on film. The sheer drop to the ocean looked menacing but the view was breathtaking.

After about two and a half hours we finally sighted Paria beach - clearly one of the most beautiful beaches in Trinidad. Its clear blue waters and clean shore, its natural, un spoilt appearance is beyond compare.The trail continued for another 15 minutes on to the Falls. The Falls were beautiful. The pure water cascaded in a powerful thunderous chute into the river. This time of year it flowed so powerfully that it was almost impossible to swim close without being pushed back to shore. The water was so cold that it ached to the bone but it was so refreshing after the long tiring hike that no one could resist the plunge.After half and hour of relaxation it was time to trek back to our starting point.

Parting was such sweet sorrow. The only thing that might stop me from going on the next hike is UWI fete - what a difficult choice to make! Keep up the good work 'Snake'!

Claire Watson

On Sunday 4th May 2003, my mother and I decided to do something enlivening and refreshing which included the aesthetics of nature. So, we decided to join the Hike Seekers Group and hike to Guanapo Gorges. Having not been on a hike for about three years aback, we thought Guanapo Gorges to be the best hike to start with since the hike master, Mr. Lawrence “Snake” Pierre described it as, “an easy and exciting journey.”

Well, it first started with a 4 1/2 mile up hill walk into the beautifully forested area of Guanapo. It was cool, relaxing and absolutely breath taking to be surrounded by so much beauty. Just picture in your mind, walking among tall trees and plants, smelling sweet fresh air, with various birds making eccentric sounds and when you look ahead, you can see the pure blue sky with soft white clouds almost touching the green sheet like top of trees.

Then, the adventure begins once you’ve met the river. In other words, out goes the “Mills and Boons” and in steps “Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys.” There we were, about 40 of us of mixed ages and gender, standing in between these two extremely tall and narrow mountains with the winding, cold river ahead of us. As we started to proceed walking into the river, it suddenly rose from waist to neck deep and then of course, the swimming began. But, you need not worry because, Snake and his 4 assistant Hike Leaders were always prepared. They had life jackets and ropes and best of all, they are professional swimmers, friendly, helpful and patient. To get from one point to the next, we had to hand our bag of vital supplies to an assistant, whom in turn passed it down the line, across the river. Then, we had to swim to the other side, while taking comfort in knowing that Snake and his assistants were always close by and the rope was there for us to pull forward on.

The experience was definitely exciting so far and even got better. We found ourselves at a point whereby, we had to balance and walk across a log and then climb up a couple of rocks. Only to discover that, the way to get back down into the river was to use the one thing that connected the rocks to the river which was, a log. If you didn’t have an adrenaline rush before you definitely got one with this realization. We had to sit on the log, lock our feet underneath it and use our palms to pull us across. At the end of the log, we had to once again jump in the cold water and swim ahead.

There was a lot of tiptoe walking in the water as well and with all the rocks beneath, it was pretty tricky and challenging to get proper footing. However, we didn’t always hike on or over the rocks. Along the way, “Snake” casually said, “Oh! By the way, to continue the hike you all have to make a 10 foot jump off a rock like mountain and into a very deep part of the river. At first my mother and I thought he was joking but when we actually reached the jump site we realized that, it was as real as anything can get. “Snake” stood at the bottom of the rocks and the hike leaders were along the river stretch while one remained on top to support the group. They were very encouraging, motivational, understanding and full of positive energy. Jumping was so, “out of this world.” Everyone felt like doing it over and over again. You have to experience it yourself because, describing it with words seem to take away so much from the experience.

At the end of the river trek, we all ate and drank, socialized with our new friends and swam and last but not least, absorbed as much as we could have of part of God’s remarkable creation.

Then came the hike back up the steep, moist hill after all that adventure. “Snake” and the hike leaders, whom are always the prepared “boy scouts,” became even more jovial and cautious as they were aware that members of the group may be weary. “Snake” and his assistants are very reliable, responsible, fit and once again, I cannot stress their unwavering patience and understanding. My mother can sure testify to this as she really felt the crunch and burn on our journey back. But, hike master “Snake” never leaves any of his group behind and unfailingly, reminded my mother of childhood days by, giving her a “Piggy back” a couple of times. As I said before,

“….. you haven’t had excitement and adventure in your life unless you’ve been to Guanapo Gorges”

HATS OFF TO HIKE SEEKERS FOR AN ADVENTURE WELL CARRIED OUT!!!

On the approach to Mother’s Day last year in Trinidad, there was a cheery announcement on channel 68 informing all cruisers of an impending hike with Snake of the Hikeseekers. My husband, Brian, suggested that we might sign up for this Mother’s Day hike. Needless to say, I was delighted!

Muscat, the maxi-taxi driver, picked twelve of us up at 0630 and we were on our way to Arima. "We were ill-prepared," Snake said, "Where are the long pants, long sleeves, socks, boots?"OK, we would make the best of it! We were in great company of about 12 yachties and 12 Trinis. One of the Trini gals hiked the whole trail in her street shoes! Off we went, up and down hills, through forests and across streams and it didn’t take long to become soaked with perspiration.

En route we managed to pick up hiking sticks that were most helpful. Questioning our endurance, Brian said jokingly that he hoped there was a helicopter pad close by! Stopping at a clearing, to make sure we were all still accounted for, Snake pointed out a huge nest of leaf cutting ants, but we weren’t sure about the trees. Lunch at the water- fall was pleasant including a swim.When Snake started putting on his several layers, plus bright orange coveralls, Brian and I started scaling the trail hoping to make some headway. Around the next corner, Snake and company tied a rope alongside so people could brace their descent and not slip into a gorge below! Our five pints of water were depleted so we filled them in a stream crossing. Better parasites than dehydration! Our return trip was an alternate route where we scrambled over and under logs. One was a huge fallen tree. Someone had chopped several axe steps across it but I didn’t think I could make it. Brian got across and with his help; I too managed to get across just barely. The alternative was a 100-foot drop down the mountainside!Muscat was our hero of the day. He hoisted one of the children onto his shoulders for the return hike. Passing through a deserted orange orchard was a saving grace as well. Here Muscat and the men cut up oranges for us and we ate them ravenously. What energy this little juicy fruit can impart!

The sun was well down in the western sky as we single filed down a hill. Lana, on Muscat’s shoulders, shrieked. She had come eye to eye with a real snake. Our Snake went into action and retrieved the treed snake! On we went again to the parking area in time to wave to Snake as he drove away. Having a healthy sense of adventure, I was disappointed not to see either snake at the end of the trail.

One male Trinidadian who hiked along with us, said he’d been on many of Snake’s hikes, but never one so long and arduous. Also he mentioned that most Trinis over the age of 30 don’t hike! So, with all said and done, Mothers take heed. Since then I have discovered a hike schedule in the Boca that lists the nature of Snake’s hikes. No pun intended… Happy Mother’s Day.

Hikeseekers Hike to Angle Falls
by hiker Claire Watson (Oct 2003)

Dear Hikeseekers,

On Sunday 6th October you missed a wonderful experience. Our Guides took us to Angle Falls via the Las Cuevas Road. My friend Sandra, my sister Susan and I are still suffering the consequences of that adventure. It was long and painful but beautiful.

It took us 31/2 hours to get there and 3 hours to get back. It was about 14 miles altogether. The trail was a steady and tough uphill climb through the forest. Some parts were not so clear since the rains had left a trail of fallen trees across some of the tracks.

It was a very hot morning and that made the climb all the more gruelling. Just when some of us were on the verge of passing out we discovered some welcoming little streams of fresh cool water flowing out of the bushes. The cold fresh water saved the day.

At times I felt as though I could not breathe but with some advise from our able guide Lauerence or Snakeman, I was able to forge ahead-proper breathing exercises really help and bending down really makes you feel light headed.

An old rusty cross marked the end of the uphill climb. The story behind this cross, which stood alone in the midst of the forest, is that and old Baptist woman who lived there and who practised what we call "obeah" died
and was buried there. One wonders if anyone came to that funeral. From this point we could have seen a beautiful view of Las Cuevas beach.

The forest was lush and green; there were beautiful birds and butterflies. We managed to get a clear view of a 'bell' bird doing his mating dance. He was a fairly large bird, black and white in colour.

We finally arrived at the waterfall and we were so exhausted that we went in fully clothed, happy to soak our aching bones in the ice-cold water. This was clearly the best part of the hike. We were able to climb up to the heaviest part of the falls with the help of a rope. It was a truly memorable experience. The powerful gush of water massaged every part of our aching bodies as no masseur could and one of our hikers described the experience as orgasmic. Well I must admit that it was an apt description.

Sadly it was time to trek back out of the forest. Our guides took another route saying that it was shorter but it was another up hill climb all the way. When we finally got to the village we had to now descend. There was a paved road leading to the flat. This road was a sheer downhill climb, which I thought was just as difficult. I had to take it really slowly and found all the guides waiting patiently or not so patiently for my sister and me at the bottom.

What a day all I could think of was a soak in a tub and bed. Our day did not end so ordinarily though for when we got back to the place where we had parked our cars we got a very pleasant surprise. The kind gentleman who allowed us to park in his yard had a huge pot of paleau and some deliciously cold lemon juice waiting for us. What a great way to end a great day.

Thanks Snake for another memorable experience. Trinidad is a truly
beautiful place and thank you for showing it to us in all its glory.

See you all at the next hike.

Claire

Hikeseekers Hike to Tucker Valley
by hikermaster Joanne Mike-Ventour

Our hiking schedule for May 29-31, 2003 said that Hike Seekers of Trinidad and Tobago was carded to camp out in Tucker Valley, Chaguaramas, and that hikers were to meet at Pier 1 car park. So, armed with canned foods, packs of snacks, and foam for bedding, yours truly hit the highway in the early hours of Indian Arrival Day and found my way to the designated car park on the Western peninsula.

After waiting a few extra minutes for the habitual stragglers who invariably phone in late, we took the five-minute drive to the Arboretum on the Corvigne trail where we were to set up camp for the next three days. Along the way, the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA) had posted various signs indicating places of interest, an effort no doubt, to boost the tourist attractions in the area.

The campsite itself was a Godsend because I am sure that even the most hard-nosed of campers would prefer the comforts of a flushing lavatory and a shower with running water as opposed to ablutions in the wild. All blessings were therefore heaped on Mr. Hayden Als and his beautiful companion Gail Fuller for their foresight in leasing seven acres of land from the CDA for the purpose of offering a place of respite and rejuvenation for the national community.

Als, a landscape engineer by profession was trained at Merrist Wood Agricultural College in Surrey, England, and his project at Tucker Valley aimed at highlighting the main features of the landscape by sculpturing the secondary forest and complementing the existing vegetation with introduced ornamentals. The result was a garden setting of bamboo sheds set over 10’x 10’ concrete flooring and shaded by scattered bamboo stands, all against the backdrop of the Northern Range.

The facility was opened to the public in May 2003, and although Als claims that there is still a lot to be done, he is giving it his best shot. With the help of his two supportive workers Andy and Antonio, Als is just happy to give something back to the people of Trinidad and Tobago by offering this ecosite in the very lap of nature. The Arboretum is fed by spring water and from the campsite, nature trails fan out to the hills taking hikers either furthur west, or east to the Diego Martin area.

For our first hike we were taken up the Palmiste Trail, passing alongside an abandoned ammunitions bunker to face a hill that seemed to me, to be standing at 90 degrees to the horizontal. It was at this point that I stopped wondering why half of the group had stayed behind ‘to cook’ when it was common knowledge that Vaughn, our designated cook, had already brought along a pot of ‘multi-meat’ pelau, and had lodged it at the campsite. Those crooks!! And maybe that was why the mango orchard was located at the base of the hill too!!…to supply us with all those luscious mango vere, mango rose, calabash and dou dous for energy to climb that hill! Chancellor Hill pales in comparison.
Suffice it to say that your friend here was wishing that horses could fly, and that such a horse would rescue me from the hour and a half of torture that I experienced getting up that hill. I prayed every prayer that I ever learnt, and made up hundreds, but I swore that by the next hike (two weeks away) I would train like Ato Boldon and stock up on the strongest tonic around to make sure that my fitness was at its peak. It was too much to bear the snickering sympathy of those hill buffs ahead of me,….so way ahead of me.

Up on the ridge we were able to look down into the valley and to identify the buildings there, like the Chaguaramas Youth camp and Rehab center; we saw the now brown expanse of the Chaguaramas Public Golf Course, and as we climbed higher, we got glimpses of the ocean beyond the north coast. Above us the cornbirds carried out their daily chores and a woodpecker hammered out a song on a defenseless tree trunk. Snake was able to harvest some leaves from a bayleaf tree, declaring that it would be part of our breakfast the next day. The forest became darker and cooler as we climbed higher, and soon not only our heads, but all of our bodies were in the clouds.

The trail soon leveled off, and with the exception of a few minor inclines, we started the downhill roll, my favourite time of any hike. It was somewhat challenging going downhill with Roseann’s delicate squeals punctuating our exertions and causing us to keep looking around for mice. Finally, we settled on the riverbed and took time off for some refreshments. The guabines (river fish) entertained us as they fought each other for the food scraps that we threw to them. We really felt very appreciated.

The walk down the river calmed my weary heart. The water level was still very low, the rains having just started. The men were even able to trap a few mountain crabs (also called manicou crabs) which Snake bagged for later use. When we came to a narrowing of the rock walls of the riverside, we were forced to execute some Spiderman maneuvers to get over the huge rocks that were blocking the path. Even the six-foot water slide that usually provides thrills for hikers was water free at this time.

While still behind the rocks in that narrow passage, we identified the sounds of human voices and as we got through, encountered a group of hikers, guided by Andy and Antoniio of the Arboretum. The group had come from a San Fernando church to enjoy the beauty of Tucker Valley, but was unable to progress any furthur up the trail because members were not suitably prepared for the rock climbing. Our two groups merged as we headed back to camp and we filled in our new friends on the thrills of the Palmiste trail.

Vaughn’s ‘multi-meat’ pelau was ‘beaten to a frazzle’ as we sighed happily like boa constrictors in the serenity of Tucker Valley. We felt a sense of accomplishment that we had another hiking tale to tell to those who had stayed behind. Those tales filled the minutes at dusk and before long it was time to prepare for bed (whatever form that would take!)

Our bedtime stories that Friday night served to keep us more awake than ever. I am sure that some of us had not laughed so hard and long for ages. With the stench of Snake’s crab soup in the air, Snake and Vaughn gave us a composite account of their exploits as teenage schoolboys in Port of Spain, leaving little to the imagination. The stories doubled as jokes then tripled as history lessons on the layout of the city in those days, and it was almost midnight before we heeded Vaughn’s pleas for us to leave his ‘porch’ and go to our respective beds. The songs of the tiny frogs and the crickets were the perfect lullaby for a well deserved rest, and the Red Howler monkeys reversed the process on Saturday morning, acting as our alarm clocks as they rummaged through the forest in search of their morning meal of fruits and flowers.

A cold bath and hot breakfast got us rearing the next morning, the bay leaves coming in very handy for spicing up the hot chocolate. Preparation of lunch was the next item on the agenda. Stewed meat and vegetable rice were on the menu for the day and our cooks did their usual remarkable job making sure that we would have nourishment when we returned from our Saturday hike. The plan this Saturday was to take a ‘road hike’ to the old Tracking Station on the eastern hills of Tucker Valley. How hard could that be?!

The walk started on the roadway through the ‘Bamboo Cathedral’. The Bamboo Cathedral is a 300m stretch of roadway where the bamboo stalks bend towards each other across the road and their tops form arcs reminiscent of those in a cathedral. We almost performed a marriage ceremony on an unsuspecting couple until we realized that we needed a priest to make it authentic. Added to that, the couple was not satisfied with the quality of the wedding presents, so the wedding was called off and the targeted couple lived to fight another day!

The walk up the paved hill seemed, to my traumatised mind and body, to be yet again never ending, especially since the others were yet again, way ahead of me. However, half-hour later, we came upon the dilapidated sentry house that would have served this station about 60 years ago. Those sentries would have been very privileged to have such a fantastic view of the Caribbean Sea and to enjoy the cooling breezes of the North-east Trade winds.

Another thirty minutes climb got us to the top of the hill where the old Tracking Station stands. It is a cluster of massive buildings that would have housed the American military during WWII. A huge satellite dish rose up from the hill like a dried flower hinting of the excitement and drama of days gone by. We could only speculate as to the precise activities that would have taken place at the base, but I am sure that the CDA will be glad to share their information with us. A pervading sense of history is very much alive on that hill. Much of the movable hardware has already been vandalised and removed from the site, but the construction material is so durable that those multi-storied buildings will certainly be standing for quite some time as testimony to the far reaching tentacles of war.

A few brave hearts made the climb up into the satellite dish and ‘Michael the Fearless’ brought our hearts into our mouths as he defied the howling winds at the top of the dish to lie on the mesh for a sun bath. From the type of equipment left behind we speculated that the lowest building housed some type of water purification system, then, with our investigative powers duly exhausted, we retraced our steps to the main road. Snake took us on one detour onto a sidetrack to harvest a bunch of gru-gru (palm), the tangy pulp of which renewed some of our lost energy.

We drove back to the campsite to the catchy strains of the otherwise sad Chutney song ‘Rum ‘till I Die’, happy that we were together, happy to re-raid the mango orchard, happy to eat a tasty lunch and eagerly looking forward to the three day camp at Grand Tacaripe for the Labour Day weekend.

Joanne Mike-Ventour
HIKE SEEKERS

Hikeseekers Hike to Shark River
by hikermaster Joanne Mike-Ventour

On its own, the scenic drive along Trinidad’s north coast was enough upliftment for any weary soul on this brilliant tropical day in March. Fortunately for the eleven carloads of Hike Seekers this was just the beginning of a thrilling hike down the Marianne River and, along with a Maracas bake and shark breakfast, it was the icing on the first slab of cake that would make a beautiful day a fantastic one.

Our hike master, Lawrence ‘Snake’ Pierre was waiting for us at the hike site, having gone there the night before to make preparations for our arrival. He had carried up the life jackets, pots and pans, ring stoves and foodstuff and had kept the company of ‘Pops’ whose home is located just at the beginning of the trail.

We knew that we had reached our first destination when we saw the faded white sign welcoming us to the waterfall and informing us that ‘Pops’ was our tour guide. . Nobody bothered to find out what Pops’ real name was because he so well fitted the nickname that he was called, acting as a loving and welcoming host to all in the group. No one even hazarded a guess as to when last Pops had even conducted a tour, but the flourishing pepper garden and the hundreds of vegetable seedlings around was enough proof that he had the strength to do it. He did tell us that he used to be an Artificial Insemination technician for the Ministry of Agriculture before his retirement and with the help of some of Caroni’s finest rum, he recalled many of stories from his colourful past…….and he had many many stories. The one that comes quickly to mind is that about a ten year old boy who could not quite understand the Artificial Insemination process and proceeded to use his own intimate words to describe the technique. But that is for another tale.

We left Pops and the designated cooks at the house and began our trek towards the river. We soon began to wonder why on earth we had to climb a steep hill to get to a river, but we put it down to Snake’s attempts to always present us with a challenge. We later realized that there was a flat track running just at the base of the same hill that we had been struggling over. Many hikers became immediately bilingual at that point, speaking two local languages at the same time.

But we did appreciate the welcoming cool of the forest after the blistering sun of the harsh dry season with the charred vegetation of the hills showing the destruction from the thousands of bush fires that had scourged the land over the past few months. Five minutes later we were on the river bank, and one minute after we had crossed the shallow water, we were looking at the Marianne-Avocat waterfall. It was the cutest little thing, secluded and private, with the water cascading about three metres down to shower us with the most refreshing water coming straight from heaven.

The water babies among us quickly found their way in and frolicked for about forty five minutes before we remembered that we were supposed to be on a hike down the river. Among the hikers there were agile ‘mountain goats’ as well as people with two left feet
(nothing personal Susie) so the fun was in us helping each other along and laughing with each other as we picked our ways carefully among the rocks. We still managed to be awed by the beauty of the landscape and the way each piece fitted into the other like pieces of a giant jig saw puzzle. There were times when we were high above the river looking down on its snaking path as we scrambled around the slopes using sturdy ropes to guide us. We were the ultimate mountain climbers!. Other times we were down in deep river water, using those same ropes and life jackets to cross the gorges. Halfway down the river we met a short ‘water slide’ carved out of the riverbed by the force of the gushing water. It did not take much coaxing for hikers especially Johanna’s lively kids from South, to let themselves be carried down the stony two meter slope squealing and shrieking all the way.

All too soon, we came to the end of the river hike and climbed back onto the bank to make our way to the main road. We passed a young gardener who greeted us warmly insisted that he was planting caraille (bitter gourd) although there was no visible evidence of the trellises that are necessary for this production, and one hill later, we were on to the Blanchisseuse road, ten meters from the beautiful Caribbean Sea.

While we waited for the cars to take us back to Pops’ place, we mingled with the holiday makers who covered the sands and we watched others enjoying the kayaking activities up the river. At that point we were a bit too worn out to attempt any other physical activity and our minds were already ahead of us, trying to keep up with our stomachs which were anticipating the hot meal back at the house. There are few things as fulfilling or as tasty as a hot meal after a challenging hike, and the fact that the pots were emptied of the rice, stewed chicken and peas within half an hour of our return, proved the point.

The cooks were blessed over and over again by the weary, happy hikers and all expressed their hearty thanks to Hikemaster Snake and his able hike leaders for yet another successful outing. The next hot date was set for the traditional long Easter weekend at Shark River in Matelot. See you there.

Joanne Mike-Ventour
HIKE SEEKERS

Hikeseekers Hike to Shark River
by hikermaster Joanne Mike-Ventour

It has now become the tradition of the Hike Seekers of Trinidad and Tobago to spend the Easter holiday weekend camping at Shark River in Matelot on the north coast. So that when hikers gathered at Valencia Junction at 8.00am on Good Friday it was with feelings of nostalgic anticipation of the adventures ahead. The highlight of the weekend was to be the hike to Madamas Bay on Glorious Saturday, an overnight rest there, and the return hike back to Shark River on Easter Sunday.

Our hike master Lawrence ‘Snake’ Pierre was already at Shark River preparing the campsite for our arrival and making sure that, with the hundreds of campers who had recently discovered the beauty of Matelot, there would be an area set aside for Hike Seekers. By the time the group that had gathered at Valencia reached to Shark River, the numbers had increased five fold as some hikers had already traveled up from the night before and many tents had sprung up like mushrooms on the river bank.

One of the joys of hiking is the opportunity presented to form bonds with new friends and strengthen bonds with old friends. With camping, hikers are thrown into closer proximity with fellow campers where they get to know and appreciate each other even more in a supportive environment. Worries and stresses are left behind and ‘ole talk’ rules. We all left our woes at Valencia junction and laughed all the way to Matelot, making that two-hour drive seem like it was fifteen minutes long.

We arrived at the campsite to a grand welcome and just in time to assist in the mounting of the tarpaulins that would serve as our shelter for the next three days. The designated cooks, captained by Johnson ‘JB’ Blackburne were already busy over the huge lunch pot, while new arrivals of hikers kept the crowd growing as the day wore on. We all felt very much at home at Shark River and were eager to rediscover the bathing pools up the river. A glorious soak in the river before bedtime ( floortime) is the perfect lullaby.

Campsite at night is a place of great entertainment. Card games, jokes, and heated discussions on social issues could go on for hours, and this Friday night was no different. A hunting expedition left camp with great hopes of trapping some wild meat, but returned empty handed with only the benefits of exercise to show for their efforts (Come again Richard!). Eventually, tired hikers dropped off to sleep, one by one and the only sounds were those of the frogs, night insects and the campers involved in the ‘Best Snorer’ competition. JB quite easily won that one, but his ‘prize’ was just a heap of abuse from his campmates who were probably already a bit sore from sleeping without enough padding on the solid earth. After an invigorating bath in the river and a hearty breakfast fifteen hikers set off to Matelot to start the hike to Madamas Bay. We had braced ourselves for the long walk – thirteen miles in each direction – taking enough water and food to last us through the night, but we were ever grateful for the few mango trees that we passed on the trail. Those mangoes along with the tranquillity of the forest, the scenic walk along the coast trail and the never ending picong made us all feel very privileged to be part of this Hike Seekers group.

Four hours later, we were sinking into the loose sands of Madamas Bay, happy the we had completed this leg of the journey and looking forward to an interesting night of turtle watching on the beach. There were already two families camping on the beach one of which we recognised from the year before. Like the Hike Seekers, they had developed their own Easter tradition, and we met them paddling away on the river on their inflatable rafts. We had a short while to revel in the fatigue of the moment, the roar of the ocean and the beauty of the surroundings before we were directed to focus on clearing a campsite for the night and finding a source of fresh water to replace our depleted supply.

It was on our way down the beach that we met another Madamas friend, Pepper. Those who had not met him before stopped in their tracks at the sight of one of the few remaining members of the ‘Earth People’, a group of locals who in the seventies had denounced the stifling values of modern life (including clothes) and opted to live in the forest in the most natural state they could achieve. Pepper still maintained his natural state (of nakedness) and we found him tending his harvest of seaweed on the beach, preparing it for sale to his established buyers. He took time off from his chores to share his Rastafarian philosophy and experiences with us, and to explain his life style and his dreams to members of the group. It was not surprising that it was the women of the group who showed the keenest interest in what Pepper had to reveal to them, and after an intense photography session, the subject of their attention swung away to perform other necessary duties.
A cool river bath and small snack later, we settled down on the beach to await the arrival of the awesome female Leather back turtles, which were on their annual trek to the beaches of Trinidad and Tobago to, lay their eggs. This sea turtle, also called the Atlantic Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) is the largest living turtle today. Giant Leatherbacks have been known to grow up to 1000kg and are approximately 2.2m in length. The largest one recorded was 3m in length. These turtles travel the furthest and are the greatest migrants of all sea turtles covering thousands of miles over open oceans and strong currents. They nest in tropical waters yet forage in cold areas in the north. In Trinidad, nesting sites are on eastern and northeastern beaches. The turtles also nest in Tobago, the Guyanas, Suriname, Costa Rica, South Africa, Malaysia, Australia and Mexico. After nesting in Trinidad and Tobago, they travel north to Canada, Nova Scotia, Alaska, Norway, across the Atlantic to Africa and when they reach maturity, after about three years, they return to lay, often on the same beaches where they were born, here in the West Indies.
They lay 80-100 soft-shelled eggs in holes about 80cm deep, which they laboriously dig themselves. They prefer these steep coarse sandy beaches, as the haul to the dry sand above the high water mark is shorter. They nest approximately 8-10 times at ten-day intervals from March to September. Females are capable of storing live sperm for several years, enabling them to fertilise numerous clutches of eggs without mating. After approximately 60 days the young hatch. They are 2.5cm long at birth and after attacks by birds, crabs, dogs and fish, their survival rate is one in five. Therefore, for us to witness this marvel of the laying Leatherback turtle was indeed to be a bonus on this trip. We even set a bet as to who would sight the first turtle.

It was not until two hours after sunset that the first giant turtle was sighted at the eastern end of the beach. The finder was not part of the group wager so nothing was gained or lost. We scuttled over to the area of interest and kept the quiet beast’s company while she lovingly followed the call of nature, depositing her numerous potential offspring into their nest. This female was the first of over twenty four Leatherback turtles that would come to the beach that night to perform their motherly duties, raising fears that the small area may have been insufficient for the steady stream of giant visitors. We were forced to leave that problem to Mother Nature as we headed for our own resting-places.

Personally, I blessed this night that I was finally able to fulfill a long held dream to sleep in the open air, under the stars, with the waves crashing in the ocean nearby. The lagniappe was that nature was moving apace, mere metres from where I slept. In my dream, I did not cater for the biting cold at 2.00am nor the heavy drizzle of rain that made us scamper for shelter into enormous plastic bags that somebody with great foresight (and no tent) had brought along. Luckily, we all survived the elements to carry back the tales to our friends at the Shark River campsite.

The mango trees were awaiting our return on the trail back to Matelot on Sunday morning, and due to our depleted resources we were overjoyed to meet each of them. It was sad that the early birds at the front of the group left only bare seeds and skins for the slowpokes at the back, but we were still able to get by.

A sumptuous Easter Sunday lunch on the banks of Shark River was our reward on return to camp, weary but exhilarated. It was a fantastic Easter weekend! We have already started planning for next year in the hope that we will have the good fortune to come together again at Shark River and that Pepper, and the mango trees would again warmly welcome us, as they normally do.

Joanne Mike-Ventour
HIKE SEEKERS

Hikeseekers Hike to Shark River
by hiker Leticia Fraser

I joined the Hike Seekers Club on an overnight stay at Shark River, Toco. I found out about the club at the end of March, where I participated in leisure hike to Sobo Falls. There I met Lawrence “Snake man “ Pierre (He knows Trinidad’s terrain like the back of his hand) Michael and Carol, who all took me under their wings. I was really interested in embracing my country’s beauty so naturally that was the way to go.

So now I took on the adventure of the three-day camp at Shark River not knowing what to expect. I was a bit skeptical because there wasn’t going to be any “Restrooms” around. Instead, a custom designed toilet done by Lawrence himself. Co-workers teased me tremendously about it, but I decided I had nothing to lose. Mr. Pierre assured that everyone looks out for each other and that the hike would include a good blend of people I was off…

On Good Friday Morning, taxi carried me from Port of Spain to the assembly point at Valencia Junction. There I met a group of really cool people: bankers, doctors, mechanics, you name it; I was already invited to share a tent with a fellow camper.

That day was meant to organize the sleeping tents and make preparations for the other days ahead, however I hurried my responsibilities to embark on a one-hour hike up Shark River with campers. I quickly tamed up with Ozzi, Jan and Frank (German Medical Electives), Hyacinth and my main man Ricardo. It was really a beautiful sight. The atmosphere was so fresh and clean, nothing like back in the city. The rivers’ banks were filled with many rocks and boulders, while the luscious green trees shaded the ever present sunlight. They leaned over a bit as if to welcome me. Cool water gusher down our feet from the river and soaked our shoes, but we didn’t mind… We were having fun!
Admittedly, the climbing was a little tough at times but we all encouraged each other to move forward, not to mention, the tremendous pools of river’s water we had at our beckoning to cool off and to drink. I could not believe this was only the first day and I already felt so alive and free. I knew I had made the right choice by going.
The hike back was equally enjoyable but our hunger compelled us to return sooner. When we arrived Snake was not too please that we had abandoned the preparations, but he kept his smile and said, “don’t worry, next time!” We filled our stomachs with Pelau, settled to play cards, and then off to sleep.

Pradeed! Pradeep! Was the wake up call early Saturday morning. We were heading to Madamas Bay. A four-hour walk (one-way) through the forest and vegetation coupled with gradients to work the little muscles you have. We began our journey through the quiet village of Matelot, and then headed for the trail along the coastline. The trail we hiked on was another beautiful one. The forest was virtually untouched by man, (with the exception of the trail, of course!). The air was filled with jokes and laughter but grew to very few ones after a couple of hours inside. We crossed little streams on the path and we drank from them. The water actually tasted better than bottled water.
Another hour passed, when we had caught sight of the ocean again, which meant we had reached our destination. There, we helped ourselves to fallen coconuts on the beach. I sunbathed for a while, and then slipped into the refreshing river channel that greeted the ocean. The sand was almost white, (shake with the colour of “salt and pepper”) and I took a sea bath despite being advised not too. The waves were really irresistible, but they were also powerful and took a toll on me for the long journey back. Funny enough, I never noticed the many gradients I walked down when we first traveled and now they were the countless inclines I had to face. Damn! But it still remained a wonderful experience.

After four challenging hours we made it back to Matelot around 5pm. We were so elated that we pranced all the way until the campsite. Lawrence was there to congratulate us. “Well done you guys”, “I’m glad to see you all are OK!”
Boy, we were beat, but not enough to take a long bath in the Shark River till nightfall. We fixed ourselves a meal, ate and then walked through camp. Around eight p.m. the hikers gathered around to listen Lawrence talk about my ‘favorite,’ SNAKES.

He really took his time to educate us on the 38 species of snakes in Trinidad and Tobago. There I fell in love with a friend he caught during the day, about four feet in length… a Machette snake. I felt better knowing that out of all the species here, there were only a couple of them that was poisonous (Mapapire & Coral), but he remained us that we must always keep a keen eye out for our “friends” as we were in their homes.

The night was still young; I needed to d o something, so I hitched a ride out to Grande Riviere for Turtle watching, as if I wasn’t tired from the long exploratory day! It was amazing to learn so much about these creatures… slow on land but really fast in water, diving at unbelievable depths and holding their breaths under water for as much as forty-five minutes. And they are here every night on our shores in the north coast. Season: March to August.

Our final day came and I was already dreading the city life I had to go back to. I met a bunch of people, made new friends, and discovered. A lot of hidden treasures on my island. Every thing I initially set my heart out for, but no time for weeping, we still had another adventure to embark on. It was the Matelot Falls. Almost everyone within the camp decided to go this time, which was great, but I stuck with my team as they always kept me laughing through each journey we were on. Matelot Falls was also breath taking. Not too much of a difficult hike, but like Shark River the banks were filled with rocks, so our steps were very careful when we met water. I did not bath right away, instead I choose to admire the scenery and suck a Tonka bean on a big rock I adopted. There I chatted with friends Ozzi and Ricardo, and allowed a couple of beautiful Emperor Butterflies to glide over our heads. As usual, Lawrence was busy, going far past our stop to discover new tracks for his Hike Seekers to explore. It was time to head back to camp. We stopped at Matelot Village to glimpse at the festivities held to raise funds for the village. Lawrence collected donations from some of us and gave it to them, and then headed back to camp.

Sadly, It was time to prepare to leave from Shark River. One by one goodbyes were shouted out and numbers were exchange. I for one had a list of numbers and addresses to take back with me. Every thing was carefully organized: from tents to persons in cars, and alas we bid adieu!

The Hike Seekers group is very commendable organization that I trust to take me on many more adventures. Lawrence “Snake man” Pierre is well-rounded individual. He has vast knowledge of the forest, is very experienced and also listens to your concerns.

Thank you Lawrence for an unforgettable and exciting experience!!!

Leticia Fraser

Hikeseekers Hike to Three Stone Pool
by hiker Marsha

My first hike with Hikeseekers (my first hike ever) was a bitter/sweet experience which will forever be embedded in my memory. All odds were against me that morning. Although I had been eagerly anticipating this hike for two weeks, I must admit I was not fully prepared. In the first instance, I forgot my sneakers at the gym and had to compensate with an old pair which had been discarded under the bed for years. I felt it was adequate for what the hike leader Lawrence Pierre (aka Snakeman) termed as a "beginner's hike".

Even when I missed my ride at 6:30 am (still snuggling under the covers), I still did not let that deter me. I jumped in a taxi and travelled east to Lopinot Junction, only to find that the hike had already left. When I called Snakeman he told me to take another taxi to Arima Old Road, where he and the group waited patiently for me. When I finally caught up with them, I was greeted by a large group of about 85 hikers from every age group and ethnic background.

After walking about half-a-mile up Arima Old Road, we branched off into the forested area. It started off as a cool and relaxing stroll through the shady forest of fascinating bamboo and tankabean trees. Then we hit the water and the nightmare started! The soles of my boot-like shoes had become detached in the water and I was advised to just pull off the base of both sides, leaving a thin layer of material. I discovered moments later this was a huge mistake. Every step I took was more torturing than the last as I began feeling every stone beneath my feet. The bottom of the shoes had deteriorated and I was practically walking barefoot. Unable to go on I just sat on a rock feeling very disheartened and wishing I had never gotten out of bed that morning. I had fallen behind everyone and was just about to call it quits when I realised that a group of hikers had returned to help me. They sourced shoelaces and other material in their bags and in the bush. They tied up my shoes and padded the insides to make my feet comfortable.

As I continued on the hike, they kept close to me to make sure that I did not slip on the slopes. When we caught up to Snakeman, he was able to source another pair of sneakers for me. Although I was consumed with self-pity and embarrassment, he made light of the situation making me laugh at my own tribulations. That is when I learnt that another young woman had fallen and fractured her arm and other hikers had come to her rescue. They had banded her arm with plaster of Paris and she was doing fine. I realised my problem was trivial compared to hers and I stopped feeling sorry for myself.

When I eventually got to Three Stone Pool, I breathed a sigh of relief. It was one of the most breathtaking sights and I felt so privileged to be there. At that moment I knew I would continue to hike with Hikeseekers with the full knowledge and security that I was hiking with a team of caring experts.

Marsha

Hikeseekers Hike to El Tucuche
by hiker Carrie

I wanted to thank you for a hike I will remember forever! The other Canadian student teachers that I am here in Trinidad with were soooooo envious. I especially enjoyed: the eel near the river at the start of the hike, ripe cocoa pods, fallen ripe avocados, the red coffee beans, the immortelle trees, the silvery green mosses, the cool springs where we refilled our bottles, the view from the top, the rope down the steep descent, the cedar trees, the termites that you showed me smell like carrots when crushed (and was disappointed I didn't eat any!). The views of the hills to the west and south, and the views of Maracas Beach and Las Cuevas Beach were spectacular.

I am glad I had the chance to meet you and the others - a very interesting and diverse group.

I want to thank you for the safe, organized, and friendly way that you and the other professionals conducted this hike. I'd say more than 30 of us went, some of us very green. It was an 8 hour hike with strenuous parts that tested us (and a relationship or two)!!! you gave me several insights into Trinis and the bush, and alot of laughs.

I still want a T-shirt.

Carrie

Hikeseekers Hike to Yarra River
by hiker Zenobia

The morning of the 6th March 2005 started off with an adrenaline rush. It was 6:00a.m. and our transport was already waiting since we were supposed to be at Maraval for 7:00a.m. Without a choice we hustled, gobbled down our first cup of tea and grabbed our bags as we pushed ourselves through the front gates hoping that our one hour drive turn into half an hour to meet Snake and the others.A group of twenty (20) inexperienced hikers from Claxton Bay decided to put our strength and curiosity to the test. As the long hand approached the big seven, a desperate call was made to Snake begging him not to leave us. Thankfully, he waited – we reached fifteen minutes later.

Snake our guide along with several others made our hiking adventure one to remember. We were comfortable and we were safe, despite the Indiana Jones scenes – like rappelling down a steep hill, swimming down a gorge, hiking up steep slopes that seem never-ending and walking through a cold river for endless hours. Yep! It was all worth it – every bone in your body would have rejoiced from the serenity and peacefulness that enveloped the mountains and the trail that led to this river. Surely, this was real therapy for one’s mind, body and soul.

At the end we were soaked, we were cold, we were aching but strangely, refreshed and re-energized to face the concrete jungle.

As we walked down stream following the river course, it was indeed a moment not to forget – it was an experience which brought us all close that matters of worldly interest were non-existent. How to reach out for help when you need it, especially to cross the deep pools, how to assist with someone’s bag, how to share a fruit or a drink with a stranger and laugh until you cry when someone falls on their butt but help them stand again on their feet at the same time would remain life’s lessons learnt during our trek up and around Yarra River.

Days and weeks have passed but we still replay the scenes over and over in our minds – it was truly DE BEST!!

Oh, and a few of us would be shopping around for new sneakers while the rest would be joining the gym and swimming classes – so lookout Hike Seekers we are coming back with full force.

Avid Hikers,
Zenobia and rest at Claxton Bay (Zobida, Fariyah, Melissa, Shazeeda, Shireen, Ada, Amar, Kumar, Judy, Rehanna, Farrah, Leila, Judy, Nirmal, Lall and friends)

Hikeseekers Hike to Shark River
(Easter Weekend) 2005
by hiker Roxanne Duncan

As I lazily looked through the Express Newspapers during my lunch, I wondered to myself where should I go for my Easter weekend? I wanted time to relax, but still have time for adventure. I definitely knew I did not want to stay at home, then I saw an advertisement for an invigorating four days at Shark River and hikes planned to explore the Matelot Waterfall and the surrounding area at Shark River. I was immediately fascinated, I told others of my desire and two of my friends took me up on the idea. The three of us sat down to make a list of all the things we would need for our camping trip. One tent, sleeping bags, water socks, swimming cap and a lot of calorie-packed foods and drinks. A camp light and appropriate clothing made up the list of things to carry.

After many days of fine weather, low and behold, rain greeted us that morning. Kendell, Gerlyn and I were on our way to Valencia Junction to meet the rest of the campers and our guide Mr. Laurence Pierre aka "Snakeman". The weather did cast a shadow over my expectations but it turned out to be the best weather conditions for our hikes. We journeyed to Matelot in our vehicle following closely our hike leader. Finally we arrived at Shark River and with one gaze at my surroundings, I forgot all my anxieties about the weekend, even the no cellular reception, everything was so tranquil. Our first activity of the day was to set up the tent, which turned out to be a bit tricky, especially when choosing the right spot to pitch your tent. After we got it right and chalked up the task as a lesson well learnt, we decided to take a walk up the river. We found a lovely pool across from our campsite but we preferred the river rapids to unwind. We came back to camp, changed and relaxed with the rest of the group, Leon, Brian, J.B., Elizabeth, Hyacinth and “Snakeman”.

Early Glorious Saturday lived up to its name with clear skies and a warm breeze. While our breakfast was digesting, my small contingent walked up the hill for a view of the rocky beach and the river’s mouth. When we returned to the campsite the weather had changed from blue skies to a dull gray but it was time to set out for Matelot Waterfall. After a short rainy drive to the starting point of the hike and a wave to Papa, we were on our way. The trek was filled with the sights of hidden pools, wild chaconia, nutmeg and coca trees, which fascinated me along the hike. Finally destination up ahead the powerful waterfall was a sight for eager eyes. A few of us took the chance to enjoy the plunge in the pool, while others took the time to catch their breath because once again we were on our way beyond the fall to another pool which was framed on both sides by two massive slabs of solid rock. On our way back, we passed through an old cocoa plantation where we sampled their sweet fruit. Back to camp, we took another dive in one of Shark River’s many pools and settled down to a hot meal of rice and corn-beef and a game of Romey.

Easter Sunday, we decided to take full advantage of the sun to dry some of our clothes that got drenched by yesterday’s showers. The morning was filled with excitement as many families came to spend the day at the river. Most of the excitement was due to Suzie-lee, Snakeman’s pet. A Burmese/Albino python snake. Many came to hold her, even I tried, and some attempted to triumph over their fear of snakes like Joe. After laundry was completed, we began our second expedition – the pools further up Shark River. This trip, compared to yesterday was a lot shorter but just as enjoyable. We noticed an unusual rock formation in the middle of the river, which Snakeman explained would change again when next year rains come because large boulders are usually carried down the river by the large volume of water. We enjoyed the scenery and the large pool we settled down by, after swimming we made our way back to camp. After dinner of potato and bodi, salt fish and grown vegetables we spent our last night playing cards again, listening to stories from Snakeman and JB and laughing at the exchange of picong between members of the group.

After we said our goodbyes to our fellow campers, with promises of meeting again on future hikes, we started our return trip to the hustle and bustle of the Valencia Junction. At the end of it I realized that I had fulfilled all I wanted to do this Easter; I relaxed and got to experience an adventure of a lifetime.

Roxanne Duncan

Hikeseekers Hike to NORTH OROPOUCHE RIVER
by hiker Zenobia Mohammed

After this hike to the scenic and peaceful North Oropouche River, we decided to call ourselves the “Late Stragglers”. The group from Central Trinidad reached on Snake’s hike late and throughout the trail we were last, struggling but not failing. It was a morning never to forget, since it was one of those rare Sundays we could not sleep in. My God, we like to hike but this was a day to remain under covers.

At last, we reached the Valencia River and our hike started up the hills that nestled around this famous river. Our short trek led us immediately to a sudden drop that required us to rappel downhill onto a sea of gravel. “So fast we have to use the rope and we only start to hike for 10 minutes,” complained some of us. But my goodness, if you want adventure – a hike to North Oropouche is your cup of tea. Our trek continued through several crystal clear pools that could give our Nylon Pool a run for its money!  Eventually, we reached the exciting part of our mission. The “Late Stragglers” were not prepared for this: long winding edges – one slip and by force, you could be taking a dive. Then came along several slippery rocks, which had some of us looking as though we were doing the tai chai.

Nevertheless, thank God for helping hands and good company that we had throughout this adventure. Snake, a true hike seeker continued to impress us as we followed him up, down and around the hills. Finally, it was time to rest. We were so relieved to just cool off and replenish ourselves in one of the lovely pools that we found. It was ideal for swimming and just splashing around. It was time to head out.

A decision was to be made – to swim down the gorges or continue hiking on land. Despite our fussing and sore legs, you could guess what our decision was!  Before the action could start, plans had to be implemented. Bags were given up, eyeglasses were secured, shoes were tightened, and cameras were placed in plastic bags then in another and in some cases, in two bags. “See you at the end,” we said to those who were taking the other trail. We bid farewell and the excitement started. Hand in hand, we walked cautiously through the waist height water. Drenched and cold we continued to walk for what seemed like hours. Then it was time to either swim or hang onto the rope for your life!

Several gorges, their depths were unknown. One thing for certain, we were not letting go of the rope. We pulled ourselves across to shallow waters and stood anxiously waiting for the next person. At the end, we gave each other hi-fives, hugs and a pat on the back for a job well done. It took us quite some time to clear the gorges and reunite with the others who took the land trail. However, at the end, we felt fulfilled and we learnt no task is difficult for us to perform after all.

Whether one may be a straggler or an enthusiast, completing the hike and appreciating what our very own natural habitat has to offer is what matters!

All the best and see you around for the next hike,

Your friends,
Abaida, Ada, Fariyah, Farrah, Fiaz, Indaz, Judy, Lal, Melissa, Nassif, Reena, Sanjay, Sharda, Shazeeda, Shazim, Sheereen, Sylvester, Terence, Zobida, Zenobia.

Hikeseekers Hike to Rincon Warerfall
by hiker David White

When our guide unexpectedly cancelled on us two days before our much anticipated hike to Rincon Waterfall in April , we were to say the least, distressed, but to quote an old saying, “When one door closes, another opens”. This turned out to be much more than an opened door.
We contacted Laurence “Snake” Pierre via his Web Site Hikeseekers.com and he arrived at our meeting point ahead of schedule, waiting patiently until we were finally ready to go. This was only the first sign of his professionalism. It was then that he called us together for a few photographs and took the opportunity to introduce us to his team which included a nurse. As it was our first time meeting him, he gave a short lecture on safety in the bush as well as what precautions we should take.

As I later realized, while he waited for us to assemble, he was also assessing the group so as to choose a route which was appropriate for all as we ranged in age from five to fifty five, and some members had come no closer to a gym than viewing fitness ads on cable. His friendships with the residents of the village through which we passed made us confident that we were in the hands of someone who knew the area and the people. We felt safe. As we progressed along the trail, he was in constant wireless contact with the members of his team ensuring our safety at all times. He would often stop to point out various wild fruit and invite us to taste. We were lead to two of the most breath taking and unspoiled pools of crystal clear water I have ever encountered. The purity and taste of which would be the envy of any bottled water manufacturer.

After this invigorating and educational experience, “Snake” shared a meal with us at Las Cuevas beach. From website to safety, medical attendant, provision of secure parking, knowledge of terrain flora and fauna, and just good liming, “Snake” and hike seekers certainly proved themselves second to none.

David White
Pereira and Company Ltd.

Hikeseekers Hike to Balandra Pools
by hiker Melissa M. Phillip

Hikeseekers began their 2005 hiking year on the 20th February, with a fun-filled hike to the Balandra Pools. The hiking terrain itself was a moderate one. The hiking trail leading off the Balandra road and into the Balandra forest.

Members of the hiking team, both local and foreign, were impressed with the knowledge and skill of their guide, Mr. Laurence Pierre, as he not only maneuvered them throughout the trail safely, but also taught the team members about their environment and tips on survival in their environment.

The moderate trail, led members to three (3) refreshing pools enclosed by exotic flora basing the Balandra waterfall. The hike lasted approximately three (3) hours, with a final stop at the Balandra beach.

For an opener, Hikeseekers did well in all their planning, as this was the ideal hike for the beginner and upper sporting classes (intermediate and advanced) ‘shaking’ off the effects of the Christmas and Carnival holiday seasons.

Refreshing and preparing the mind and body for other HIKESEEKING events yet to come.

Photography and Article prepared by: Melissa M. Phillip

Hikeseekers Hike to Madamas Waterfall
by hiker Marisha Darneaud

Quoting from the Saturday Express editorial of May 17, 2003, "Bad must not overshadow good."

In spite of the high level of crime in the country, T&T still has hope. It is indeed a challenge for us, but we must continue to work for positive community development. T&T, thought heavily burdened with social ills, still possesses an asset that continues to draw lots of foreigners resulting in more $$ for the local economy.

That asset is our lovely physical attractions. Recently I was at one of them-Madamas waterfall (pronounced Madame mus') and what an exciting day it was! A while back, my friends, Tinasha, Lashawn, Brent, Kirwin and I joined other excited youths in Port of Spain, where we were to journey or should I say hike for approximately six hours through the Blanchisseuse forest, Brasso Seco, to find the above-mentioned waterfall. Gulp!

As the maxi journeyed, the tour guide, Laurence "Snake" Pierre, who has over 20 years experience in hiking, was giving us in-depth information about the fall. However, I cannot recall one word he said, as the breath-taking scenery of the lush forest captivated me. There was a lot of cristophene vegetation growing on carefully constructed wires extending way down the precipices. And talk about fresh air! One could actually smell the difference between the town and forest blindfolded; no scent of smoke or gas, the air was lighter and clean! No wonder people choose to live up there. Speaking about residents who live in those areas, we were in awe at how many of them survive without running water, electricity and many other commodities we take for granted. Of course, our cell phones could no longer receive any signals as the drive took us higher into the hills. These residents seemed to be very healthy and happy. They plant their own food and are some of the friendliest people one can ever encounter. Upon disembarking from the maxi, we prayed, then started trekking along a dirt road enjoying the raw, unspoiled, uninhibited beauty of nature. Soon the road ended and the hike really began.

We eventually found ourselves climbing up and down hills, nearly tripping over large roots and stumps, wondering if our legs could carry us any further. "Are we there yet?" was a question repeated many times. We then arrived at a location where the river was close by and we couldn't believe that there were more houses; one of the residents even owns a small brown deer. The luscious scenery continued to mesmerize me and the journey was made less burdensome with lots of fun and laughter as hikers mimicked Tarzan's sounds. I guess we were curious - almost ready to believe we would see him, or maybe the sight of Papa Bois seemed more realistic. The sight of the rippling river made it evident that our destination was close by. It then became normal to see the youths treading in the river in their sneakers when they were unable to find any more clear dry land.

I was determined to be the only smart one to have not landed in a mossy spot or get my sneakers wet, but soon Lashawn, Brent and Tinasha left me and I realised I was the last person in the trail! I finally took off my sneakers and waded slowly, reaching nowhere fast. Kirwin who probably felt sorry for me (or was laughing in his mind at my foolishness) decided to stick with me. The fact that the others were already splashing and enjoying the water finally convinced me to do what I dreaded-I put back on my poor, already partially unstitched footwear and waded in the river as fast as I could, and, in no time, I joined the others. The waterfall, concealed and protected by miles of forest, is spectacular. The clean water was so cold and refreshing that after a swim, you wouldn't feel like bathing for days. Purified water brands can't compete any day with that water. Why hadn't brought a camera?

One of the residents, Kumbaya, who is probably over fifty years old, made the trip with us. He proved that we youth were no match for his strength. While we had to make several stops to breathe, drink water and rest, Kumbaya trod easily as if he was just taking a casual stroll! When we reached back to the maxi located by Kumbaya's house, he offered us some cooked fish, seasoned with his own produce. I was a bit skeptical to taste food without salt but that meal was absolutely the best I have ever tasted!

I can't wait to hike again. For those of you looking for some healthy activities, you can try hiking. "Snake" is the manager of "Hike Seekers", an organization that arranges hikes for all interested. If you know that you can't handle the mosquitoes or bush, doh bother, but if you really want to see what to see what T&T has to offer you in terms of rivers, falls and beaches I guarantee you never heard of, go to www.hikeseakers.com for the information you need. The question is: Are you ready?

Hikeseekers.com is an organization set up by environment-loving people. It is spear-headed by professional hikers with many years of experience. The hike master as mentioned earlier is Lawrence "Snake" Pierre who is a member of our Defense Force. Hike Seekers is also linked with organizations like TIDCO and T&T Field Naturalists Club. There is so much one can learn about our ecosystem and about our lovely isles.

If you are interested, contact members of the organization to arrange a hike for you and your group or join them on one of theirs.

Hikeseekers Hike to Sombasson Waterfalls
by hiker Merlana Henry

On Sunday 5th June I left home at 7 am and travelled along the Churchill Roosevelt highway to the Arima hospital, the meeting point for the hike. Once at the hospital, I excitedly jumped out of the car and walked towards the smiling faces that greeted me, some familiar, most new.

For me the adventure started as I manoeuvred my vehicle along the narrow and winding road of Guanapo. Several dark-bellied clouds scudded across and veiled the sky in grey. “It looks like we’re going to get some heavy showers today” I said to my fellow hike seeker. “So it seems but we can’t let a little rain stop us” he replied. After a 40 minute drive along the forest-lined dirt road our group of 20 (15 trinis and the Reed family of Colorado) arrived at a quarry, the starting point of our adventure. We were ready to conquer the Guanapo rainforest!

At the mouth of the rainforest we were welcomed by felled trees and huge tyre tracks. The forest’s pristine beauty fractured by man’s indiscriminate, greed motivated activities. A half hour later, after slogging through boot-sucking mud, we arrived at a small stream. Here we washed our feet before entering the wide expanse of virgin forest. We were led by Laurence “Snakeman” Pierre, hike master of Hike Seekers of Trinidad and Tobago club. “ Snakeman” is a boisterous man, well built with penetrating eyes. His warm personality punctuated by a raucous laugh quickly put the neophytes at ease. “Snakeman” is widely considered to be one of Trinidad’s best wilderness scouts. On this particular hike he was ably assisted by hike leaders Calvin Crawford and Leon Rougier.

With a slight drizzle as our blessing we proceeded in single file and disappeared into the dense electric greens and rain-soaked browns of the forest. The hike was gruelling with a series of steep inclines that required fitness and a large dose of endurance. At certain points, the trail seemed to be too much for 7 year old Sophia, myself and a few other hikers but encouraged by “Crawfie” and others we trekked along, dodging overhanging branches and thick vines, climbing rocks and crawling across the thick trunks of fallen trees. However, the demands on our bodies were a small price to pay for the breathtaking beauty that surrounded us in the forest.

The Guanapo forest hosts a rich assortment of inhabitants and we were fortunate enough to experience some of them. A variety of birds cried out their greetings from the canopy overhead, mountain crabs peeked out of their holes to bid us good day and a cloud of big blue butterflies danced ahead of us part of the way, as if welcoming us to their habitat. As we continued along the strenuous trail, the little streams of fresh, cool water were like oases in the desert. At last, after the three hour challenge the Sombasson waterfall loomed ahead of us, nestled in the hillside. Most of us were happy and relieved to see the waterfall and we rushed towards it to allow it’s powerful gush of water to massage our bodies and provide temporary pain relief. We spent an hour at the waterfall before starting off on our journey back.

The 2 hour hike back though challenging, was a little easier since we opted to swim through the Guanapo gorges. After a short hike across land, we climbed onto a tree branch and made an 8 foot jump into the cold river down below. From then on it was mostly swimming. We swam, tiptoed across slippery rocks and swam. Well-equipped with rope and life jackets “Snakeman” and the other hike leaders guided us safely along the Guanapo river, through the gorges, back to our starting point at the quarry.

It was a day well spent in good company. Hiking with this fun loving group is always a good form of stress relief and a great way to discover the hidden wonders of our beautiful island. Friendly teasing from “Snakeman” and “Crawfie” helped the less brave among us to conquer their fears of the wilderness and helped to take our minds off of the challenging activity.

As we got into our individual vehicles to head back to “civilization”, we called out to each other promising to meet up again in two weeks on the next hike. According to the schedule the next hike is on June 26th to the Guanapo waterfall and gorges and promises to be another wonderful adventure.

Hope to see you there!

Hikeseekers Hike to Angel Falls
by hiker Velma Issaac

To say the sites were unbelievably spectacular does not begin to explain the feeling when one reaches Angel Falls. The brief view of the Las Cuevas beach, Caribbean blue and jet-black butterflies flitting by just within ones reach and the aroma of citrus, pommeracs, and other Caribbean aromas filled the air. Some hikers even took the opportunity to retrieve breadfruit plants and orchids. For those of us who believe, you saw God in his splendor and wonder if there was really a “big bang” that created us all. We are truly blessed to be living in the Caribbean.

Now to get into the details of the trip, I was totally unprepared for the hike to ‘Angel Falls’, but boy was it worth all the falls, rolls and tumbles. I regretted then all my weekly savouries of ‘kiss raison buns’, cookies, cake, chips and the list goes on. I thought I was fit but I was in for a rude awakening. I had not done any form of physical activity in more than a year so I thought it would be great to break away from the routine of work, home, church that had become my life (don’t get me wrong, church is great).

My ex-coworker called me out of the blue inviting me to go on a hike to ‘Angel Falls’ carded for November 06, 2005. She invited me to numerous other hikes that turned down, but something about the word ‘Angel’ attracted me so I immediately went online searching for more information. Apparently other Caribbean islands have their own ‘Angel Falls’ as well as our neighbouring Venezuela.

A mixture of twenty guys and gals set out on the journey that seemed like a piece of cake to most but somewhat arduous for about three of us for one reason or the other. One group went over the mountain whilst my group wined our way upwards and around until we met up at the established meeting point from where it was a more downhill. I struggled from the word go but everyone was real supportive especially the guys whom I did not even know. They stuck with me and encouraged me even when I turned to head for home. I learned the importance of proper breathing and not the shallow way we normally do. Also learned when to take long strides and when not to, conserving energy by keeping my head cool and taking sips of water to avoid dehydration. Thanks to our trusty, animated tour guide ‘Snakeman’ (who actually drank some snake poison before we ventured onto the trail and I prayed, “Oh, Goodness, Gracious, Father, Heaven help us Lord, if a snake should appear please let it begin with him and not me”).

The mood started lightening up when people started slipping, sliding, tumbling and rolling down the mountainside. Then, my turn came. At some points we had to sit and slide on our butts. There were numerous cool springs that tasted so clean and pure I dreaded going back to WASA’s brown soup. On arrival back home I felt like going right back to fill my water bottles with the pure freshness from the various waterfalls dotting the mountainside.

All in all, I would recommend this hike to all nature enthusiasts. It’s worth the effort guys especially if you’re with good company.

Thanks Lynette, next time – maybe.

Hikeseekers Hike to Blackpool & Rincon Falls
by hiker Michelle Acevero

The day that my friend and I were waiting for finally came and because we were partying the night before, we were rushing like two mad people, so we would reach on time at the meeting point and not be left back by the group of hikers on that Sunday morning. Thankfully for our culture of being late, we met up with our Hike leader Laurence “Snakeman” Pierre and the others hikers. We took off on our journey, which took us two hours to reach the point where we started the hike.

After securing our vehicles and taking a group shot, we set off to our destination, Rincon Falls. Our trek on Rincon road was in itself an experience. My friend Craig from England was amazed as we passed small wooden homes “in the middle of nowhere” where people could live such humble lives. You could not help but feel like an outsider as the few residents looked out at us while we walked on the trail. I am sure we were a familiar sight to them, as they live along the path of one of God’s beautiful creation in Trinidad.

After fifteen minutes of walking, we entered the forest. I felt like eve walking through the garden of Eden. The sound of the leaves blowing in the wind and the birds whistling were like music to my ears. While our hike leader Snakeman was cutting some of the bushes to clear the track for us to pass, we were talking and making jokes among ourselves. As a nature lover, I was enjoying the scenery and took mental photos of the trees and the breathtaking views we got of the mountains. The trees were very huge and their foliage were thick. There were a wide variety of trees and plants.

I occasionally had to look back to make sure my friend Craig was okay as this was his first hike.I liked hearing the sound of dry leaves crackling under my feet and the hundreds of insects all around, carrying on conversations in their own language. We came upon some cocoa trees with fruit and the guys helped themselves with a few cocoa. They even convinced my friend Craig to try it and when he did the expression on his face made me smile, I knew he had never tasted anything like that before.

About forty-five minutes after we began, the place was humid and I started to miss my bed. In the near distance I began to hear the sound of water, as we got closer I even began to smell it. Knowing that we were a short distance away from the falls gave us an energy boost to walk faster to reach the falls.

When we arrived at the waterfall our hike leader explained to us that this was Blackpool and not Rincon falls which would take us approximately ninety minutes more to reach. Blackpool, as the name implies looks like a hole that is carefully carved into the hills. The pool of water was inviting and our leader, Snakeman, was the first to get in the water, his facial expression spelt out joy and love for nature.

After about twenty minutes at the Blackpool we continued our hike to Rincon Falls. The walk to the falls lasted another hour and again just before we reached our final destination we heard the falling water cascading down the slippery rocks. As nature had one of her beautiful creations well protected and hidden we had to climb down a very steep hill with a rope, which for the less athletic was quite challenging. In the end however when you get out of the forest and into the clearing there she was, the Rincon Falls, absolutely breathtaking.

Every piece of rock, every shrub and the water flowing down the rocks was something I had never experienced. I had to stand back and admire the beauty of the falls which was about three hundred feet. I looked up to the heavens and smiled and felt that God was also smiling back at us for discovering one of his little treasures.

We swam, took massages under the water fall, ate and swam again. It was so beautiful that when it was time to go, I tried to take a last look around, so I will always remember the beauty of the falls. The rains came and it was a little struggle to hike out of the forest. However, we made it and the hike was over.

To complete the day, Craig and I decided to stop at Maracas Bay and continue having a day full of fun. The day turned out to be a good one for me. The hike to the falls, the lush green forest, force you to forget about the rat race in the concrete jungle which we live in and sometime stop and smell the roses.

     
(Snake - Mapipie)                                                  (Blackpool)    

Come and join me next year on another hike.

Hikeseekers Hike to Rincon Falls
by hiker Devi Sharp
Artic Tern Yatch

We met our guide, “Snake” at the start of the trail. As we got ourselves together I saw Snake and his assistant, Keston, unload a few ropes and a lifejacket from the trunk of his car. Snake gave us a safety talk and we were off down the road. We passed a few houses and active gardens. Snake stopped now and again to point out plants of interest and tell us the medical and practical uses. We all tried a plant that tasted a bit like spinach. I enjoyed the botanical lessons. At this point someone remarked about our good fortune to have and early start and to beat the heat.

The trail followed the contour of the hillside and was an old path that was used for transporting coffee and cocoa to market in St. Joseph, when it was the capital of the country. We stopped at a field that was planted with pumpkin and cucumber. The cucumbers had been picked, but a few were missed and Snake used his cutlass (machete) to peel cucumbers and gave us each a slice. He then tossed us each a mango as a desert for our snack. After about two hours of hiking we reached Black Waterfall. We took a half hour break for a swim. A few of us, (okay, only Jesse and I), climbed up about ten feet in the chute of the waterfall and slid down into the water. It was a refreshing break.

Another hour or so and many “nature food breaks” got us to the edge of Rincon Falls. Snake rigged a hand line so we had something for our hands to grip as we walked down a slippery muddy gully. We all arrived safely to a pool fed by a 300 foot waterfall. The falls stepped down the cliff in small shimmering ribbons and pooled on ledges and continued downward traversing the ledges. We lunched and swam for an hour. Snake rigged another safety rope in the deep pool just in case someone needed help. Snake had obviously spent a lot of time and planning on his safety plan.

Seemly out of nowhere Snake produced a red tailed boa. I admit I am a fan of snakes, especially boas and pythons. We are too big for them to eat and we present no threat to them. Several of us enjoyed handling this gentle forest dwelling creature.

Our natural trail snacks included mamey apples, known as apricots in some of the other Caribbean islands. We stopped at a bread fruit tree and Snake showed us that you can make a slash in the tree and the layer beneath the bark will weep a milky substance. If you let that milky gum sit there for a few days you can return and scrape the gum and have your self a nice wad of chewing gum. It has no taste, but a good consistency. It is best not to take it out of your mouth and look at the color of the gum- it is an unappetizing shade of gray. The color of chewing gum is overrated!

After a bit of a steep downhill hiking, we hit a dirt road and crossed a few streams. In a deep stream, Snake got busy on a project. He was vigorously rubbing a cocoa fruit on a rock. A blob of yellow slime was growing and he reached up and started shampooing his hair with the yellow stuff. I admit that I am terminally curious and besides I felt that Snake would be disappointed if no one took him up on his offer of a shampoo. I wet my hair and offered up my head for anointment with the yellow goop. I lathered and rinsed and after a few more rinses my hair was clean and soft. In fact I think even now a few days later it is a bit softer.

We had a great day and learnt that you do need to be prepared for a few hours of hiking, a bit of steep terrain, and whatever weather the day brings. The youngest hiker in our group, an eleven-year-old, was consistently in the front of the line hopping logs and ducking vines. Lunch, water, insect repellant, and good shoes are essential for the trip.

Devi Sharp
Artic Tern Yatch

Hikeseekers Hike to Marianne Falls and more on Mother’s Day
by hiker KellyAnn Balfour
balf5036@wasa.gov.tt

We gathered at the Maraval gas station for 7am (Trini time). Here everyone looked forward to meeting old friends and making news ones. The regulars looked for the familiar faces and the newcomers indeed fit in quite nicely. It was at this very meeting point that Crawford, one of the hike leaders taught another hiker and I to say “Good Morning” in dutch.

A long drive along the North Coast Road to Blanchisseusse followed. After parking our vehicles in the yard of a very warm and friendly old man, we paid the hiking fee, gathered our hiking necessities and listened to Mr. Pierre, the hike master’s instructions. Anxiety and excitement could hardly describe our emotions as we began our trek. We had no idea what beauty awaited us ahead. The group consisted of approximately thirty hikers. Two dogs also followed us.

ADVENTURE SEEKERS
After walking for about twenty-five minutes, suddenly we bumped into some adventure. Yes! In front of us, there was a large mass of water that looked like about 9 feet deep. One hiker shouted, “survival of the fittest”. Mr. Pierre informed us that we had to cross the water either by swimming or with the aid of the rope that they were going to connect. This came as a surprise to most of the hikers who were expecting a simple hike since we were told that the duration was approximately an hour, one way. We were all presented with the challenge of getting across the water.

Instantly, some of us, particularly the adventure lovers, were filled with euphoria. The non-swimmers put on the life jackets that were provided and the swimmers grabbed the opportunity to ‘show-off’ on us. One rope was used to slide the bags across and one to aid the hikers in the process. We couldn’t keep still, yet those of us who were still waiting to get across looked on as the others cautiously climbed down the small hill before entering the water. Mr. Pierre encouraged the hikers with camera to capture this moment. Chatting was non-stop at this time while some of us were getting into gear for the water-crossing event.

Do what works for you, was the self-made rule for most of the hikers. Some took off their shoes and threw them across, not wanting them to get water-logged. While the shoes were being thrown across, Mr. Pierre with his military-like deportment shouted “shoes coming, shoes coming”, to alert the hikers on the other end to look out for these flying objects. Some of the hikers reduced their articles of clothing while others ‘stripped down’ to as little as their two-piece bikinis. It took about forty minutes for all the hikers to get across. In the air, there was a feeling of accomplishment especially among the non-swimmers. This moment of adventure will be etched in the minds of many of us especially the hikers whose photos would forever help to tell the story. For me, this moment was enough to ‘call it a day’.

RARE BEAUTY
We arrived at Marianne Falls approximately twenty minutes later. What a beautiful sight! Oh Marianne! Like a rare diamond, this waterfall “reached out and grabbed me”. On yet another occasion, my trusty camera came in handy. Even the most cloudless photos can never compare to beholding such beauty with the naked eye. I visited quite a few of the other waterfalls in Trinidad and I can safely say that Marianne falls is one of the more beautiful waterfalls that one can find in this country. The water under the waterfall was a bit cold but the day would not be complete if we didn’t go under for a bath. You could feel the sting of the falling water as you sit on the rocks beneath.

SNAKE ‘PARTY’
I believe we got a small ‘taste’ of heaven – a waterfall that’s out of this world and there’s more: tame snakes. Mr. Pierre who owns these snakes packed them in boxes that were placed in his backpack and brought them along the trail. He willingly introduced us to his reptile friends while giving us detailed handling instructions. The texture and beautiful shades of these tame reptiles were very attractive. They captivated our attention for a very long time as we played with them and took each other’s photos while posing with the snakes around our necks, arms and fingers. A few of the hikers weren’t intrigued at all as they opted to stay at least 20 feet away from these reptiles. One hiker, Petronilla who initially opted to remain at a distance, remarked to Mr. Pierre “Did those snakes have a conversation with you this morning and tell you that they wouldn’t bite?” Eventually, she too joined the snake ‘party’.
.
WHAT LIES ABOVE …
Mr. Pierre invited the hikers for a trek above the waterfalls before we made our way back. This is the first time that I had the opportunity to stand on the top of a waterfall and look down. Here we got an aerial view of the other hikers who opted to remain under. I “ruled the world” for a moment.
Some hikers bathed in the water that gathered above the waterfalls, some got swimming lessons and coaching from both Mr. Pierre and Crawford while some relaxed, chatted and enjoyed the view. Shortly afterwards, we walked back down to the base of the waterfall, gathered our stuff and reluctantly said farewell to “beautiful Marianne”. We then began our trek back to our vehicles. The two faithful dogs whose instinct led them to bark at two young men who were passing while we were relaxing at the waterfall, eagerly led the way. These dogs barked at the young men who were strangers to them just like us, yet they patiently and willingly accompanied us throughout this hike. The different trail that we took allowed us to return in about half hour. Oh how I wished the day would last forever.

MANDERINE GALORE!
When we returned, we got permission to pick manderines from a ‘laiden’ tree in the old man’s backyard where we parked. We ‘pounced’ on that tree and began pulling down branches like ‘first time’. After we filled a bucket, plastic bags and jersey pouches, that manderine tree was left almost ‘naked’. Those manderines were all worth it. This hike catered for the entire family. I enjoy hiking. This was my first hike with the Hike Seekers hiking club and I vow to return on another hike with this club. I learnt a lot from Mr. Pierre and the other leaders who were all very knowledgeable, friendly and welcoming. Way to go Hike Seekers! The entire day was splendid.

KellyAnn Balfour, 11th May 2008