The morning started with a bit of extra work as the genset impeller needed replacing before we could do a planned wash. Colin helped with the job and it was soon done.
We went ashore around 8:30 which, being high tide, made for an easy run over the shallows. We soon had a taxi flagged down and after a brief stop at the nearby supermarket we headed down the east coast road to Bouma National Heritage Park to walk the Tavoro waterfall trail. The work ‘road’ is somewhat generous as at times the road had the texture of a dry, rocky riverbed which, we imagined, it might well have been after a deluge.
The park office was located in a very nice garden and we were sold our access permit by the very nice Maria. The path to the first waterfall was well groomed with soft grass underfoot. It was also short, only about 10 minutes. The waterfall we stunning with a deep pool beneath into which we plunged. The flow was strong so approaching the base of the falls took a lot of effort. The water was refreshingly cool lowering our body temperatures in advance of the next section.
This next section was a steep climb taking us well above the first falls. The effort was more than rewarded by some spectacular views of the coast and the land below. There were two routes to the second falls. We took the left fork which was shorter but involved a slippery river crossing. A rope had been conveniently placed to help us across.
We reached the second falls and again entered the pool for a swim and a cool down. We then pressed on to the third and final falls. This trail was quite muddy but we had plenty of opportunities to wash the accumulation on our feet and shoes. Again, another swim and this time we stopped for a snack.
On the way down we took the alternate, longer route, from the second pool down. The earlier views were now even more stunning as the sun had shifted more behind us. Just by the first pool we noticed a table had been set up, perhaps for a romantic honeymoon lunch.
Back at the office we debated the pros and cons of continuing further on to do the coastal walk which would take us to another couple of waterfalls. It turned out we didn’t have the time to do it justice so we grabbed our sleeping taxi driver for the ride back to Matei.
We had hoped to stop at ‘Audrey’s’ for a late lunch as all the guides raved about the place. It was, unfortunately, closed until the weekend so we ended up at Coconut Grove. Here we had some heavenly fruit juice/ice cream combination drinks followed by lunch overlooking a magnificent view of the bay.
When we eventually arrived back at the boat I was too tired to go lobstering and snoozed for an hour or so.
The evening concluded with a BBQ. Definitely a good day. Enjoy the pics below. The last couple of days have also been uploaded.
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