Pictures of the hike to Soufiere

Last week of training


This is the last week of training.  A lot of this week is language and final assessment as we prepare for the swearing in ceremony on Friday.  Swearing in will mark the 50th year on the island so it will be a big event.

 I’m looking forward to moving from Peace Corps Trainee to Peace Corps Volunteer, but that big change that also comes with its own challenges.  More about that later.  For now a photo post.

Hiking down to Soufriere


Monday Aug 7 was a holiday on the island, Emancipation Day, remembering the end of slavery on the island.  So, with the day off I hiked down to Soufiere with my homestay “brother”, “mom”, a friend of hers, and 6th grade student at my school.  It was a very nice day that ended up with a little bit of snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea off Scotts Head beach.

I’ll let some pictures do most of the talking for the post this week.
Kayla shows off the type of shoes natives can use - flat sole slip ons.  I wanted my hiking shoes.
Kayla, Jaceline, her son Dilano, and her friend Gladstone

Looking down from Tete Morne to Soufriere

Our first destination down from Tete Morne

 The day had started with a little drizzle, but if you wait for a completely dry day one might never get the chance during this season.  The trail was not overly wet and the clouds and overgrowth provided a comfortable atmosphere - a great day for a hike, but then every day is at least a good day for a hike.

 The trail down the steep side of the mountain is basically a series of steep switchbacks separated by straight paths with a more gradual decline.
It's all downhill from here.

Looking back at one of the steep parts with somehow steps.

The Nature Island of Dominica is covered with lush vegetation.

Picture looking down does not give justice to the height difference of the paths between the switchbacks. 

Even this picture does not give justice to the descent of the trail.  It was a fantastic hike!!
You could smell the sulfur before reaching the deposits at the bottom of the mountain 

Exploring the sulfur deposit surrounded by cashew trees.

Small fumaroles vents hot air from some of the sulfur deposits around sulfur springs.

Hot springs fill a number of pools.
After Sulfur Springs I set aside my improvised walking stick, shoes, and pack to cool off in a stream

Along the road to Soufriere with mountains in the background

Look back on the hike on the road down to Soufriere

One of the beaches with children taking advantage of a diving platform

Once in Soufriere we went to Bubble Beach just next to St. Mark's Church.  A small pool has been made so the fumaroles bubbling up hot air can heat the sea.  So one can relax in the heated area and the swim in the cooler sea.

Bubble beach pool

Scott's Head beach with Atlantic on the right and Caribbean Sea on the left.

Scotts Head in the background as I stare into the sun

Clouds rolling in with more rain 

I found the local 7-11 but no Slurpee or Big gulp.




This post has taken longer to publish than I expected because I've been busy integrating and exploring.   

 Missing family and friends back home - but having a great time - so people will need to visit because I don't plan to leave until COS (close of service) in 2 years unless there is an emergency.



Love Always,

John

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