Feb 16th 2009 - The perfect remedy

I slept badly and the first hour of the hike was not enjoyable. It was raining but I was boiling hot and had a stomach ache. But the first stop provided a breathtaking view and the stunning views continued from there and my mood improved exponentially.

After the first bridge of the hike we were attacked by inch long insects – their arrival heralded by the screams of Tara – which clung to our hair and clothing. Between bridges there was marshland where the guide found a couple of dry areas to step on before charging straight through the middle – my first step put my foot completely underwater! When we escaped the marshland we found a muddy river which we had to go through where the mud came up to our shins and sometimes people got stuck (Tara being the most animated). Walking boots were necessary…well except apparently for Katja.

We got to the Cloud Rainforest hostel (not located in a cloud rainforest) and I started to feel the sunburn on my back from the last couple of hours of the hike. Joana, Sally, Hilde and I played hac-e-sac, catch and piggy-in-the-middle before we were treated to a dance by some local children – they were good but they did smell a bit!