5 points to the person who knows the singer of THAT song!
Set out to the guide shop first thing. After waiting a while (learning to let go!), we hop in the jeep and head out on a 1 1/2 hour drive around the north end of the park to Capao. We set out on our hike over weird rock formations at 11:20 – not great timing, if you ask me (and nobody did!). The guide, me, an Argentine couple and the husband of a German/Brazilian couple. Pace is fine and I am surprised to find out that the hike is 12 kilometers in total, not each way. The first 2/3 was climbing up (go, knees, go) and the rest was a slightly rolling sandy trail. Looking around, there are great expanses of thick jungle-covered protrusions from the earth. Not sharp peaks or definitive mountains you see when hiking in Colorado. I have some pictures below, but as is often the case, they cannot do justice to what the eye can see for miles. The village of Capao, where we started is nestled in the valley.
So pretty with all of the orange- red tile roofs. In about 20 minutes, we come to a river whooshing over the rock, clear where the water thins out over the rock and red where it forms pools. I was informed that the red color is not from iron oxide, but from tannins and natural things in the water. Who knows? We all strip to our suits, me in jog-bra and bikini bottom, and refresh ourselves in the cool water. Of course it takes a while for me to ease myself into the chilly water, weenie that I am!
Five more minute walk to the top – no shade – and we can see over the cliff into the wide, lush valley in front of us for miles. I inquire as to the whereabouts of the waterfall, and am instructed to get on my belly, crawl to the lip of the cliff while someone holds my feet (as if) and I will see it tumbling down, down, down into a pool below. That is, over 420 meters below. I did as instructed:
but it is really too freaky to look as far as I might otherwise. What is it about having the land drop away in front of you with a seriously long drop the makes your brain think you’re going to be pulled down into the abyss? I snapped some pictures:
and then scrambled away from the edge. Did the same on another edge that wasn’t as scary. A couple of times, I just held the camera out in front of me and hoped I’d get a good one! There was a german couple, aged 70, up there, and my german hiking companion said they were complaining that the waterfall was so small, and added in follow-up “typical germans”.
We ate a leisurely lunch, me hunched under a little bush for some shade. Wasn’t really hungry in that heat, but managed to down my piece of pudding cake and part of a “natural” sandwich, basically ricotta cheese, sun dried tomatoes and some herbs – a popular one around here.
Hiked around for a different view of the falls, then stopped for another dip in the pool before heading down. Ah the knees! They are getting mighty cranky; if only they knew how much more I am going to be asking them to do before they’re done! Tried to get a picture of the cool rock we were climbing down – in some places, it looked like there were actual footholds.
Piled in the truck, then doing the dip and dive on the bumpy ride home. Showered quickly, then headed to town for a hot stone massage. Pretty good, but started feeling weird while on the table. Figured it was some dehydration and not having eaten enough calories for the hike. Left the massage and started feeling so bad that I ducked into the first bakery I saw for a sprite and some plain bread. I had to sit on the step, I couldn’t keep my head up, and a kind man in the store passed me the bread and my change. After ingesting a little sugar, I felt much better, so headed straight back to my room, instead of to dinner. Good thing, too, as I proceeded to be violently ill. Thank goodness it only lasted about an hour – I hate those all nighters. Had to try to sleep sitting up, because any other position made me feel so nauseous….Anyway, you get the idea. Gotta cancel my trip tomorrow…..