Paria Falls, Trinidad

After returning from Panama and Cuba we still had a few days before Hannah had to go back to work and Sarah returned to Australia. So, we thought it best to get out and about in Trinidad and show Sarah some of the islands specy bits. The highlight was taking a boat trip out to Paria Bay. We arranged to head out there with a great local hiking guide, Emile Serette, so that we'd get the lay of the land and so that some of us could also hike back from Paria Bay. Some other friends joined us too - Omar, who is one of our regular drivers and avid hiker, and our German friend Claudia and her two year old son Tom. We started the adventure in Blanchisseuse, where some local fishermen took us along the coast to Paria Bay. Little did we know but between about December and June the seas between Trinidad and Tobago have significant waves travelling from east to west. It means that the trip eastwards from Blanchisseuse to Paria Bay is against the waves and was a lot rougher than we imagined it could possibly be, especially in a small fishing boat.

Once we were there, we enjoyed some time on the beach and then made our way along the muddy banks of the Paria River and then through the Paria River to the stunningly beautiful and delightfully cool Paria Falls. Once we were back on the beach, Claudia, myself and the three boys, hung out for a little while. The fishermen cracked open a few coconuts, which had the most amazing amount of scrumptious flesh in them. Hannah, Sarah and Omar headed off with Emile to hike back to Blanchisseuse (about a 3.5 hour hike). We then travelled back with the fishermen in their boat. Luckily (because this time I had to hold onto both boys myself), going back with the waves was a lot smoother then the trip there.

The fishermen preparing the boat for the outing.

Samuel, Jesse and Tom all ready for the ride.

Tom holding on tight to Claudia during the ride.

Us holding on tight to the boys. They're loving it at this stage, as you can see. It was a bumpy ride but the guy driving at the back was phenomenal. He navigated the waves just like they were roads he'd been driving his whole life.

A few bumps and splashes in and the boys aren't quite as keen anymore. Nor were we, to be honest.

Cathederal Rock - just off Paria Beach.

Almost there but still holding on tight. Here we're entering the Paria River.

Yay, we made it!

Setting up camp on the secluded and unpopulated Paria Beach. Lovely.

With the beach to ourselves I guess it doesn't matter how silly you look, does it now Sarah?

Cricket time.

Family time - off to the falls.

Sarah's "slippers" (as they're known in Trinidad) wanting to make a head start towards the falls.

The trek along the Paria River to the falls. Here it looks like easy walking but it got progressively muddier and muddier, such that we had to give up on wearing our slippers. After a while you have to wade through the river anyway.

Walking up the river towards the falls.

There they are.

Setting up camp by the falls.

Reluctantly returning to shore.

Hannah and Sarah head off on the hike back to Blanchisseuse with Emile and Omar.

Emile heading out onto a point where these guys saw us pass by on the boat. We saw them waving from the boat. It made the boys' day!

We're the white dot behind the rocks.

Believe it or not, that's us.

The trek home.

Officially back in Blanchisseuse.