We decided to get away (really away) to a tiny island in the Caribbean. These days it is hard to escape crowds in the Caribbean, but you can here. It is a small speck of an island, the top of an inactive volcano, actually. It measures about 1.5 miles across in both directions. Why is it unspoiled? Probably from the lack of any real beaches, there are a couple on the island but they are either transitory or small/manmade. However, it makes up for the lack of beaches with great hiking, scuba/snorkeling (mostly from boat) and an utter lack of crowds.
First of all, to get here you fly from St Maarten on a small plane for a short trip. Then you fly straight at the island for far too long before they turn 90 degrees at the last possible minute to land on the shortest commercial runway in the world. To say it is sketchy is an understatement. This picture is the plane heading toward the cliffs at pretty close range, just before the turn. Was a smooth ride and landing though. Very good pilots.
We’ve done two solid hikes (Mt Scenery pictures below) since we’ve arrived and have a few more on our list. I’m not sure Tom is excited about the longest of them but he will go anyway. :) Being the top of a volcano, it is very very steep, challenging terrain. And even though we live at a high altitude, I think our advantage is taken away by the heat and humidity here. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and well worth the effort to climb up!
Now, some pictures.
First of all, to get here you fly from St Maarten on a small plane for a short trip. Then you fly straight at the island for far too long before they turn 90 degrees at the last possible minute to land on the shortest commercial runway in the world. To say it is sketchy is an understatement. This picture is the plane heading toward the cliffs at pretty close range, just before the turn. Was a smooth ride and landing though. Very good pilots.
We’ve done two solid hikes (Mt Scenery pictures below) since we’ve arrived and have a few more on our list. I’m not sure Tom is excited about the longest of them but he will go anyway. :) Being the top of a volcano, it is very very steep, challenging terrain. And even though we live at a high altitude, I think our advantage is taken away by the heat and humidity here. It’s breathtakingly beautiful and well worth the effort to climb up!
Now, some pictures.
Breakfast our first day below. All the houses are white with green shutters and red roofs.
When I say all, I mean all. It’s actually very charming.
Chickens on the Mt Scenery trail. This path was straight up, it was actually pretty difficult. Took about 50 minutes but the summit is a cloud forest and true to its name, was socked in. We only got peeks of sun. Tons of wild goats and chickens on this island!
One of the few times the clouds (sort of) parted while we were we up there!
Tom heading up the trail in a spot that had steps. They did not make it any easier!
View of Windwardside below. This was about halfway up the hike.
All in all it was a beautiful hike. Well worth the effort. Take plenty of water and the path gets missy and slick up near the top. So good footwear and poles if you are more comfortable with them! Enjoy!
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