After four passes by the unmarked entrance and asking a local a good 10 minutes into our trek, we confirmed that we were on the right path. However, despite having packed proper hiking shoes, we left them in the car. The path was wide, dry, and easily walked, uh, until we got to the REAL trail. It was an ankle-snapping, root-fraught, mud-slicked climb for people (dumb people like us) who were wearing flip-flops. But was it worth it? You betcha. Though it wasn't evident until 40 minutes into the hike after passing four frowning french tourists already on their way out.
This made me think of a book I've been reading a book about a woman's travels abroad. She connects with a Balinese healer who teaches her a simple meditation: "Smile with your liver." You would think the French wouldn't struggle with this meditation so much. There are times, sometimes, when a smiling loud, ugly American is welcome.
Here we are at the Belvedere overlook with Mt. Rotui and Cooks Bay in the background.
Marae, a sacred archaeological site in Belvedere
2 comments:
The French blame all ills on their poor overworked livers. Maybe that's the reason for all the frowning...
But the way in which they overwork their livers, it's good, n'est pas?
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