Month: August 2022

Hike to the Avocat Falls

/ Denise / 4 Comments

I discovered the Avocat Falls two years ago during the Covid lockdown.  Even though we were forbidden to visit any water sources, beaches or otherwise, the outdoors beckoned, and my husband and I ventured to this quiet part of our rainforest to soak in a bit of nature.  I was enamoured with the silence of the forest, the magnificent roar of the waterfall and the clear clean water filling the many pools we crossed as we made our way down to the mouth of the Marianne River.

Getting to the Avocat Falls

The Avocat village is located off the Arima Blanchisseuse road, and you can trek to the Falls the easy way (20-minute walk both ways) or the more scenic adventurous path (2.5-hour turnaround).  And well I am sure you can easily guess that we took the longer route.

Since then, this hike has become our go-to when looking for a ‘quick’ outdoor fix.  It begins with a 15-minute uphill climb through the lushness of the rain forest.  The birds are always nearby calling out to each other and the sound of the river fades at you move further away.  The descent into the river is gentle and you are soon serenaded once again with the rush of the water flowing down river.

There is a slight wade through the river and a quick swim across a pool before you feast your eyes on the roaring waterfall.  What a sight to behold.  The world stops.  You are in a sacred place that nature has provided for all to enjoy.  You sit and ponder the strength and beauty of the water gushing over and thundering into the pool below.  Tempting for the brave to jump in and enjoy the cool refreshment the water brings.  Serene enough for those who just want to sit and enjoy the beauty that surrounds.

Avocat Falls

You are mesmerised and want to stay a while, and only pull yourself away because you know there is more to experience as you make your way down the river, swimming through the many pools of water, soaking up the natural rock formations, breathing in the sweet scent of the white peace lilies that line the river bank.

We have since taken many friends on this hike with us.  And always, but always, it’s a joy to see the smile on their faces.  The sheer delight in visiting one of the best waterfalls in Trinidad and Tobago.

It’s your turn now.  Go venturing.

Avocat Falls

Saving the environment …

/ Denise / 4 Comments

… one small step at a time.

I recently re-read the simple story of a young boy saving starfishes on the beach by picking them up and throwing them back into the sea. An older gentleman asked him why, when there were so many starfishes on the beach, did he think that he could make a difference.  And as he threw one more back into the ocean he said simply – “It made a difference to that starfish”.

I often wonder what difference I could possibly be making by collecting my one bag of bottles weekly and taking them to recycle.  Why do I continue cleaning up my favourite little beach when the ocean continues to bring debris from all parts of the world every single day, not to mention those indiscriminate beach goers who could care less.  Why should I go the extra mile to conserve energy by switching off unnecessary lights.  Why should I take the extra time to seek out locally grown food when I can just as easily buy foreign stuff in the supermarket all nicely wrapped in plastic.

Because, the truth is, every single small step makes a difference.

One set of bottles recycled can offset the use of precious raw materials.  One garbage bag of beach litter results in one bag less of trash floating around in the ocean harming our sea life.  A healthier electricity bill, less bulbs purchased and less energy being consumed are good reasons to turn off our lights. Helping grow our economy while limiting the use of plastics, seems good enough reasons for me.

Everything we do has a ripple effect, for better or for worse.  Your one tiny step to saving the environment will make a difference.  So go ahead and take that step.  Your grandchildren will thank you for it.