Jacmel Day 2: Bassin Bleu
Breakfast at the Cyvadier, Jacmel, Haiti
Our second day in Jacmel, we awoke, had breakfast, bid adieu to the Cyvadier, and headed in the direction of Bassin Bleu, a hidden grotto located in the hills above the city of Jacmel. We took the van as far as we could, picking up Emille and Denis (two of our Haitian friends and employees of FHM) along the way, and then hiked the rest of the way to Bassin Bleu, accompanied by a few local guides.
Although I was aware that we would be hiking, I was completely unaware of the adventure upon which we were to embark. We set out with our backpacks filled with zaboka (avocado), fromage (cheese), and mamba (peanut butter), and our towels.
Let the hiking begin!
The hike was more educational than I had anticipated. We were walking with a few local Haitian guides, who were as intent on learning English as we were learning Creole. As we walked, they would continuously point to everything along the way and say the name of each thing in Creole, wanting us to repeat the name in English. But the educational part of the hike wasn’t all words. Perhaps the most lasting knowledge that we acquired included a few reasons why the Haitians are so fond of motos and one possible reason for carrying belongings on top of one’s head…
…Motos can cross rivers without flooding…
Note the "motocrossing" in front of Genevieve, Julie, and Shilpa
…Carrying your belongings atop your head keeps them from getting wet when crossing a river…
When in Haiti, do as the Haitians...
By the way, arguably my biggest fear is entering into water that is not clear enough for me to see my feet.
The guides helping Julie cross a waterway
And I learned how to repel down the side of a rock…
Repelling down the rocks...
…Which was definitely worth it when I saw what lay ahead at the bottom…
Bassin Bleu!
Taking a break for lunch
All the girls...Kathy, Julie, Julia, Shilpa, Missy, Hannah, and Genevieve at Bassin Bleu
Interesting Julia. I have been following you on google earth and you have gone from near the northern shore of the island to the southern shore of the island. Looks like a couple of pretty good size rivers to cross. I love you, Dad