On Saturday morning, we gathered at the office to have some breakfast before departure. Dick and I accompanied Fred in the Jeep to his own mountain, Fredberg, located in Pikin Saamaka. As we were staying for six days, we packed all our gear which resulted in quite heavy backpacks. After a two hour walk with a very steep finish up the mountain and seeing many animals such as tortoises and spidermonkeys, we had made it to the top. Dick told me to drop my bag and follow him. As he'd been to Fredberg before, he knew exactly where to find the steep granite hill from which we were able to see the green jungle touching the horizon. The scenery was like you would see in a Discovery channel documentary. In the far distance, we hear the Red Howler monkeys low trembling roars, and below us, Green-winged Macaws fly past to head back to their shelters for the night. It is definitely worth the climb! And suddenly, I feel a tear trickle behind my eyes, as I think of the immense and wholesome jungle, its bursting liveliness, and how mankind can deplete this wealth which belongs to so many. Its raw yet perfectly evolved and shaped features, its complexity and simplicity at the same time, leaves me speechless, just absorbing the breath-taking view, hoping it will never change.
This morning, we are alone, as everyone else heads back to the foot of the mountain. Miles from civilization, we decide to hike down the mountain as well, hoping to find some interesting species. We end up finding a Common Glossy Racer, which showed no aggression towards Dick as he picked it up! Dick was even able to wear the snake as a bracelet! After the long walk, we bath on top of the mountain, with the creek water collected halfway. Tomorrow, Fred returns with a new group, and his little brother, also named Stanley.
This morning, we are alone, as everyone else heads back to the foot of the mountain. Miles from civilization, we decide to hike down the mountain as well, hoping to find some interesting species. We end up finding a Common Glossy Racer, which showed no aggression towards Dick as he picked it up! Dick was even able to wear the snake as a bracelet! After the long walk, we bath on top of the mountain, with the creek water collected halfway. Tomorrow, Fred returns with a new group, and his little brother, also named Stanley.