Thursday, July 12, 2012

We Climbed the Peak!



Why is it that whenever people get around a something tall they want to climb up it? It's one of those facets of human nature that I both don't understand and yet feel compelled to do, so, of course, we hiked up to the top of Providencia highest mountain, called the Peak (I’m guessing it should be capitalized). The walk took us through layers of forest, from meadows and stands of palms to rainforest and to finally what seemed like an arid jungle near the summit. And you’ll never guess what? Different types of lizards lived in each area. I’ve never been in a place where so much life scattered before my every step. Brilliant blue and green lizards, tiny cream-colored anoles, and giant blue land crabs (The crabs only come out at night, and the clattering of their legs and claws sounds remarkably like those beetle creatures in the Dark Crystal.) 
This tree's roots were the trail.





And not only did we scavenge more mangos for my now customary morning mango and yogurt smoothie, but I also got the pleasure of being bitten by those horrid arboreal ants, whose bite is like getting stabbed with a hot needle. Repeatedly. Evidently, they only live on this equally unpleasant tree that is covered with spikes. A fitting symbiosis, if you ask me.  


Ants aside, the view was outstanding and the mango smoothie delicious. 

9 comments:

  1. Aww what a great shot of you and Vlad. <3 Never mind calling it an ant bite, that is in fact an INJURY SUSTAINED BY AN EXOTIC ANIMAL!! That sounds much more dangerous and daring than an ant bite.
    Hope it heals well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It didn't even leave a mark! Unlike the nasty fire ants we have in Texas. You know what I'm talking about.

      Delete
  2. Where r the pictures of the ants? ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had NO interest in stopping long enough to take their picture. The faster away from them the better!

      Delete
    2. That what ZOOM lenses are for!

      Delete
  3. oh, it's beautiful. Sounds Dreamy. What kind of foot protection were you wearing?

    Also great shot of you two:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! We took it ourselves. :) Dreamy is the perfect word to describe it. This whole island has been amazing.

      We wore close-toed shoes, which was a good plan since there was mud, slippery rocks, etc.

      Delete
  4. Yikes! Ants and trees with spikes! It all sounds so treacherous and ever so delightful, in spite of the dangerous exotic animals. Love the idea of all the layers of ecosystems and seeing all the wildlife scatter before you. Of COURSE you had to climb that mountain!
    Hope your exotic injuries heal quickly! Great photos, as usual.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The mountain rocked, but the trees with spikes seemed kind of like a downer for any kid who wanted to climb it. And the ants were ferocious, but other than that this island is pretty easy in the pain the department.

      We did discover that there are, in fact, no-see-ums here as well as mosquitos. I haven't seen any mosquitos, but the no-see-ums got me big time at the beach.

      Delete