So here's my spoiler alert: if it's just going to make you cranky to see tropical blue waters and happy sand-filled faces, then turn back now! If not, share in our day of rest, away from the usual pressure of day to day, and catch just a glimpse of God's glory right here in Haiti - we did! Oh. And there's a picture of raw meat, too. You've been warned.
Our trip to paradise begins with a less than glamourous ride in COTP's tap-tap. It is the only working vehicle available and I am willing to travel by nearly any means necessary to get to the beach. Kirk and two of the kids are up front, and the rest of us sit in the back, jostling, bumping, and creaking, through diesel smoke, and road dust. The ride is rough, but with the open back of the tap-tap, I am able to get some great pics of the trip.
Not long into our trip, a woman walking down the road with a large load on her head motions for a ride. Kirk stops, I help her take her load down, and she climbs in. She asks if we can give her some money. I say "no" but we that we can give her a ride and conversation. She thanks us for the ride and wishes us a good day.
As we get into Cap Haitian traffic begins to thicken. Often I am grateful our vehicle is not as heavily loaded as other vehicles are! The one above was full of people in addition to bags of rice and goods. A few observant folks might also note the sign for the local Haitian beer above the tap-tap.
A filthy tidal river runs through Cap Haitian. In this picture you can see the houses built right on the riverfront. The ocean is just beyond the bend in the river.
On the bridge heading into Cap Haitian, someone has temporarily abandoned their freshly cut beef. It will continue it's journey for about another mile before it makes it to the open air market... hopefully sooner rather than later!
A view through the front window of the tap-tap of bustling Cap Haitian. Saturday morning doesn't look too much different than any time - busy, chaotic, and always interesting! I "let" Kirk drive.
Once through Cap the traffic starts to thin a bit, and we start the climb up and over the mountain. The first part is quite smooth as there are improved roads thanks to the recent Carnival (Marti Gras) celebration in Cap a couple of weeks ago. The later part is nothing short of painful. Kirk said later there were parts of the road he wasn't sure the tap-tap would make. He could have told me this when we got home instead of at the beach, but obviously we did make it!
Labadee is the spot where the cruise ships come into port and enjoy the beauty of the island. It is an exclusive fenced off area with zip lines, piles of water crafts, beaches and more! But just to the side of it runs a little road down to the ocean where small, roofed boats await local traffic. Kirk negotiats very briefly with "Titoto" and then for $50 round trip we pile into the little boat for a small open ocean excursion of our own! We are paying too much but it is worth it not to have to haggle.
Rose isn't wild about the trip and seems to think that she can't sit independently with a life jacket on, but everyone else loves the ride. The ocean sparkles with all the aquamarine favorites of blue and green while the sun glistens on the gentle waves and swells. It starts to feel a bit more like an actual trip to paradise.
We pass local fisherman and divers. Many have homemade lobster traps with pop bottle floats. This man spearfishes with googles and flippers. Later I see him carrying a prepared conch to sell.
After sailing around a couple of points the boat heads into a quiet bay. There is a yacht parked in the shallows aways from shore, along with a few other boats like ours who have carried other "getaway" folks, but the beach is still quite remotely populated.
The bay has a gentle sloping sandy beach with areas of coral farther out. An enthusiastic freshwater spring runs close to the shore creating a fast, cold river that leads into the ocean. Crabs dart between the river and ocean water and small schools of fish swim skittishly in the shallows of the beach.
It is paradise!
 |
| The girls take a snack break on the beach. |
 |
| My view from the beach. The "kids" have a fun time diverting the stream and creating new canals to the bay. |
 |
| Our peaceful bay for the day. |
Yes friends, it has been a beautiful day in paradise!
