Looking like a Toyota Used car lot.
Xterra sign tacked to a tree shows the well groomed single-track trail ready for the race next week. Here the hikers single file down the trail, with Rexplorer in the lead and Giggles bringing up the rear.
Radar Hill in the distance. Probably beckoning us to hike up there.
Taking a short break before we reach the Camacho Farm. Spicegirl taking photo, Sparky, Rexplorer, Thor looking a little surprised at something? Handy and Cutie are further down the road.
At the end of the Xterra trail, we see ducks and a turkey at the Camacho Farm.
A new fruit stand at the Camacho Farm. WonderWoman looking at the bananas. This is a popular road to the Hidden Beach, and the fruit stand is ready for the tourists.
After the farm, we continue on Talofofo Road. Chops picks up a pod of Bojobo seed. This is a seed grown on a vine. Here, shown by WonderWoman (a polished one), and Sherpa (an unpolished one), these seeds are used, together with coconut fibre, to make the handicraft called Bojobo dolls. The dolls are legendary good luck dolls that bring one Peace, Friendship, Love, and some other good fortunes. They are sold in tourist shops. Most of the dolls are now imported from the Philippines.
Orange skirted pair. Other variations of colors and events are also available.
The grueling uphill climb on Talofofo Road is part of the Xterra race. Bikers are out practicing on this road and the other trails. Altogether we meet almost twenty bikers "enjoying" an early morning ride here and on the race course. From Talofofo, we turn onto Egigi Road, then veer off onto McDick at the farm.
A sturdy wooden bridge across this brook. This is the first time we see water under the bridge. Everyone stops to enjoy this pond.
Continuing on McDick Trail, part of the race course.
Exiting McDick, we come to the driveway of the Guerrero farm as we walk through the gate. Here Spicegirl has to restrain Boy as there are several dogs at the farm. Sherpa, WonderWoman, and Giggles wait for the right time to walk through this private property.
We come upon the large vegetable farm extending over several acres. Sparky and Ewok are very impressed with the ripen eggplants crop ready for harvesting. It probably reminds them of their favorite eggplant shrimp dish at Poon's Restaurant.
Rows of neatly planted tomatoes, lettuce, and green onions are well tended by the farmers.
Two young bikers are practicing on the trail.
Rexplorer, Giggles, Chops, Ewok, Thor and Sparky leaving the HoChiMin trail and entering the Bananarama trail.
Another surprise of an actual babbling brook, flowing under this bridge. The heavy rainy season must have contributed to this rare little gem.
Sherpa catches up with the group, following the sign into Bananarama.
Banana blossoms and the covers scattered on the ground. Right after the bananarama trail is a clearing under a big mango tree. This is our usual snack ground. Giggle's donuts and cinnamon rolls are a big hit, other snacks and fruit soon disappear into hungry mouths.
Several bikers come through, including our Belle from Gold's Gym. A good photo op with Ewok.
We find animal bones scattered on the trail.
We lose the first group of early retirees. Rexplorer, Giggles, Ewok, and WonderWoman pick up the car parked earlier at the entrance of the old Japanese Field Hospital. They have hiked 5.25 miles.
At the top of Egigi Road, at about the 6 mile point, Cutie's sister Akiko is waiting to pick up the second group of retirees, Handy and Cutie. While waiting for Handy to catch up, the waiting group rests at this bus stop, and take this beautiful group photo. Peeking from the window are the smiling faces of Cutie, Chops, Thor, and Sparky. Relaxing on the bench are Akiko, Spicegirl with Boy, Sherpa, and Capt. Charlie.
Here comes Handy. After he and Cutie take off, we are six people and one dog. We continue on Isa Road. This is the tough part as we have to watch out for cars, road construction, and under the full sun.
This abandoned house used to be one of the fine homes. Trees and shrubs are quickly overtaking the property.
Boy is so very thirsty. He slurps up half a bottle of water and more. Spicegirl feels better with hiking sandals on her sore feet. This last stretch of the hike is pretty tough, taking us down the main Isa Drive, through the government offices, chicken farm and finally on Savana Road, which fortunately is fairly shaded.
We end the hike at 8.23 miles, and 4.5 hours. It is a workout hike for us, once a year, to experience part of the Xterra Race course. Although it is not an adventure, it is nevertheless a good way to see the part of our island that is not opened to the public. It is rated a four sneaker hike which we will repeat next year!
No comments:
Post a Comment