View of the setting moon at 5:50 a.m. as cc gets ready to head out.
After parking two cars at the shrine parking lot, we notice this little gift shop.
A big sign on this tall gateway welcomes all visitors. Thor, Giggles, Chops and Ewok get ready to enter. A hollow block in front of Giggles keep cars from driving beyond this point.
Giggles and Ewok stop to survey the spectacular scene of craggy cliff, caves, thick jungle overhanging the cliff, and the statue of Santa Lourdes. The building on the left keeps candles and the likes for visitors.
Santa Lourdes.
Loch Ness Monster in the jungle? Spotted on Santa Lourdes Road.
Leaving the shrine, we follow the Santa Lourdes Road towards the coast. After getting caught in a downpour that soaks us thoroughly, we take the side road to an unmarked trail. On the Saipan Atlas, this unmarked trail will lead us to the Egigi Road and the eventual return to the other two cars at the market parking lot. Chops, Thor, Ewok, and Giggles arm themselves with gloves to explore the trail.
While on the unmarked trail, we follow the obvious until we notice that the trail seems to lead to someone's house, so we veer away from it and continue until we come out to a dirt road. We are surprised that after we have turned away from the original trail we are actually on the exit end of McDick Trail and the entrance to the Guerrero home and the large farm. Chops and Ewok stop to look at the extend of the farm. With this new direction, we decide to continue onward to look for the HoChiMinh trail.
Unbeknownst to us, the farm has, since our last visit, expanded so much that the HoChiMinh Trail is obliterated. We end up in the thick jungle looking for a way to find any remnant of the original trail. There Thorp is barely visible in the thick jungle.
Ocassionally we spot a ribbon, but the trail is not there. Knowing that we have to head north to connect to Egigi, we brave the fallen trees, and soggy grounds. While leading the group through a particularly wet section of the boonies, Chops gets stung by the boonie bees, with three stings!
This little beauty of a mushroom barely escape being stepped on.
Imagine our delight when banana trees appear in front of our eyes. It is the Bananarama Trail. Soon we come to the little stream and the bridge. During dry season, the stream is calm with little water. Right now, however, we can hear the water rushing through the jungle.
The wooden bridge is in disrepair and unsafe to cross, except to step over the 4 by 6 frame. Chops is getting ready to make her crossing while Ewok and Giggles look on with skepticism. Chops makes it across with only minor scare.
Not willing to take the risk of falling through the unsafe bridge, Giggles decides to jump across the stream.
Ewok follows suit, only getting his already wet shoes a little more soaked. We continue on the Bananarama trail.
OOPS! An action shot catching Chops making a close encounter with Mother Earth! Thor finds a safer way up the hill.
A cheekful of red dirt and a little souvenir hanging from the hat, Chops reassures us that she is good to continue...
Egigi is near, and everyone is happy.
Safely on Egigi Road, we decide to park ourselves on the side of the road to enjoy our snacks. Giggles brings the monthly birthday cake, proclaiming that it is the birthday month for Sherpa-Jane. We are more than glad to celebrate long distance...
We enjoy Giggles' cake and think fondly of Sherpa. Chops contributes the paper and Ewok designs the greeting card. Happy Belated Birthday SherpaJane. Hafadai and Aloha...
Yes, we are very comfortably situated on a carpet of bamboo leaves, with not a car in sight to disturb us. Thor, Ewok, Giggles, CC, and Chops sure appreciate these island jewels.
Up Egigi toward Isa Drive.
Finally back on Isa Drive and our little bus stop. A final cooling off before heading to the cars.
It has been a very fun hike, full of surprises and adventures.
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