Making old things new again

 

Stories from a seasoned traveller : 

When you've travelled to a place for the first time, everything is new, and so everything is exciting. After you've travelled to a place a couple of time, you might find yourself repeating some activities, and there's a chance they lose that lustre of novelty after the second or third (or fourth) go-around. So you innovate, try a different angle, a different time of day to visit, maybe tack an extra section onto an old hike. Today, we revisited a short hike to a hidden cove with a beach that we like, Anse du Coq, but found out that it intersected a longer costal hike. Along THAT hike was another hidden cove, sans beach, with some great views, so we added an extra loop onto our hike to be able to visit both. In doing so, we are now following a new-ish trail, having to navigate a new section, and suddenly the whole experience is refreshed!

The section we visit is to Caye Plate, a protected cove with a grotto hidden under its cliffs, where the waved of the ocean crash and splash up inside. We emerge from the forest on top of the pointy limestone cliffs, rocks so sharp they feel like they could slice right through our hiking boots if we are not careful. Below, the clear turquoise waters reveal rocks and reefs, and probably lots of fish, but I am not going swimming down there! 

The point offers amazing views of the coastline, dotting with several other little bays, looking a lot like a mini version of the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland. But this is not a great place to stop for lunch, the rocks are much too sharp. Onwards!

Our new trail arm spits us back out onto the familiar trail that descends steeply onto the beach of Anse du Coq. It's a wonderfully large and sandy beach, but the sea here is rough, and the beach line by jagged rocks, so no good for swimming. But we knew this, lay down a towel under the shade of a big palm tree, pull off our hiking socks and boots, and lay down, feet in the cool sand, for lunch. 

Insert here a good long while of eating sandwiches while staring up at the wispy clouds floating in the blue sky, while we reminisce of trips past.

The rest of trail is just a slow climb along a dry-ish river bed, leading up and out of the forest, back to the road, and our car, again. Nothing new, but always enjoyable. 

Of course, we finish off the afternoon's activities with a soak in the salty water of the ocean, but opt for a new-ish Plage Moustique. We've been here more for hiking than to enjoy the waves, but the snorkeling here is way better than what we've had at Plage des Trois Islets(read : NONE). Not 10 metres into the surf, and I am already gliding through crystal-clear waters, over curly-cue seaweed, and LOOK! It's a pancake with eyeballs! (Carrelet ocellé) 

There are some very dramatic limestone formations under the water here, and the small reef fish are clustered under and around every large boulder, or crevasse in the rock. it's certainly not like swimming in the aquarium that is the Réserve Cousteau back on Guadeloupe, but this is our little pond of fish, and Mario and I stay out for quite some time, bobbing the waves and marvelling and the wildlife below us.

Back at the cabin, having our glass of rum punch and snacks with the Blep cat, we discuss the fact that tomorrow is our last full day on Marie-Galante, and we have yet to make plans. Maybe we'll hike a new trail, or perhaps re-visit an old one, but with a new twist added in for good measure. Regardless, I'm sure we'll make the most of it, and go for a swim, too.