SARI SARI FALLS/ Happy

I'm so happy. I'm so happy that I am here with Ben, enjoying the island. That I can take time to relax, discover, nap, tan, have a simple routine, go to the beach, exercise, cook dinner with Ben, pretty much do whatever I want, etc. I thought I would post a picture with both of us- since I haven't put one up in a while. When Ben had a moment to breathe we decided to snorkel at our beach- a 20 second walk from our front door. It's kind of rocky so no one goes out there, but there is some really neat snorkeling and no urchins (for some reason I have become paranoid about these). We were able to find two starfish, hermit crabs, mating crabs, colorful fish and lots of sand dollars. It was a lot of fun. I love hanging out with Ben when we have the chance, but that will have to wait until next week because he has his first big test on monday!

Earlier this week I also went on a trip with the spouses group to Sari Sari falls. It was amazing!!! Sometimes I feels like I'm in a totally different world and maybe I am. The falls is on the other side of the island, the Atlantic side where there are huge waves. The water on our side is always super flat. The drive ended up taking two hours each way!! It was ridiculous, halfway through the drives I want to say, "Excuse me, I think I'm done with this, I don't want to drive anymore", because of all the hills and turns. I've never gotten car sick before- but i might become one who does. Luckily it was cool up in the mountains and I think it helped, plus the fall was totally worth it. The hike was took about an hour or more to get in. Everything is huge- these pictures don't do it justice because it's a jungle and the depth and height in the pictures gets ignored. It is just amazing! It's like your at Disney World, where they recreate the jungle at the animal kingdom- only astronomically better. (I feel slightly lame for even trying to compare this to Disney World, so if it is a lame comment ignore it)

Big tree on the ledge of some huge rocks covered in moss. This is one of the three rivers we had to cross. Pretty.

Huge waterfall- maybe 100-150 feet!! It had rained earlier and so it was gushing! Where I'm taking the picture was where we left our packs, and were getting drizzled on. We had to then crawl over those huge rocks. It was like a tidal wave in the pool, a friend and I tried to swim under to the fall. We only got halfway though because the water is spraying so hard, there is a current, it's super loud, and it felt like chaos. I felt like I was in a hurricane. To swim halfway my friend went first and then I followed. But halfway through I was laughing so hard because I couldn't see, and was being pushed by the current and suddenly my friend yells, "Liz, your a swimmer....SWIM". I laughed so much and had to grab her hand. It was so funny. Hahahaha. I guess you had to be there. Notice the big rocks that the people are next to?

Me in front of the waterfall. So cute.

Another river we had to cross. Look at the rocks compared to people!

Jungle. Can you see the person?

Another river we had to cross. Coming back we ran into another group of people from a cruise. It made me realize how lucky I am. I am so lucky to be a local (sort of) and be part of the island and not some random visitors, traveling with 30-40 strangers. I get to experience this everyday! Luckily our groups are only about 8-10 spouses, along with a local who gets us where we need to go- sometimes dropping us off to explore on our own or joins us to show the way.

Guess what this! A cashew!!! No wonder they are so expensive. They grown individually on a tree. The top part is the cashew with the nut inside and then the yellow is fruit that you can eat. Our driver pulled over to show them to us. During lunch my friend and I cut one up and tried to eat it. The yellow fruit part is waxy and taste slightly of sugar- it was actually kinda gross. They are really juicy and I guess people make drinks with them. We also cut the cashew and the driver jumped out of his pants (not literally) and yelled at us to wash our hands. I guess the oil in the shell can cause your skin to peel off. I don't know why he didn't mention that earlier when he gave them to us.

And finally cows..... this picture was taken from our deck. Ben had to go back to study at school and had some trouble getting out our front gate because of the cows blocking it. There were a few more that aren't in the picture.

So it's a lot of fun right now. And I thought I would update from the last couple of days. Enjoy!