March 23 - Volcano Safari

On the penultimate day of our vacation, I decided to take a 4x4 excursion through the dormant volcano that makes up Tahiti Nui or the biggest volcanic massif on the island of Tahiti. This was, without a doubt, the most extended physical torture and never wracking experience I have ever experienced. I’m glad Marg decided to skip this excursion because I sure she would have been physically sick.

For six and half hours we drove up and down two thousand metre mountains with ten to twenty degree inclines using cow paths not wider than the width of the 4x4’s axile. Usually, the only barrier separating us from a three hundred metre plunge to our certain death was a growth of ferns. These cow paths had so many deep potholes that Ottawa drivers should be ashamed for complaining about their roads. The 4x4 had little suspension left and each pothole, which occurred every other second, sent bone jarring shocks throughout your entire body.

I would have hated every moment of this excursion except it had “THE MOST AMAZING SCENERY I HAVE EVERY WITHNESSED!”

The volcanic edifice that surrounds the central crater is made up of several large mountains that hold the rain within the valley, which produces a lush rain forest.

Our trip started by a leisurely climb through the east side of the island. We should have know we were heading into the jungles, when we stopped to let a convoy of French soldiers pass. They had been in the valley on jungle warfare exercises. Along the way, our guide pointed out the various plants and trees that make up the rain forest.

We stopped at river crossing, where two young fathers were playing with their very young children in the water.  Apon closer examination, the water was filled with multiple mountain eels. The children didn’t seem the least bit scared of these long slimy creatures.

The climb at this point started getting very steep.

As you can imagine the rain forest is very hot an oppressively humid. Eventually after about an hour, we stopped at a small river crossing, where I was able to take a short swim to cool off. The rocks were very slippery, and I took a couple of tumbles onto my butt.

We then descended to the crater floor, where we had lunch. The was a tremendous view of the valley and mountain pass we had just used to gain access to the crater.

For the rest of the afternoon, we were treated to some spectacular scenery as we made our way west to the ocean.

With all the bone crushing jarring on this trip, I was very glad to return to the resort. I immediately joined Marg with a drink in the newly opened infinity pool.