As the anchorage in Providencia filled up, we joined a group of people on an early morning hike to one of the interior peaks of the island, el pico. The trail was well marked and dotted with signage about the local flora and fauna. One of the most valuable species to the residents is the brown land crab used for food. They close the main road around the island during the crabs' migration period.
The hike was 1.5 hrs mostly upwards and a nice, rugged workout. We were glad we started early.
Mark noted that it's been many months since he has walked on land - literally!
The views from the top were amazing with a 360* landscape of the island and its surrounding reefs. We could see Reach among the 20 or so boats in the anchorage. The clear blue waters inside the barrier reef were calling to our sweaty bodies for a swim.
Besides the cute horse we nuzzled on the way back, we heard & saw doves and frogs and plenty of skittering lizards.
Then a bright blue streak caught our eye and we saw the species of blue lizard that we'd noticed on one of the wall paintings.
After the 1 hr walk back down, Mark & I passed a local artisan honey-making facility and got attacked by a few stray bees. Running the last several yards away from the mini-swarm, we hopped into the truck with the rest of the crew.
It was such a nice group of people to share the morning with, so we lingered back in town to have a special Easter holiday lunch called rondon. It was nap-inducing platter with fish, conch, pigtail and an assortment of starches (yam, yucca, plantain, dumpling) covered in a rich coconut gravy.
