Well I’m long overdue to write about our final day on the trail.
This final day is somewhat anti-climactic. It’s across the most dry, flat, and uninteresting part of the island. The full path along the coast, according to what we heard, went past the airport and had little to offer in terms of scenery. The shorter path through “town” wasn’t any more interesting, but was at least, shorter.
Morning started out nice, though, with some time enjoying the farm animals.
We got on the trail, hiked through a small forest, the across this red-sand basin.
But after this, it started to get hot. Dry. Sun beating down on us. No shade.
And so. It was time. To pull out the umbrella hat.
I could write a whole separate post with my thoughts on rain gear for hiking. But for now, let’s just say I think that the trusty umbrella has a lot going for it. And based on some online research, I’d bought a $10 umbrella hat to have for on hand in case of drizzle.
And I just want to say, the umbrella hat is AWESOME for sun protection. It’s amazing.
First, it provides so much more shade than a typical hiking/safari hat. But even better than that is how it sits up off your head. While it was hot, there were some nice ocean breezes. And that wind could travel through the gap between my head and the hat, keeping me cool.
You just have to not mind looking like a total dweeb.
After awhile we made it to lunch, at another neighborhood natural pool. I can’t remember if we swam at this one? Did we eat? I can’t recall.
After that? Hot. Boring. Long. Nothing of interest.
Time was moving, really, really, really, really slow.
We made it to the airport. Megan’s blisters were getting worse, so we called a cab for her to get back to the hostel.
I kept on walking so I could say that I’d circled the whole island. But there was really no reason and nothing of note.
And eventually I made it back to the beginning! After a shower it was time to head out for a celebratory dinner. Where did we eat? I can’t remember. I think it was Sunday and a lot of things were closed…I seem to recall going to a mediocre pub for beer and pizza.
But oh was it nice to feel clean and satisfied from the journey!
Now on to more adventures!
elizabeth lindau 
Never ever had heard of an umbrella hat, but there it is! And yes, it’s very dweeby. I fear what the consequences would have been, had I appeared in one up on the beach at my vacation home in hunter/fisher/snowmobiler Grand Marais, but perfect if you’re somewhere, where you won’t see anyone from that place ever again! Haha.
Have you ever read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? You seem like someone who might have. If not, it might be an interesting read for you. I just finished it, a second time. The first, as my barely post-hippie self back in 1975. Lots here about observation while traveling (hiking, motorcycling). Being in the moment regardless how “boring” the surroundings, be they endless forests, commercial areas through town, foggy stretches along the coast, etc. Quite down to earth. Sometimes literally. Lots philosophical about teaching: ordering, making things understandable (both negatives in the author’s view) and the premises and expectations of Western culture in contrast to the East (the author was stationed for a couple years in Korea). Since you have experienced the East, the book may speak to you on various fronts. It took me a while to be comfortable with the book this time, but once engaged it was hard to put down. It left me thinking about things again as I haven’t for years – since I decided that certain questions had no answers and certiain inquiry paths were just intellectual exercises that spun in circles and led nowhere. Actually, much like what the author experienced.
Your “faithful blog reader,” Pat
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