Rodrigues: Day 4

What do you do when you are so ashamed of your own 'flesh and blood' that you absolutely must get rid of it without delay, and not give anyone else the 'chance' to have a peep before elimination? What do you do when, the only means of getting rid of said "offspring' is by flushing it down a toilet with an empty tank that's not filling up quick enough (courtesy of a very low water pressure in the domestic water distribution)??? What do you do when the 'cable' you had been so lovingly nursing in your entrails for the last few hours is causing so much shame and panic that sweat beads are forced through the pores of your forehead!! that's the conundrum that one of our team members faced at the beginning of the day! Lucky for him, he was blessed with the powers of improvisation, and a soft 500 ml gel flask I'll let you imagine the rest

So, the plan today is to hike down from cascade pistache, to the coast at pointe pistache, and back. Rolling hills mainly with cows, sheep and goat dominating the landscape. Small detour from the intended path leads us to a small mount with gorgeous panoramic views. Another 30 mins walk and we are all the way down to the sea.

Brilliant idea from Pascal to follow the completely dry river bed upwards, which should take us back to cliff (sorry no water, it's no waterfall!!!) pistache. Added bonus is that we get to discover a different trail, in the comfort of the shade provided by the tree line, instead of baking to a crisp in the sun. Trail very similar to what we would get in the black river national park, in both vegetation and feel.

The plan was to hike all the way to the rodri jump (little more on that later) facility and use their ladder to climb up the cliff. Unfortunately, could not find a way to the ladder. The route spotted before the hike on the other side of the cliff proved unreachable as well. Another small detour and we reach the top in no time.

Time for rodri jump, which is a swing jump into the void from a suspended bridge. No one wants to accompany me though seems no one has even attempted the jump on the day! Nvm, I'm game so strapped with a full body harness, you walk on a 40 cm plank with nothing else below, but secured with a cow's tail (tech name for a rope strapped to your harness on one end, and the safety line on the other via a carabiner) sliding along a tensioned metal wire, and a metal wire hand rail on each side. Walk to the midway point of the bridge, get connected to the swing line, have the securing Carab removed, and the weight of the metal wire swing line pulls you straight off the bridge!!! the first freefall and first half of the oscillation is not that scary since you prepare yourself mentally for it. But the back swing catches you off guard for the first couple of seconds. Very fun and highly recommended

Already well past 1.30 and can't seem to find any place for lunch other than a marchand roti. That'll have to do for today!

Drive to the eastmost part of the island to catch what the guys describe at taco shaped church. The surroundings have little to offer in terms on scenic views, so we decide to go 'bat hunting' in a nature reserve close to 'baie aux huitres'. Very steep uphill hike to 'jardin mamzelle' via a 4x4 track. Bats we do see, shoot them we can't! Too far and oftentimes hiding in the trees. Sun setting and slight drizzle force us to retreat. End of the day's fun. Dinner as per attached pictures, as usual