Hiking on Rodrigues

Rodrigues coastline is often rugged - reef show in the background

Hiking group having lunch near end of a long hike down a rocky riverbed

Many lovely beaches along the coast. Always windy, however, as evidenced by the tree in the foreground!

Carol surveying the drying octopus skins

Local fisherwomen cleaning the day's catch

Hiking on Rodrigues

June 15 2016

Rodrigues is well known for its excellent hiking trails so we want to make sure that we try at least some of them. There are eight major trails that are all well marked. ( That is not to say that no one has gotten lost occasionally.) There is a map with directions to the trail head, length, and time to walk it, and which bus to take to get there. Generally you take a bus uphill and walk down. Other tourists that we have met are usually from France or Mauritius. It is much cooler here than we have been in the last few months which makes for pleasant walking. We even have the blankets out again.

Last Thursday, the ninth, we did the trail that followed the coast on the east side. We left town at 10 and were back about 3. It was pretty straight forward except for some scrambling over rocks and climbing a few cliffs. The wind was howling that day. It reminded us of a UK coastline in winter. Bob and Alicia had done the same hike earlier in the week and carried on further along the coast. But as Rob's arthritis was acting up that day, we took an earlier bus back.

On Sunday, the 12th, we had a bigger group of people from eight different boats, out from 8:30 to 4:30. This hike went further up into the hills and then followed the river valley down to the coast. There was a lot of hopping from rock to rock involved. It was more rigorous than some had expected.  Fortunately, we are finally past the wobbly sea legs days. More great views on this trek. There were some unique birds flying around the cliffs. Near the anchorage the noisiest birds come out at sunset in the shoreline trees, along with bats.

Bob and Alicia are the most avid hikers and have been out three more times for the full day. Then they have helped guide afterwards. Last night, we had a happy hour out on an exposed piece of coral behind the boats. Laura, age 11, on Mares, a Swiss boat, organized it all. She cleaned up the "island" and put up some decor from the available debris. Then she took their dinghy to each boat to invite people. It was a challenge to paddle across the shallow coral and return in the dark and wind, but fun to do. We have had dinner a few times in town. Tonight, many of the cruisers are meeting to have sushi prepared just for us at a local restaurant. The chef's specialty from a previous job, apparently.