Barbara in Barbados – Days 2 & 3

Day 3- This was the most unexpected day.  We got up to go to a 6am hike at Hackertons Cliff. Regenna and Warren London and I got up and took our snacks ( trail mix, grapes, apples, water, and a few Little Debbie Oatmeal pies for Warren).  It all started out so well, we got there right on time as they were explaining the different hikes.  We opted for the Stop and Stare.  We figured it would be a nice easy hike, we could STOP and Stare and take some pictures along the way.  It was listed as a 3 hour hike.  It started out very nicely, we walked through some wooded areas that were very beautiful. Then we walked past some houses and moved to where the fun really started.  We entered a very wooded area that didn’t seem that different from the other area we just left.  About an hour into the Barbados forest we all started to wonder what was happening.  This was no ordinary hike.  We were climbing up what seemed to be mini cliffs.  Not what we had in mind.  Well, there were several times we all were stopped and joked that the guide must be lost.  We were right.  We were lost in the Barbados forest for about 3 hours.
                Working out in a gym doesn’t quite prepare you for climbing up rocks, grabbing vines and maneuvering around trees with ants and slugs. I felt about as close to Survivor or Lost as I would ever be.  The other 39 people on the hike were just as befuddled as I was about why we were lost.  Were there markers we should have seen?  Of course there were.  I don’t hike. I mean I walk trails sometimes but really hike, no.  I really didn’t know what to expect or know what to look for. I thought that was why we had a guide.
                About 3 hours after realizing that we were indeed lost we made it to what looked like the top of a pit.  Regenna’s husband Warren was a life saver for the hike.  He made sure that we had assistance and helped us in the steep areas.  I was pulling on a stick several times  that he held out to me to be sure I made it up some of the steep paths. Did I mention I don’t hike? Well, we made it to the pit and one of the guys helping the guide tried to convince me it was easy to get out and to the top. At that point I would have done just about anything to get out of that hole.  It was beautiful in the forest, woods, it wasn’t quite a jungle but it was as close to a jungle I would see. But I definitely wanted out.  He helped us all out with a smile and in the typical Bajan accent, “Wasn’t that easy.”  Hell no.  It wasn’t easy…it was a trip.
                When I came up out of the hole we walked over to an area to rest atop of a beautiful cliff.  It was breathtaking. But that was not even close to the end of the hike. We still had another hour to go.
My body was aching; we were now back in the 80+ degree weather of Barbados and still clueless about how to get to the car.  We all bombarded a local store owner for water, Powerade and Banks Beer (a local favorite) to help us on the next hour leg of our trip.
                At one point when we were nestled quietly in the forest waiting to find out which way we were going, I was standing very still and quiet with my eyes closed.  Regenna asked me if I was okay.  I told her I was praying.  She asked if I was worried.  I told her no, I was simply praying my prayers of affirmation.  I thanked God for the safety of all the hikers. I thanked God for the wisdom of the guide. I thanked God for keeping the hikers calm. I had a few more prayers for God. I am continuing to pray at all times, prayers of gratitude help me remember that am at all times a blessed child of God.                Regenna and I discussed what could be the lesson in being Lost in Barbados. I don’t know for sure but I am sure that being in the moment and knowing that I would be divinely protected had to be somewhere among the things I learned and experienced on my three hour hike that was six hours while I was visiting Barbados.
                After our hike we were all EXHAUSTED.  We came home, showered and slept the afternoon away. We woke up and Geno cooked flying fish, rice and peas, mashed potatoes and salad.  Yummy.  Flying fish is native to the island and it was DELICIOUS! We just lazied (real word?) around the house all afternoon.  My feet and body are so sore.  See some of the pictures.