Back to Civ. continued

Another highlight of the trek was a side trip to a huge waterfall. We rappelled down the rock cliffs to swim in pools under the waterfall and to feel it crashing down on us, then scaled our way back up.

One morning before starting out, we went to a small place where the process of making coca paste was shown to us. This is what all the campesinos in the area did before the government came and took out all the plants and helped the people to get going with cocoa, coffee and tourism. They would grow the coca plants and produce the paste and sell it to the cartels who would process and export it.

Our fun and simpatico group from 5 Eur. & 3 S. Amer. countries plus Aussies and Canadians was just a delight. The guides spoke no English so all information was done in translation with a team effort.

We will hopefully close out the coastal portion of our trip tomorrow with a flight inland, but we have heard there will be a general transport strike to protest the condition of the roads in this area from all the rain and landslides. Since the airport is 40 min. away, we could be in trouble. Stay tuned.