Boiling Lake (1/27/13)

It's Sunday and we as a group have been lucky enough to be a part of the Jungle Bay family for a week now.  As it is the weekend, we get to experience some of the natural beauty this island has to offer and today we are all eagerly anticipating the hike to the boiling lake which is the second largest boiling lake in the world and one of Dominica's greatest treasures.  With all our lunches packed and with enough water we began our trek with the hour long drive to the base of the boiling lake.  To me the excitement actually began with the drive itself as the scenery associated with the drive allowed me to further understand why Dominica is known as the nature island of the Caribbean.  Along with the multiple attractions on this island, the untouched landscape and beauty is reason enough to attract tourists from everywhere.

Upon arrival to the base, those of us who wanted walking sticks were given them and while writing this blog upon completion of the hike I can honestly say that I was really really glad that I decided to take that stick for reasons which will be explained later in this blog if you keep reading :).  The hike began at a reasonable pace with fairly flat ground in the beginning, then began the never ending stairs up the mountain.  It was at this point where I required plenty of breaks to keep up, but individuals wanting to do this hike must remember to always go at their own pace as after all it's not a race instead a hike of self-accomplishment.  Once on top of the mountain, we were greeted with pineapple from our friendly guide, Brother.  It was probably the best pineapple I have ever had in my life, maybe because of sheer exhaustion or perhaps because the pineapple was really that good, honestly it was probably a bit of both.  Throughout the hike thus far, there were many areas to just stop and enjoy the endless beauty of the landscape surrounding us, and I highly suggest that people do stop to just look around.  We then headed down through the many many stairs to the valley of desolation which again was a site to remember and also the area where we all received our very own sulfur facials from the surrounding land, courtesy of Brother.  At this point we were almost there, but yet so far away, well at least it felt like it, but we had to keep going as we didn't make it this far for nothing.  It was just a little while longer till we saw the famous boiling lake of Dominica.  Half an hour later and we were finally there with the spectacular view of the lake that was literally boiling and now had a place to enjoy our lunch before beginning the trek back.  It was during the trek back that I hurt my right knee due to the multiple downhill stairs we needed to get through to get back and it was then where the walking stick became my third leg.  Although last in the group to end the trek back, I did feel a sense of accomplishment that I managed to complete this extreme hike and was rewarded at the end with a cliff jump over a gorge which was probably the most exhilarating and rewarding part of the whole hike.            

Overall this hike became more of a test of endurance, strength and will power more than anything else but definitely an experience I will cherish and take with me.  To anybody willing to take on this challenge, a hike I definitely recommend, the only advice I can give is to keep pushing yourself and never give up, as the self accomplishment you feel upon reaching the boiling lake is satisfaction enough on top of the incredible, breathtaking views of the valley of desolation and the lake itself, not to mention the hot spring and the gorge in the end with the cliff jump for all you daredevils willing to try (although I highly recommend it for everyone to at least try it, after all you only live once).  Upon completion of this hike, I am even more driven to get myself into the fittest shape possible and take on even more challenging hikes.

Pearl Martis