Le Morne

Friday was another great family day.
Viv has arranged for a boat trip to a remote beach. We have to be at La Gollette at 9 sharp. We are heading to the south-west of the island near Chamarel. The district is Black River. This is a mysterious part of the island where we never ventured when we lived here.
For a start, it was too inaccessible. The roads were just tracks and no one had cars anyway.
Secondly, it was a frightening place. It was where the African slaves would escape to, and where they went when they became free people. It was a place associated with voodoo and witch craft. It was an ungodly place.
Today it is still poor. Lining the road on the way we drove past a corrugated iron collection of shacks. In La Gollette it is noticeable that there are many more black people.
We find our boats, somewhat later than nine o'clock, and set off. First stop a patch of new coral to snorkel over. The blue and purple tips showing that they live. All sorts of brightly coloured fish weave their way between the coral antlers.
Then a beach barbecue for lunch. Plenty of food and rum and we all have a great time. There are about twenty six of us all together. It takes some organising. Well done Viv.
Another little swim and back to base after an exhausting day. I sleep for a hour before out again for dinner, then a Sega show and off to bed. Tomorrow is an even bigger family day.