The Malena Waterfalls

There are some water falls near malena and Kees and i had ponly visited the first one. Our student Rob however, visited all of them, persuaded a localguy to improve the path along the water falls and has taken tourists to this place, who all came back very enthusiastic. So it was about time that I had a look for myself.

I have seen some water falls, but these ones are really nice!
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanagertourism)

Isra is de local guide from malena and he also models in these pictures. During the trip he also gives a helping hand when the trail gets slippery or steep. During most of the time, you walk through water and over rocks overgrown with ferns and mosses. There are a few places where these rocks are slippery. Occasionally you can hold on to young palm trees or lianas for support (just like Tarzan) and the steepest part now has a hand rail for support.

I had decided to go on my hiking boots, even though I expected that I might get wet feet. And indeed, at some places the watewas just a wee bit too deep. But no blisters becasue the walk is not that long ad the shoes are that good. At the third waterfall, I took my shoes off to take a refreshing dip in the pools. But one could go one step further, to the top of the waterfall that drops into these third pools. Climbing up the rocks along a liana. Isra did the whole walk on his bare feet and somehow did not even get a scratch. He also managed to climb a few guabo trees (inga spp.) to get the last ice cream beans. These are large podsthat contain a pulp that tastes like vanilla ice cream.

Isra’s enthusiasm is another good point of this trip. He still enjoys swimming in th epools and diving from the highest waterfall into the pool below and his enthusiasm is contagious. But not quite contagious enough to persuade me to dive too. Yes, there is a deep bit in which you can safely plunge, but that is surrounded by shallows that do not look quite as safe. Somehow, somewhere between my 10th and my 41st birthday my fear of an accident got stronger than my faith that all would end well. But going back along the rocks looked pretty scary too. In the end I carefully climbed two thirds down the waterfall and then jumped, into the deep bit.

The current in the pool is just strong enough to make it a light exercise pool. You can stay in place by swimming against the current at a slow to medium pace. Swim a bit faster and you easily reach the waterfall where you can have a natural and relaxing back massage.