Mt. Liamigua Hike

We had an alarm set for 7:00 so we had plenty of time to get ready and eat a little something before our 8:30 pick-up for our guided hike of Mt. Liamigua Mt. Liamigua is a stratovolcano that last erupted 1,800 years ago. It rises to the height of 3,792 feet making it the highest peak in the Leeward Islands and one of the highest in the Caribbean islands. The hike is to the rim of the volcano (not the summit or highest peak) where we would get a view of the crater and crater lake.

We had gone to the express grocery store across the street from our hotel last night and picked up some Naked Smoothie drinks, banana bread, and an apple turnover for breakfast. It was the perfect amount of substance in advance of the hike. We were told we would be picked up at 8:30 so we got their promptly at 8:25. A few minutes later another gentlemen came out and said he was going on the hike as well. His name was Mike and he was from Long Island, NY and he was probably in his late 50’s early 60’s. I think Tom and I could tell almost immediately that Mike was a quirky kind of fellow. He was carrying a plastic grocery bag with a couple bottles of water and some snacks. I think he was planning on taking that bag with him on the hike. There is no way he could have carried that with the type of hike this was. I was so glad I had remembered to pack my camelback (not a real Camelback, but one that works just like it). We discovered that Mike just likes to talk and talk, and repeat himself. He even liked to talk as someone else was already starting a story. He didn’t seem to have the social awareness that it wasn’t his turn to talk.

The driver and guide were a half hour late and showed up at 9:00. I was happy to learn that it was just going to the 3 of us on the hike, plus our guide Jay. The drive to the trailhead took about 35 minutes and it was along the main island road that we have previously driven. We learned that our guide, Jay, was just 17 years old and that he has been a guide since last April, but since that time has hiked the trail almost every day. You aren’t required to have a guide to hike the trail as it is well marked and worn, but Tom and I were happy that we had him. He didn’t really point out anything specific, it was just a comfort feeling to have someone with us who was so familiar with the trail. The only wildlife we saw was one sole hummingbird. I heard it before I saw it, but I was too slow with my phone to get a picture of it.

I had read in advance that this would be a strenuous hike and had given Tom the choice if he wanted to do it or hang back and relax at the resort. He said he was up for the challenge. I would say it certainly wasn’t an easy hike. It’s very doable but certainly one that takes some concentrated effort. There are many areas that have wicked tree roots and the last part was climbing up a very rocky path. The ascent was strenuous, but the descent felt more unsafe then the way up. We definitely felt it in our knees! In addition to the terrain challenges, it was raining which made the trail extremely muddy and slick. I was wearing my trail running shoes that were actually perfect and had good traction and grip. Tom was wearing his regular tennis shoes and he was slipping in the mud. I watched Mike (who was wearing regular tennis shoes as well) slip and fall a couple of times with the mud as well. Don’t worry nobody got hurt and we all made it up and back with no injuries or accidents!

When we finally got to the top it was raining pretty good and the view was clouded. We stayed and rested for about 20 minutes and took a bunch of pictures. I died on the inside when Mike asked where the volcano was. I told him he was standing on the rim of it and he was looking into the crater. During our time up top it did stop raining for a bit. The clouds cleared slightly, but not enough to get a really good clear view. Several other guided groups and individual hikers passed us on our way up and back down. Some of the tour groups had walking sticks. We were a little disappointed that the company we went with didn’t provide them, although sometimes I think it was easier not having one so I had both hands available to climb. I was happy that we were the smallest of the guided groups though. I think the largest group we saw had over 10 people in it!

All-in-all I enjoyed the challenge of the hike. Was the view at the top spectacular? No not really, but in this case I think it was more about the journey than the destination. We both feel accomplished, albeit sore. I will say that I liked the hike I did in Panama with Vicente and Peyton more, and that was mostly for the stunning views that we were treated to at the top.

Back at the van we drank some Gatorade and ate some potato chips (provided by the tour) before we headed back to the Marriot. It started to rain on the way back to the hotel, but a rainbow appeared. Our driver had told us that it had been raining on and off throughout the day. I didn’t mind hiking in the rain (except for the mud) and I guess I would rather hike in the rain than sit on the beach in the rain.

Once back I took the shoes down to the foot wash station at the beach to wash all the mud off. It came off pretty easy, although Tom’s white/grey tennis shoes are no longer that color. After showering, Tom proceeded to get into bed to take a well deserved nap, while I headed out to finally walk the beach right in front of the hotel. There were no treasures to be found, but I was pleasantly surprised that the beach stretched on for a bit around the corner which makes for a decent walk. The sun was setting and more rain clouds were coming in, so I picked up the pace on my way back so I wouldn’t get drenched again. I made it back with it just misting.

For dinner we drove down to The Strip, which is a street lined with a bunch of bars and restaurants. It is not far from the hotel, but since we were pretty tired from the days hike and the chance of more rain, we did not feel up to any more walking. We decided to go into a place called The Sommelier. We discovered it was a tapas restaurant. I wasn’t in the mood for just tapas, so we ordered a drink and just one tapas of calamari as an appetizer before we would go somewhere else. Much like other places on the island the service was so slow. We were there for over an hour! The drinks were excellent, and so was the calamari when it finally arrived . . . we just wish it hadn’t taken so long. We asked for our check right away and left to go a couple of places down to Boozies. Here we shared a chicken Caesar salad and mahi mahi dinner. I thought the fish was really good and I really liked the sauce. The salad was not terrible, but nothing special. By the time we finally left the strip it was almost 10:00. We should both hopefully sleep great tonight!!

Stats of the Day

Steps: 11,430
Hours to Complete The Hike: 6
Number of Times Mike Has Been to Aruba: 15
Number of Hikes Mike Has Done Before Today: 0
Mike’s Shoe Size: 12
Mike’s Son Shoe Size: 13
Amount Mike Has Invested In The Stock Market: $900K