In accordance with our itinerary we pay a visit to Golo Cara a sort of hilltop sanctuary with splendid views. I could've done without the Catholic iconography all over the area but, sure enough, Ruteng looks lovely from this vantage. The pastoral scene below reminded me of the cover illustration on our copy of The Hobbit at home. One last stop on our schedule. Ill weather threatens so seize the day we must. A side road off the main highway leads us down into the valley through wash outs to the trailhead at Cunca Rami (choon-cha rah-me) a famous waterfall. From here it looks massive.
Alexy leaves me in the care of two "guides", a pair of ten year old boys. Not sure what they got that a few signs couldn't provide but people need some scratch around here so they just make up jobs. Slope down is muddy and steep requiring a half hours travel before transitioning into brilliant terraced rice patties. A few river crossings later and we're at the falls.
They are indeed massive, producing a significant pool below. I'm compelled to swim though I wish I was sporting goggles. I want to explore the depths. Force of the cascade is strong, producing a formidable current at point of contact. I have to pull myself along slimy rocks to get within vicinity of the crushing torrent. Can't stand it for too long. Impact on sunburned shoulders is too painful to bear.
Sweet little jaunt topped off by fresh coconut upon return. These suckers are large, fluid inside surely enough to replace any lost under hot sun. Saddle up and roll out. Not long after we've returned to Labuan Bajo. Nice week. Only two left.
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