or: Why it’s better to wear shorts and closed shoes when exploring

One of the upsides to the lockdown being in the next stage and work for dive centres (anything in the nautical area run by the Tourism Authority are still not permitted to work) not being allowed just yet, is there is time to explore the island.

It’s possible to go out for the entire day.

No restrictions.

Except we’re not allowed on the beach.

Which is weird since all during the lockdown, I could see people on the beach from where I live and going to the supermarket.

Now though, these same beaches have yellow police tape sectioning them off.

I’m not so fussed that the beaches are closed as there are plenty of other things to see and do. The only challenge is most public toilets are on the beaches.

We set off for a drive to the south of the island, early one morning last week. By early, I’m not meaning Dive Time Early. I mean Normal Peoples’ Time Early.

We stopped at one of our favourite local places for a quick snack to eat on the road and headed to a lookout area. It was closed as it’s on the beach.

We drove a little further, through some sugar cane fields, and ended at Rochester Falls. It had been drizzling throughout the drive and we needed to get out of the car and walk a bit to the Falls themselves. In flip flops. I was wearing a long white skirt.

It could have ended in disaster yet it didn’t.

It would have been a funny story.

There’s not one.

On the walk down, we heard voices and figured there was another couple there. Turns out there were four people who were leaving the area to return to their car which we had parked next to. They assured us that it was safe to continue and so we did.

Wow!

The area is stunning. To have it all to ourselves and stand in silence, listening to the water cascading and hitting the small lake below. Observing the crystallized lava that had flowed in the area thousands of years ago now forming interlocking rocks, it’s a great reminder of how destruction can become beauty though it takes time.

Walking back up the hill, still no disaster.

Then needing the bathroom.

Disaster potential…

We drove, and drove, and drove.

Found another lookout which was considerably smaller than where we had initially planned on going however the view was still impressive. It was also  very windy. Lucky I was wearing a long skirt rather than a short one.

And still we drove.

No open bathrooms

We stopped at a community centre and we’re surprised to find it open as they are all meant to still be shut during this phase of the lockdown.

I didn’t care. 

I had a mask and they had a bathroom.

Disaster averted.

If I had been wearing shorts, a spot by the side of the road would not have been out of the question. It is quite common here and you see guys doing it all the time. Admittedly I haven’t used that bathroom since my Dad drove our family back and forth between Sydney and the Gold Coast when I was younger. He always had a target time he tried to beat and stopping at a service station to use a bathroom didn’t feature into his plans. It was the side of the road or you needed to wait until the car needed petrol.

Ahhh the Olden Days.

Good training!

But I digress…

The thing is, this isn’t the first time I’ve been inappropriately attired for some exploring of this island. It’s the third time.

The first, we ended up on a luge going downhill (obviously) with the brake between my legs and I was wearing a short skirt. Tricky to keep that under control!

The second, we hiked up a partially overgrown mountain path in flip flops.

I’d learnt, so this time I checked this time to see what I’d planned to wear would be ok. 

Next trip, I’m just going to wear shorts and closed shoes without even checking. Of course I’ll also be wearing a top!

 

Thanks to Berlin for the title to this post. Here I was thinking of Top Gun and it turns out they have a new album out. Will have to listen to that one now too.