Today I explored the north western corner of El Valle on foot. I walked out to the El Macho waterfall, then made my way to a trail which winds up the side of the volcano following a winding river and past some Petroglyphs carved into the stone.
After the second set of Petroglyphs I continued on thinking that there was a third set thanks to my terrible map. 45 minutes later I ended up on top of the mountain at a farmers banana plantation overlooking the town, valley and the volcano walls on the opposite side.
While looking around at the plantation I heard a bird call unlike anything I have ever head before. It sounded like someone swishing around in a bathtub in a small bathroom. At first I thought someone was doing some washing nearby in a big steel tub, but then realised it was a bird call. I hunted down the odd sounding bird which had a bright yellow tail, and a beak shaped like a toucan’s but smaller and grey. It was such a strange sound which I don’t think I will forget any time soon.
After my bird hunt the farmer showed me around before pointing to a trail which trail lead back to town. I finished my hike at the thermal pools near our accommodation before we went to watch some (low exploding) fireworks for the Christmas tree burning ceremony in town.
