I Went Swimming in a Waterfall!

(Namuang Waterfall)

We have Saturdays off, so last week Jill, Ali, Josh and I went to visit Namuang waterfall. It was a 15 minute taxi ride then 35 minutes of trekking through a combination of the forest and hot concrete roads, all going steeply uphill. Well, it took us 45 minutes because we stopped for some nice chilled coconuts on the way. :)

(another view of the waterfall)

It was nice just to get out and go for a walk. The forest was amazing! We stood and just listened to the life in it for a while. When you really listen, the world is certainly not quiet. There's just so much going on!

(glancing back from the base of the waterfall)

After walking all the way in the tropical heat, it was wonderful to just jump into the pool at the base of the waterfall. The water was so cold and refreshing! We could even swim right up to the waterfall itself and feel the power of the rushing water. Surrounded by the forest and in the splendor of the waterfall itself, this is defitnitely one experience I'll be thinking about for a long time!

(right before we jumped in)

My friends were smart, they brought rubber and hiking shoes. I had no idea I was going to be doing anything of this sort, so I was prepared for beach life in my new Ipanema sandals (mine are green). At least they had straps on the back. Anyway, I was really surprised when we got back and I inspected my sandals to find that there was barely a scuff mark on them. Good job, Ipanema!