Oh! We've just come back to the village from the most amazing experience! During the sunset we were meandering on a dirt road that runs upstream along the river, wandering at the boulders here and the amazing power of water and time to shape things. (People too!) We crossed a little stone bridge spanning a waterfall and saw a wooden sign painted 'The Mango Tree" alongside a small path. Following the path (no wider than a cow path) through a large field of banana trees, huge bunches of them hanging into the path and us ducking under and around them. Arriving then at a widening in the path and a sign asking 'Please remove Shoos'. After this a narrow stone path with random candles alongside, opening up to a wide terrace with a kitchen hut on the left butting up against a MASSIVE tree, the Mango Tree. We were greeted by friendly fellows who we could hear singing as we had approached who invited us to choose a seat. The terrace dropped down over the hillside into a few different platforms, all stone, maybe 4 feet seperating them with each step having 2 or 3 small tables positioned to overlook a fabulous bend in the river with the now set sun casting mango colored light into the clouds all around. Behind the tables were grass mats to sit upon. Amazing, yes? Beyond the spectacular view and the cathedral beauty of the namesake tree, there was suspended from the mango a swing. With the gathering dark I couldn't even see where the ropes dissappeared into the canopy, but the seat itself was made so well I climbed on and was given a push right into heaven, it seems. To feel myself swinging weightless toward the most picturesque beauty I have ever laid eyes on, to see the river between my toes, and the wind in my hair like that, Oh I am dancing with the thought of it! Everyone was so friendly and the food was amazing! Probably the best I've eaten! Washing it down with a hot cup of mint tea, (with a squeeze of lemon :) the wall behind my back is at the perfect angle, (about 60degrees) to lean back and digest while giggling merrily at knowing that such a place as this exists! The path back was quite obscured, they gave us a torch to light our way, but the sky was so clear that even a fingernail moon was all the light we needed. We gave the torch to the torch man, an old man who sits at the end of the path in charge of torches, and now sit here, being eaten by mosquitoes and soon to walk home and early to bed, for we are renting bikes tomorrow to tour the ruins that are further away from the village.
Ahhhhh.......I'll write again later!
Love to all.
Crystal
