Quite often those who are not familiar with
Haiti have the impression that Haiti is nothing more than a hurricane and earthquake-plagued disaster zone. But in reality Haiti is actually quite a beautiful country. Back in the seventies and early eighties, Haiti was a regular destination for cruise liners and resort-goers. In fact, Haiti was long called the "Pearl of the Antilles" for its beautiful beaches, forests, and friendly population. In the 1700s and 1800s, Haiti was actually the most prosperous of all the Caribbean colonies. The mid-eighties saw the beginning of thirty years of political instability and economic decline capped by the disastrous earthquake in 2010. But, here and there, the old Haiti, the Pearl of Antilles, shows its colors. One such place is the seasonal lake called "Twou Kayiman" or "Crocodile Hole." While the Crocodile Hole no longer has crocs, it does have migratory birds including a colony of beautiful pink flamingos. We made our second trip to see the flamingos a few weeks ago in very old and very leaky boat. In fact, each boat needs a staff of two: one to push the boat with a pole and another to bail out the leaking water. Those willing to risk getting wet are rewarded with a extraordinary view of the surrounding mountains and the gently waving reeds of the lake. We hope to be able to take some smaller visiting teams to Twou Kayiman. Maybe if you visit, you will be one of the lucky ones!
No comments:
Post a Comment