A Natural Waterslide

Mt. Carmel Falls - home to some beautiful scenery, fresh water and a natural water-slide   We decided it was about time we ventured back up there and try out the slippery rocks again. (Sorry, Mom!) So we bused into town to begin the usually wild bus ride up to the falls on the curvy, hilly roads.  I was disappointed.  It was NOT a wild bus ride.  It was a very tame bus ride.  Too tame in fact.  We estimated that our average speed was approximately 25 miles per hour.  There were cars and buses passing us constantly.  We discussed the slow speed between ourselves, secretly hoping to be overheard....to no avail.  As we approached our destination, a woman who had recently gotten on the bus remarked, "Driver, how ya drivin' slow so?"  He replied something to the effect that he wanted to save gas, because he didn't have money to buy any right now.  (And at approximately $17.00 EC/ gallon who can blame him!)  The woman replied that he could take everyone's bus fare now and stop and buy some.  Needless to say he sped up some and I was wondering if I had said something earlier if it would've had the same effect.  We finally arrived at our destination, very safe and sound....and slightly behind schedule!

This is the actual Mt. Carmel Falls, but obviously not  the one we slid down!
There are a number of smaller falls nearby.

We were met by some men at the entrance to the falls, eager to take the "entrance fee" of $2.50.  This time we didn't argue, we just paid and told them we didn't need a guide to get down to the falls.

Side-note:  Last time I was there, we didn't pay the "entrance fee" which is typically for tourists, and not for Grenada residents.  But that was the same time we got held up by a masked, cutlass-wielding man, so we decided to be on the safe side this time and pay the fee, without much discussion!  This was the first time I had been back since then, and I thought myself much more prepared with an {basically} empty wallet and some well-thought through scenarios of various fight or flight plans. :)

We had a very uneventful but fun time sliding down the slippery rocks into the pool of water below.  It was a drizzly sort of morning, which made for a somewhat cold time, but after awhile the sun started to come out and warm things up.

First you slide down here....

Then you slide down here!

Some fun times with these lovely ladies!