Bus Trip to Salt Pond, Owia
The trip to Salt Pond, Owia was another thrilling event. Owia is the second most northern point on the island. "Fancy" is the name of the most northern community. Approximately 40 of us in two buses went on this gorgeous
1 1/2 hour trip. The buses traveled along the windward coast, parallel to the Atlantic ocean. We traveled through various towns, villages and banana plantations. After leaving Georgetown, we crossed the "Dry River" which at the time had boulders and small streams of water. The drivers had to navigate quite skilfully to cross the wide river-bed. Usually, when it rains a lot and the waters from the La Soufriere Mountain come down, no traffic can cross the river for days.
The next community after Georgetown is Sandy Bay, home of the Caribs who were the first residents of St. Vincent. Owia is the next community after Sandy Bay. The roads between Georgetown and Owia were very threatening as a result of the mountainous nature of the island and the narrow roads in that part of the island. During the trip, Dr. Jim Sr. narrated some history of the island.
The Salt Pond site and overall vicinity were extremely scenic. Only pictures can describe the scenes. Try to imagine being on an elevation and looking down at a bed of rocks in shallow waters, and waves 15-20 feet high beating against the outer rocks and the water sizzling over and through the bed of rocks. Within the bed of rock are ponds of salt water where one can soak and swim short distances. One of the challenges is to get to the ponds to swim. This is difficult, because one has to step on rocks that are very sharp and pointed which can cut your feet.
There are about 200 steps that take one from the elevation to the bed of rocks. A number of members enjoyed the ponds. After swimming, everyone congregated on the elevation and enjoyed fine foods and drinks.
On the way back, the bus tour took a diversion through the Mesopotamia Valley to give us an internal view of the rich country vegetation and the interior villages. Overall, this was another wonderful day.
