Chincona Gardens has not changed that much but what has changed, is the road from Mavis Bank to get there. For that has deteriorated badly since the last time we traversed it. Its a shame, for the scenery along that route is so breathtaking.
Those were the thoughts that crowded my head as 19 of us from Fun and thrills Adventure club wended way slowly up through the dangerous circuit of break aways and potholes on our way to St.Peter’s from where we would hike to Cinchona.
I had been to Cinchona many years before but via Westphalia and Halls Delight and this way via Clydesdale seemed steeper to me but just as scenic as the vast colourful mountains loomed protectively around us all the way while the lush green flora and fresh cool mountain air took all tiredness that thought of creeping in, away. So despite the steepness, the two and half hour trek was not all that tiring
At Cinchona itself we had snacks and messed around, taking in the beauty of the trees from eucalyptus to cinchona trees (from which quinine was made to treat malaria in the olden days)and the colourful ferns, lilies cannas etc . We also explored the two Bamboo walks with their velvety moss floor.
As we hung around, we saw a lone white man hiking towards us. As usual, Charles in his hospitable style, started to question him and we soon discovered that he was from Montreal and this was the twelfth country he was travelling around by all means possible. He had come up from Mavis bank on the back of a bike for $500 and hiked to Cinchona. This was after hiking up to the Blue Mountain Peak the day before. We offered him water and food and soon he was one of us, gratefully accepting the offer of a ride back to Kingston.
On the way back, we stopped at a small stream and waterfall just above Clydesdayle but only after my freezing toe told my brain to resist any effort to put any more of my body into that icebox.
I retreated but Charles, Howie, Thomas the Canadian guy Jeff and Lisa were not as timid however and all seemed to have a whale of a time.
On our return to St. Peters wer were grateful that Charles had had the foresight to order red peas soup, one with fish base and the other with chicken, for the weary hikers.
We headed back around 3pm but took instead the route via Silver Hill, and Section to Newcastle, a far less treacherous corridor than via the Content, Mount Lebanon side.
It had been a really fabulous day interspersed by discussions on every subject but mainly homosexuality, while the photographers, professional and point and shooters, had a field day.
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