Taurama on the 29th of July. (sorry for the delay in posting)

A Big Thank You goes to CO whom has provided a walk report and photo from the walk recently to Taurama. It was a walk I was unable to attend but it sounds like a good one. This was the first of two walks that included PMV rides in which I have missed, but maybe one day...

Like any bush walking Sunday, we woke up early and headed over to the Ela beach hotel to meet with the rest of the walkers.

Fifteen minutes after, it looked like there were just four, and possibly another couple in the car who showed up for the walk. As we were about to make our way to the Yacht Club, another fellow walker arrived. Shortly close to eight, the rest of the walkers drove into the car park. Before we know it, there were ten of us and we were back in business.

As we were approaching the Taurama hill, we were greeted by beaming kids from the neighboring village. Some looked excited to see us but others waved shyly as we were near.

It was an almost perfect day: the early part of the morning started off a tad ominous with the gunmetal grey sky and looming dark clouds. But that soon cleared up and all we had to fight off is the intermittent gusting wind as we ascent. It didn’t take long to warm up the cold muscles and at the first stop, we caught a glimpse of the city from atop.

As we trudged along the foot path on the side of the hill, we finally reached the half way mark with names etched on the bark of a tree. Many islands and sights are visible where we were standing: the Pyramid Point, Manubada (aka Local) and Loloata islands, to name a few. Nestled between the hills and the sea, many of us were just contented to pause and soak in the spectacular view.

The parched vegetation soon gave way to a few Aloe Vera looking plants. Just off the edge of the hill, we spotted a couple of what resembled cylindrical tanks. Upon closer observation, these were actually gun encasements used during the war. Undeniably, where we were standing, it was a good vantage point to spot enemy warships from miles away.

Moving along, we were told that it’s downhill from here on! The trip down was quick and relatively easy. Being annoyingly cautious, every step I took was slow and deliberate. Even though the pair of runners wasn’t the best of shoes for this terrain, I can safely declare that I much prefer the suffering of a climb with firmed footing than slippery, sliding steps with little grip.

As we were descending, the sun peeped through the clouds and it took about 20 minutes before we reach the barrack compound. Mango trees abound but alas it wasn’t the season yet. If you are a lover of most tropical fruits, just like me, the thought of plucking the juicy and fragrant mangoes off the trees is enough incentive to send me running in full speed down the hill.

After a few minutes rest, we decided to head towards the bus stop where we catch the PMV out of the Barrack. Lucky for us, the bus was in waiting and 50 toea poorer and ten minutes later, we alighted at the POM Grammar School. The ride had saved us the sweat and time on the dreary asphalt.

All in all, it was a relatively leisure but enjoyable walk. The view more than compensated for the impending soreness from the climb. Borrowing from the MasterCard tagline, the first ride on the PMV is ‘priceless’. After all, it’s not any given Sunday where a non local gets to hop on one without much hesitation.

We started off uncertain of what’s in store for this walk but we returned with anticipation for the next adventure.