Saut d'Acomat, Slacklines, and a Piano

The time in Tikazalou was punctured by beautiful little moments, excursions in between, places that we went to. Places that were simply beautiful and which I would like to write about (and go back again).

One day after diving we went to a small waterfall known as "Saut d'Acomat". It's a small spot in the jungle where the water collects in a pool of deep turquoise waters next to a big waterfall. The rocks surrounding it are nice and flat and some of them go quite high and the pool is deep enough that you can cliff jump from the rocks. We just spend a short time there, after diving one is usually quite tired but the short time was worth it, jumping into the deep blue looking surreal below is a good memory that fills me with a smile. Just practicing a few backflips and enjoying the cold water.

Another day we went to Bouillante. Bouillante is a special place, because in Bouillante there is a geothermal power plant and the water that it produces as a by product is close to boiling and they simply let it go out into the sea after using it for generating power. This means that there is a beach and a stretch of sea where the water temperature is close to that of a hot tub, where the hot water of the power plant mixes with the salty cold water of the sea creating something of a "natural" spectacle. The water is so warm it's almost uncomfortable and the brain doesn't really want to process it. When you jump in for the first time your brain is expecting the sea to be cold and then it somehow isn't. The feeling is a bit surreal.

What's even better though, is that there is a group of people that hangs out at the pier just nearby. Every Wednesday and Friday they prepare a few slack lines that go across the sea. You can literally practice slack lining over a giant hot tub in the sea. And there are lots of other beautiful young and attractive people around doing the same. Chugging beers, listening to good music, enjoying their time. It's a bit of a crazy place.

Watching the sunset from there, falling into the warm water because you lost your balance on the slack line, then going back up onto the pier, cuddling with a cute dog that somebody brought, then holding the hand of a beautiful stranger who goes onto the slack line and needs a little help because they are practicing it. This is a completely different way of life and getting to meet people.

Though it feels a bit awkward, like there is a "core" group of people who are there every other day, who know each other well and are also extremely good at slack lining. It feels awkward because it feels like one is intruding into "their" territory, into their social circles, into their place and something primal goes off in the brain, asking, wtf are you doing here? Even though this is a bit of an illusion, a mistaken belief, a wrong feeling, because the people are nice and friendly and welcoming to outsiders. But still the awkwardness lingers for a little bit. It's just there.

The other thing about Tikazalou that fills me with happiness is that the father of Lou, has a small artists studio nearby.

It's a small space, filled with art, paintings, sculptures, wood carvings, and odd curiosities. But the best part to me is the beautiful old piano that sits right in the middle of the whole space. Tuned, in good shape, and I am allowed to play it whenever I want. Something that I miss a lot when traveling is being able to play the piano and having access to a piano this close to the place where I am staying is such a big privilege that I can't even put it into words.

Whenever I have time, I go and see if the artists studio is open and then I sit down and play for a little while. One evening there was even a small group of other musicians there, with a guitar, a base, and some drums and the memory of playing together with other people in a small jazzy jam session is one of my happiest memories of the whole stay in Tikazalou.

A beautiful little detail of staying in Tikazalou is the house cat going by the name of Baboo. Shes an orange little tiger, and wants to cuddle all the time. Jumping up onto peoples laps, just sitting there, waiting to be petted. And just look at those eyes? How can you no find it cute?

Sometimes Baboo is falling asleep while you cuddle her. Something about sitting on a couch, listening to good music, with a cat on your lap makes life complete and I love small, cozy situations like this. They are usually something that I miss when traveling because on the road one usually doesn't take the time necessary to enjoy these beautiful but essential moments of quietness.