Tonite was the first of two nites in our creepy Casa. My room only had one light in the ceiling and no bedside lamp. In strange places I try to keep a small light on as I've had experiences with mice in China, roaches in The Philippines, or lizards in Malaysia and Indonesia. I tried to sleep with the light on and cover my face but I couldnt sleep.

If I turned the light off the room was pitch black and I dont know what comes out in the dark. I opened the shutters and it brought some light from the hallway. Eventually I got some sleep.

In the morning I was in the shower and just heard loud banging from the front door. I didnt know if this was a wake up call asking what time we wanted breakfast or was the house with tourists being broken into? It was a bit odd and the loud banging and yelling went on for some time.

Turns out one of the ladies from our group had double bolted the front door so the staff couldnt get in to make breakfast. We had fruits, cake, and egg.

Today was our freeday and the group had decided to visit a waterfall and sugar plantation. Entrance to the waterfall was $10P and it was a 3.6km trek each way.

We passed a wasp colony where we had to keep quiet, woodpecker markings, turmite colonies, and saw a glimpse of the national bird.

Eventually we made it to the waterfall which wasnt that impressive but something for the island to be proud of. Some dived in for a swim. I dipped my feet and tiny fish came by out of curiousity but wouldnt take a bite.

Leaving we walked back the 3.6km. Coming early we beat the heat and arriving crowds. We drove thru fertile valleys to the sugar plantation.

Entrance was $1P. There was a watchtower to watch over slaves and ring a bell if they tried to escape. The slaves were brought from Africa and planted a large sacred tree whose twirling flowers were said to protect over them.

There were remains of the buildings where the sugar was turned into syrup. Over time the land has been over exhausted causing a collapse of the sugar industry.

A reservoir was built to collect water and feed the slaves. Far from having cramped conditions the slaves lived in one room dorms. They were encouraged to find a mate and have children to get their own private family room. They produced more workers and was no cost to the owners as slaves grew their own food.

We then saw the owners house which was under restoration. Due to lack of funds and materials as well as a slow work culture this will take several years.

We could only go in the entrance room as the others were under work or covered in mouse or bird droppings.

We drove to a more touristy plantation to see a restored home being used as a restaurant. There was sugar cane juice for $1P which gave me an instant energy bolt in the lazy heat. There is also a tourist steam train we opted not to go on.

This plantation had a much taller watchtower you could climb for $1P. I didnt want to in the heat and am not comfortable with heights in open exposed areas as it was just a ladder to each level.

Behind the home was an original wheel used by donkeys to turn round while slaves would feed the sugar canes inside. It was an interesting look into early economic life and the lives of slaves.