Hiji Falls

Last weekend we were feeling motivated so decided to head up north to Hiji Falls, which is up near Okuma. I have been wanting to do this waterfall hike for a while now and thought it might be too hard with a small child, however after reading about other people who have done this walk with small children, we decided to give it a go.

Basically it was 1.5 kms to the waterfall (and then another 1.5kms back) with A LOT of stairs along the way. For some reason I didn't realise there would be so many stairs, but we're on a health kick lately anyway, so it was all good exercise.

The little guy did great! Even at the point where my legs felt like jelly from all the stairs, he didn't complain. Not once. I was super proud of his effort. He ended up with an ice cream at the end as well deserved reward.

The start of many steps

Cool caterpillar

View from the bridge

So many steps

The falls

We made it!

The long walk back

This bridge wobbled

Cool critter number 2

One the way back, near the end of the walk, we stopped at the creek play area so we could have a splash, cool our feet down and rest. We saw some gorgeous coloured dragonflies and butterflies, as well as some other cool critters, which the little guy loved.
Also a warning to people scared of snakes. I saw a green one about half way to the waterfall. It wasn't a habu though. I wish I had taken a photo but I was too busy trying to keep going so the little guy wouldn't see it and want to pat it or anything.

Cooling off

Butterfly

Dragonfly

Enjoying his ice cream reward! Look at that tired face!

After our little hike, we stopped at the cafe at the entrance, which is super cute (and airconditioned!) H and I had a vegetarian indian style curry and the little guy had his chocolate ice cream. They also sold a bunch of organic and environmentally friendly products there like soaps, cleaning products as well as little gifts.