The Ladder

The View from near the top of the ladder

This week has been full of people getting the things checked off their list before class starts. Hiking Mt. Scenery, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, and this thing called The Ladder. So yesterday we did the ladder...

Here's a bit of history so you know why the ladder exists... Saba Island didn’t used to have a port and since its a very steep volcanic island they had to find a way to get supplies from the boats to the towns. The way they did this was carve roughly 800 stairs into the side of the cliff and they hauled everything up these stairs until the harbour was built. We decided to try and climb the stairs. 


As you head through town and ask for directions from the locals they laugh and shake their heads, this should have been a clue. 

You walk down the winding roads and eventually reach the sign that says the ladder. The first thing you notice is the jaw dropping view. Then after catching your breath you notice the crazy steps, they are uneven and more like two steps wide than one and you realize what an adventure you are in for. 

The top of the steps, these ones are actually
pretty even compared to the later ones.

Custom's House view

The descent was pretty easy but it got pretty slippery at some points when the steps were covered by the trees and there was moss. There was gorgeous greenery around the trail, lots of ferns and big leafy trees. There were also tons of little Saban lizards and a few land crabs.

Halfway down there was an old abandoned customs house which has a window that looks over the whole bay. Apparently from the customs house you can find the vanishing beach, sometimes there is a sandy beach but sometimes the sand has all washed away from the rocks. All of the rocks at the bottom were round volcanic rocks, it was a great free pedicure.

Customs House View: you can see diamond rock in the upper
right corner, which has amazing dives

We eventually reached the bottom and could let our shaky legs rest. It didn't take us long to start heading for the water. It was so clear and blue, you could see everything!

We went for a snorkel and saw so many fish! We were pretty far away from the reef and yet there was amazing diversity, even a barracuda just cruising the area. If more of us had gear we could have swam out to the reef, maybe next time if I can bring myself to challenge the ladder again.

Sign at the customs house telling about the history, the
picture is from 1934 I think.

Tomorrow a bunch of us are heading out with Sea Saba to go snorkel on the reef and I will definitely be bringing my waterproof camera.

Overall it was a major challenge but it was so worth it, what a beautiful eden and I get to live here. I can't wait to do some more exploring!

Anyways heres some more pictures... enjoy!