Enjoying the water at the base of Kopinang Falls
sections , using my hands to creep down . There was a plateau halfway down the slope where the trees disappeared , and Kopinang Falls came into view . I paused to gaze at the sheer white water curtain draped over the sandstone staircase . At the base , its beauty became more imposing . I was an ant again , feeling the chilly spray pushing me away . The water ’ s constant hush beckoned me under the cascade to feel its embrace . The cold water relaxed away the fatigue of the gruelling hike , gradually replacing it with a sense of satisfaction . I felt like a champion enjoying their prize after a long battle . This was the Kopinang adventure ’ s crescendo .
The climb back to camp was challenging , but it felt much shorter than the descent . Maybe it was . The ropes were invaluable because some sections were too slippery to find sure footing . As I followed the group back to camp , I could feel the end of the journey nearing . The golden sunset signalled the start of the last night in Kopinang .
Night at the camp was an otherworldly experience . While sitting at the camp lookout point , no light pollution meant a vivid moon and stars painted in the sky like a perfect star map . Night-scented orchids gave the air a slight vanilla perfume . The loudest noise was the waterfall . I was experiencing a scene better than anything I ’ d ever read in a storybook . A thick fog soon covered the view and the mountainside , forcing me back to the camp . The wind chill made me shiver under two layers of clothes , so I joined the group around the fire for dinner .
Everyone shared stories around the campfire , a fitting way to end an eventful day . I could see my breath joining the fog around us as I talked . Sleepiness inevitably sent everyone to their hammocks . Kopinang Falls ’ constant hush made falling asleep easy .
Sunrise at the campsite was almost as magical as the night . The remnants of the fog lingered among the trees . The birds and insects returned life to the forest soundscape . It felt like farewell music as we packed up our things to leave . We had our breakfast and started the long journey back to the village . I was headed home , and my heart was heavy . I wasn ’ t homesick . Instead , I wasn ’ t ready to say goodbye . All I could think of was the spectrum of emotions the adventure made me feel . One word can ’ t describe my experience at Kopinang . Nevertheless , the best I could come up with was “ absolute enchantment .”
20 | TOURISM GUYANA 2024