No elephants 'ere

Pitch & Chutney: 14 May 09

Pitch Lake Beauty

Never let it be said that you starve when you do a tour with Jesse James!  This time we managed to snack our way down south to Pitch Lake.  We munched on saheena, phulourie, doubles and aloo pies, tasted unusual local fruits (pomerac) and scoffed tooth-achingly sweet barfi.  All this before our substantial roti “wrap” for lunch.  I had the chicken – with bones!, laced with channa & a potato curry filling, a little chutney and NO pepper sauce, thanks!! 

Gooey "Mother of the Lake" pitch

Despite the Pitch Lake having a reputation as a tourist non-event, it was actually quite interesting.  Rediscovered by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1595 when he needed to caulk his ships, the lake is still worked today.  Refined pitch is in fact asphalt, and its quality is said to be the best in the world, if you’re into that kind of thing.  We’re told the road in front of Buckingham Palace is paved with it, but you can’t help but wonder how they managed to load up all that black messy goo to transport it back in sailing ships.  At least they wouldn’t leak….

Pitch Lake Reflection

Our guide patiently explained the lake’s complex geology, as we poked and prodded our way around its surface.  Some parts are very soft (mother of the lake), some parts burp methane gas, others collect pools of therapeutic sulphuric water and generally it exudes mild smells of rotten eggs.  Otherwise, its pleats and folds resemble the backside of a very large elephant.  Don’t stand too long in one spot either or you’ll start to sink into its spongy mass.  Not to worry if you do, the lake manages to turn itself over every few months, so you’d be coughed up & spat out….eventually.

"Fountain of Youth" sulphur water

The photo above shows the ghastly green and warm (but very good for you) waters of the lake.  The masses come to bathe in it.  Remedy for all ailments so we were told.  Even said to be the fountain of youth.

So our GS is waiting for these therapeutic properties of the lake’s fountain of youth to kick in.  And waiting. Still waiting.

Not working yet?  Oh well...