June 14 – Climbing up to the Citadelle

After our sweltering night at the guesthouse we had a yummy breakfast.  We loaded up and set out for the town of Milot, about 12 miles from Cape Haitien (CH) by around 8am.

As we drove through Milot, we kept thinking we would eventually see the Citadelle.  The mountain peaks actually hide it until you are right at the base of the National History Park.  According to UNESCO, the area was designated as a “National History Park by presidential degree in 1978” (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/180).  The park is made up of three locations.  the Sans-Souci Place (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sans-Souci_Palace), the Citadelle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadelle_Laferri%C3%A8re) and the buildings at Ramiers (I could not find a reference to these buildings other than on the UNESCO site but I think they are up near the Citadelle).

Sans-Souci Palace

Citadelle

Buildings at Raimers

  

Once we got out of the car we were bombarded with vendors asking us if we wanted to buy one of their trinkets, hats or jewelry.  Several had small stands with woodcrafts and paintings.  Mom and I bought hats since we did not bring any.  Karen and Aunt Marsha brought their own.  I think Mandie braved the sun. J  The guys all had baseball caps on.  Uncle Mel gave them a good lookover and bought all kinds of stuff. J

We were trailed by several men trying to get us to hire them as guides.  Dad ended up talking to Charlie, who is a certified guide with UNESCO (he even had an official badge!).  So we hired Charlie and he suggested that we see the Citadelle first.

So back in the truck we piled.  We then drove about 2 miles up the mountain.  No meandering path this.  It was switchbacks and such all the way up.  I will say, it was a nicely stone-paved road.  When Mom and Dad first came to Haiti and came to the Citadelle, they walked up that 2 mile road, then climbed the 3 miles to the Citadelle!!

We arrived at the parking lot up above and were again bombarded by a whole new crowd!  This time, in addition to the trinkets and jewelry for sale, we could rent a horse to take us to the Citadelle.  I was sure the poor thing would collapse with me on it.  Not to mention that the guides walking the horses were more inclined to run the horse instead of a nice leisurely walk.  I asked my guy to please just let us walk at a steady pace and no rushing up the hill. 

All the ladies, Uncle Mel and James loaded up and off we went.  Dad, Matt and Jeff skipped the horse and walked it.  I was so impressed!!  I know for sure I would not have made it.  Not only was it a three mile walk but it was up a very steep hill!

Ok, now the path is a nice paved stone path about three feet or more across and it follows the old walking path so when the path goes straight up, so does the paved path!  The view of the valley was incredible as we climbed higher and higher!  It took close to two hours or more to ride/walk it.