Saute Deau Bay

On Sat 28th, Nov’15 Fitness Walkers trek to Sauté D'eau Beach and waterfalls. The trek over the hills of Paramin down to Sauté D’eau Beach always creates a feeling of excitement. This hike is usually the final for the year, and the walk through the garden village of Paramin can be a pleasurable and memorable experience. It is a test of one’s fitness and although challenging the spectacular sceneries makes it enjoyable. Along the way, there is always something of interest to catch one's attention and the friendly villagers makes the journey more delightful. To the east fantastic views of Moka Golf Course, North Coast Road, Paragrant and Maraval Valley and on the west splendid views of Sauté D’eau Island, Cameron and Petit Valley. A noticeable attribute is the richness of the hills, with lush vegetable gardens of chive, pimento, thyme, pepper, tomato and cabbage. Visitors amazed by the crops growing on the steep slopes and wonder how difficult it must be to cultivate. The soothing mountain breeze at an altitude of 550 metres (1,800 feet) feels healthy and invigorating.
Paraminians are the descendants of French and Spanish Heritage and today some of the elders still converse in “Patois”. The streets along the route all have French-Creole names La Finette Road, Bella Montage Road, Lale Road, Beau Pres Road, Morne Espoire and Barre Bette Rouge. The main religion is Roman Catholic, and a significant place is the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe Bien Vini where on Carnival Sunday, there is a traditional Patois Mass. Paramin has the reputation for making the country’s best seasoning and during Christmas Season the culture of the community comes alive with the Parang Festivals.

The first part of the expedition is a 1½-hour walk through the village to the highest point in Paramin known as Barre La Vie meaning “Crows Nest or Lookout Point”. The trip continues downhill for another hour to reach the beach. The source of the Diego Martin and Blue Basin River comes from Paramin in a remote valley referred to as Mia. Residents will go to this area to picnic and enjoy the springs. The name Sauté D'eau is a French word that means "water jump" and on the eastern side of the beach a lovely cascade plunges into the sea. A statue of the patron Saint Cion acts as a guardian to the beach and although deserted once contained a fishing dockyard, a wooden shelter and a cocoa estate. A picturesque landscape opposite to the beach is Sauté D'eau Island, uninhabited and used as a bird sanctuary however to visit requires a permit from the Forestry Department. A hidden gem is to explore the watercourse of the little stream on the beach where to discover are several waterfalls. The anticipation of the steep return climb is in the minds of all the trekkers and produces a thrill like no other.