I haven't been to Cacaluta for a few years. It isn't the quickest and easiest beach to get to when I feel the need to swim but it's worth the trip on special occasions like Rowena's birthday. I don't know how old she is but she's still quite young.
There's a sign at the trailhead with dos and don'ts, some of which shouldn't be necessary, like don't leave your trash behind, but you'd be surprised. One of them is a recommendation to only enter the woods in a group. While you probably wouldn't be attacked, there are wild animals in there and a lone person is much more tempting prey. I've come across packs of wild dogs myself. They didn't attack or even growl but it might have been a different story if I'd been alone. There are snakes, crocodiles (or alligators, I'm not sure) several species of snakes and wildcats.
A few years back, I came across a young couple, tired, hot, dehydrated and completely shaken, stumbling along the road from the trail. There were on vacation from Mexico City and had wanted to visit the site of "Y tu mama tambien". They hadn't packed enough water. However much you think you're going to need, double it. This unfortunate pair hadn't even made it to the beach when they'd been chased by an aggressive giant snake, probably a python. They can grow to an intimidating size, length and width.
After a 25 minute hike through the forest, the beach is always a welcome sight.
A friend had told me that morning that the beach had been steep on the previous day but that had been on the other end. It couldn't have been much better on Saturday for us.
Life doesn't really get much better than this.
Here's our birthday girl, sitting with Lupita.
These two daredevils decided to jump off the rocks. I declined.
Just so nobody puts this on their to-do list, look at how close they came to hitting rocks beneath the surface. It's also worth mentioning that you can't get a cellphone signal at Cacaluta and the beach is usually deserted. Your best option, if you suffer a debilitating injury, would be to wait for a tour boat and signal for help. Wave your arms and scream loudly.
Will, Romeo and I took the big swim to the rock island. It was Romeo's idea and I didn't jump at the idea at first. I was concerned about cross currents but a passing tour boat operator who knew what he was talking about, convinced us that the currents ran deep below and wouldn't affect us unless we were diving.
You have to approach the rock beach with caution. The only way to do it is to crab walk backwards. When a wave comes, plunk your bum down and hang on tight. Move in between the waves. Don't try to stand on the wet rocks and move slowly on the dry ones because they're not stable.
The waves make a beautiful cracking sound when they shake the rocks but it sounds a bit sinister, like breaking bones, when you're trying to move on or off the beach. Will gives a good demonstration of how to do it on the video.
Good times. It was the sort of day when you have so much fun, you don't even realize how busy you were until you feel your aching muscles the next day.
Finally, for those who have never seen Y Tu Mamá También ,
someone has posted the scene where they wake up and discover the beach they've been looking for for the first time.
