A Perfect Beach Day at Playa Cacaluta, Huatulco

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.

El Sazon: Abimael's new restaurant in Santa Cruz, Huatulco

 

 

 

People who live in the Huatulco area will recognize the young man above.  It's a small town after all. That's Abimael, a former student from UMAR Huatulco, who has opened his first restaurant in Santa Cruz, El Sazon.  Restaurants in Santa Cruz tend to be a bit higher priced than downtown.  Customers are basically paying for that picturesque table right on the beach but for a lot of people, especially those with children, those beach restaurants are not an option, at least not every day.   El Sazon is a comida corrida restaurant, offering quality meals at reasonable prices.

For those whose Spanish is even worse than mine, I think (never trust my Spanish) "comida corrida" translates as fast food but not the McDonald's kind.  It's more like an all-inclusive set menu lunch, the sort that fine dining restaurants offer during promotional festivals but cheaper.

Here we are descending on Santa Cruz from downtown.



That's Hotel Castillo on the right, almost directly opposite La Seva.

 

Here's the new Holiday Inn on the left.  El Sazon is just up ahead.

 

There you are.  You've found it.  As a bonus, this alley offers shade all day long which is perfect for people in need of a break from the sun.

Abimael opens bright and early so if you're in a hurry to hit the sand and want to eat a full breakfast later, bring your travel mug and he'll send you off with some fresh organic coffee direct from Pluma Hidalgo.  

Graduation UMAR Huatulco 2015: Superstars

Part One
Tourism administration.

I'd heard about the graduation ceremony on Friday and I wanted to be there to say goodbye to these people, many of whom I may never see again.  I showed up at 9AM because I didn't have my facts straight.  There wasn't a soul around.  The 9:00 ceremony was for Puerto Angel.  Oh well.  It got me out the door in the morning. I forgot to bring a tie on the first trip.

Here we are.  4 PM.  People.  Yay.

 With my little camera, I knew better than to try to capture people on stage. 

The best shots were to be had outdoors.  The men were looking sharp and the ladies were completely stunning.   I kept the camera clicking steadily but still didn't manage to get everybody.  People cleared out so quickly.  Some of the people I remember on stage were never seen again.  I'm sure they're alright.  There were dinner reservations and parties to prepare for.

There he is.  The first person I ran into outside the door.  Edwin.  Way to go, buddy.

Edelma and Guillermo.

Eduardo

 



Yvette

 

Brianda

 

Dulce

 

Jessica

Here's a power trio of positive energy and high achievement.

Brianda, Jessica, and Sarah.  Wait. Isn't somebody missing?

There she is, the missing member of the girl gang, looking like a total movie star, Aracely.

 

One of those blurry shots that is still too good to discard.  Eliomar (not confident about the spelling) and Anahi in the background.

 

Hilario and two proud supporters.

Sometimes I intrude on other people's moments like a walking photo bomb.

I clipped Allelly out of the group shot because her eyes were half closed.  Fortunately Isis had the presence of mind to remind me to take two shots.  Between the two, I got all three ladies. 

Top:  Allelly             Bottom:  Brenda and Isis 

Yay.  Margerite.  Some of her friends dropped out of school along the way but she kept on going and here she is. 

 

 

Gerardo

Another intrusion

Cecilia finished the English program two years ago.

Ana Luz.  There was another shot with the teacher but he looked so goofy, I had to delete it.

This rock star lost time due to a serious motorcycle accident but he got back on his feet and still graduated on time.  Unstoppable!

I met Adolpho way back in his first year

Yadira (spelling?)

 

Very sharp looking couple.   Feliciano and Anajely

Yay.  Yasmine or is it Jasmine? 

Monica

 

Ilce doesn't get her diploma for another two years but it's a forgone conclusion for this high achiever who has already passed all levels (with high grades) in the English program.

 

These are all such great people.  I hope they'll always consider themselves part of the UMAR community.  They won't be forgotten.  

 

I regret I didn't move fast enough through the crowd to capture everybody.