La Aurora

road trip out to Cascadas Magicas. the water falls Organized at the Hotel -Paraiso Huatulco - Alejandro (alex) was our tour guide and driver. He was very good.

Cascadas Magicas is a foothill destination. Leafy foothill country laced with rivers, springs gurgling through sylvan, vine hung woodland, rich with birds mammals and butterflies. the headwaters of the Rio Copalita where you first hike a forest trail and then climb passing a gorgeous procession of Bubbling aqua blue cascades magical waterfall. (moon guide book Oaxaca)

Our first stop was at a roadside home where they had anteaters, everyone piles out for pics...much like in Cuba when we visited the farm and they had some of the animals of the region. They also had a parakeet.

Alejandro said that we were going up the Madonna Hill to a natural spring. 500 m elevation. The road we were following was an old trail in use for 9,000 yrs, caves in the area.

the Copalita river is named for the Copalita tree which is a Mexican tree that produces a sap that is used for incense for over 2,500 yrs. this sap was used as incense in pre Hispanic rituals. maybe protium copal?? there are a couple of trees with common name of copal.

Road side dwellings were pretty primitive, much like Cuba. stretcher block, open sides, kitchens, hammocks, chairs, metal roofs. some stores with the coca cola signs....it was interesting to see how many american products are sold in Mexico. For a country wanting to put up a wall they seem to want to sell an awful lot of stuff there.

the tall tree i believe is the Ceiba tree. another type of central american tree sacred to the mayan. they were very tall and straight with smooth green bark.Read more