Chapter 26
We reached a plateau, and soon the jungle opened to a clearing. By that time, my tank top was soaked with sweat. With my bikini top on underneath, I peeled off my shirt and stuffed it in my tote.
From the dense jungle emerged a stunning stepped pyramid among other scattered ruins.
“Welcome to Tzun Kaan,” Felix said.
Out came the cell phones, and people clicked pictures and took selfies in front of the temple. Mine died before I could take a pic.
Only partially excavated, weeds and vines still covered the structures. Ornate carvings in the stone with serpent motifs had stood for centuries. The edges of the structures had been softened by thousands of years of wind and rain.
No wonder nobody was out here. It was a pain in the ass to get to.
I spoke a little Spanish, and Felix told me the place was technically on private property.
I got the impression that we weren't supposed to be here.
The locals considered it taboo. One of the structures had collapsed last year when someone climbed on it.
Let's just say it wasn’t the first time blood was spilled at the temple.
After we’d seen all the sights and taken all the pictures, it was time to head back. That was fine by me.
Felix led us back into the underbrush. The journey down the slope was easier than coming up, but you had to be careful not to turn an ankle on the roots. So far, the only major trauma we had on this adventure was a few bug bites. But I kept my eyes out for snakes and anything else with fangs.
I chowed down on a protein bar on the way back and gulped some water, but paced myself. I didn't want to get a cramp. With the way this trip had been going, I kept thinking about all the things that could go wrong. I needed to stop thinking that way and just enjoy the moment.
Hot and tired, I was ready to cool off. When Vanessa said we were stopping at the cenote for a swim on the way back, I didn't put up a fight. Despite my misadventure diving earlier, swimming in an azure pool of water didn't seem threatening.
What could go wrong?
We made our way out of the jungle, drenched in sweat.
The vans were just where we left them.
We climbed inside, took our seats, and Felix cranked up the engine.
He blasted the AC, and it felt like a breath from heaven.
Felix turned the van around and headed back down the dirt road that we came in on.
Antonio followed, driving the second van.
Eventually, we turned onto the highway and drove a few miles, then turned onto another dirt road.
After a few minutes, we reached the cenote.
It connected to 300 miles of underwater caves.
Once again, this wasn't a tourist trap. We were out in the middle of nowhere. Felix pulled into a gravel parking area. This wasn't a formal parking lot. It was just a clearing off a dirt road in the jungle. No gift shop selling T-shirts.
A shiny black Escalade waited there for us. A guy leaned against the vehicle, smoking a cigarette. He tossed it to the ground and stepped on it as we pulled up.
We climbed out of the van, and Felix introduced us to Matteo. He said with pride, "He is the best cave diver in all of Mexico!”
Matteo smiled.
"Cave diving?" I said to Vanessa.
"If I told you we were doing this, you wouldn’t have come along.”
I clenched my jaw and glared at her.
“It’s just a cavern tour. We’re not going into the cave. You don't have to go. You can just swim in the cenote if you want.”
I looked at her like she was crazy.
“Matteo knows this system like the back of his hand,” Felix said.
I’d find out later it was one of the largest cave systems on the planet. There were miles and miles of caves that hadn’t yet been mapped.
"I have all the gear prepped and waiting," Matteo said. He motioned to a path that led into the jungle and down to the water.
"Lead the way," Declan said. He muttered to me. “Don’t worry. He’s a certified cave dive guide. He gets great reviews.”
“Great reviews?”
“Silas vetted him.”
It was a little sketchy. I mean, we were meeting this guy in a remote part of the jungle who was supposedly certified?
I took a deep breath and went with it. After all, Felix had led us to Tzun Kaan.
Was it worth the multi-hour trek? Meh. Maybe.
The value for a lot of these people was bragging rights.
Being able to say you went somewhere most people didn’t go.
Exclusivity. It’s the reason some people spend a million on a watch when a Casio tells the same time.
Matteo started down the trail, and Declan followed.
Felix called after us, "We will meet you back here."
He opened the door to the van and turned on the radio. Then he and the other driver both sparked up a cigarette.
Kyle and Silas kept their heads on swivels as we walked down the trail.
I was behind Silas.
Luciano was right behind me. "I'm not suggesting you go on the dive with us. But this would be an opportunity to face your fear. Put the demon in its place before it has time to fester and grow.“
He had a point, but I wasn't sold on the idea. My heartbeat elevated, and I broke out into a sweat again. This time it wasn't from the heat.
We made our way down the earthy steps, and Matteo pointed to a trail that forked off. "There is another entrance to the cave system here, but it's easier if we go this way," he said, continuing forward.
Declan took his word for it. The fork looked like it led to a pretty steep decline.
We finally reached the opening to the cave system. A nice deck had been built on the edge of the water. Steps led down to the crystal clear pool. The water was so blue it almost glowed.
All of the dive gear rested on the deck.
I figured Luciano was right. It was now or never. This time, I gave a more thorough inspection of my gear. Still, you never know when something will fail.