Places to hike in Trinidad: La Foret Bay

Remember when I told y'all my three favorite hikes were Rio Seco, Turure Water Steps and Mermaid Pool (in that order)? I did say that was subject to change didn't I? Well, it has.
My top three favorite hikes are now Rio Seco, La Foret Bay and Turure Water Steps.
Yes, La Foret Bay has managed to knock the gorgeous Turure Water Steps down to third place and completely shove Mermaid Pool out of the top three.
*waves at Mermaid Pool as it fades into the distant place that is number four*
A hike has to come real good to touch Rio Seco in that number one position. Reaaaaalll good.
La Foret comes close though. Photos do not do the place any justice.

La Foret means 'the forest' and it is also called Forest Point Bay. Situated in the north-eastern village of Toco, it's a long journey just to get to the start of the hike trail that will lead you to this beautiful, secluded beach.
Toco is a three hour drive from where I live in Port of Spain. So we set out at approximately 8:30 am and didn't get to Toco until after 11:00 am. Granted, we made a few stops on the way for gas and ice and whatnot.
We parked at Saline Bay and started our hike from there.
Now this next part might be confusing. Hell, it confused me.
Saline Bay is apparently different from Salybia beach. Although they are both located in Salybia.
Saline Bay is called "Sally Bay" by the villagers because, well, Trinis.
There is another beach in the area that is called Salybia Bay, which is different from Salybia Beach, I was told.
Got it? There's a Salybia Bay, a Salybia Beach and a Saline Bay (also called Sally Bay).
Phew. That gave me a headache.
Here is Saline Bay on the map.

Now the hike trail actually starts a little distance away but we left some of our companions tending to the grill on the beach, while four of us participated in the hike. Our hike leader for the day was a friend and Toco villager, familiar with all the nooks and crannies of this remote area. (shout out Charles Lovelace).

Our friendly village guide, Charles!

From Saline Bay, we crossed a small bridge and found the beginning of the trail on the right.
The trail is a pretty easy one, mostly flat with a few inclines here and there so it's easy enough for children to do.
The trail is even wide enough to drive straight to the Bay if you have a 4x4 vehicle. But where's the fun in that?
There is no shade along this trail and the sun was out in full force!
If you're gonna do this hike, slather on the sunscreen, wear a hat and have lots of water on hand!
I felt like I was walking through the fires of hell with that sun beating down on us.
One of our hikers began the hike as a reds and came out of it as a darkie. No lie.
When he took his vest off, you could see the outline of the vest on his body as all his uncovered body parts were practically baked.
Anyway, you follow the trail until you reach the ocean. There are several forks in the trail which I was told lead you to different parts of the Bay. So it doesn't matter which one you take. We stuck to the main trail though.
The main trail will take you about 30 to 40 minutes to hike, and the distance from where we started to the Bay was just about 2.5 miles (4 km).
The distinguishing feature of La Foret Bay is the boulders out in the sea, some large enough to climb on.

   

                               

It's no exhausting feat to climb these rocks, but be careful as it's extremely windy and a strong gust could send you careening over the edge to almost certain death.
The Bay is wide, there is no lack of areas to bathe, to stroll, to scribble in the sand.
There are even a couple nooks where you can relax or canoodle unseen.
But y'all...Y'ALL!!!
The most amazing thing is the "fat pork" bushes that grow all over the area.
Fat pork is the Caribbean name for the fruit of the Chrysobalanus Icaco plant.
It is also called cocoplum or paradise plum in some cultures.
I grew up eating fat pork but haven't seen or tasted one in years.
These bushes were just growing wildly all over the area.
And they were laden with pink, juicy, sweet fruit.

Naturally, I ate my fill and took home a few...a few dozen.
Sea grapes are also growing all over La Foret Bay. It was the first time I tasted one...didn't like it.

Almond trees, too, are in abundance there.
We spent a while at La Foret Bay picking fat pork, eating fat pork, scribbling in the sand, climbing boulders and twerking on boulders.
Yes, I have a thing for twerking everywhere I go these days. Don't judge me.

If you can't twerk on a rock in the sea, where can you twerk?

Anyway, La Foret is such a gorgeous place but, sadly, not untainted by humans.
As Trinis are wont to do, they littered even this beautiful beach behind God's back.
Hell, there were alcohol bottles and snack wrappers ON TOP of the boulders.
How does one climb a boulder out in the sea and manage to leave filth there?
Do better, Trinis.
We left La Foret around 2:00 pm to begin the trek back to our waiting companions and our food because by that time we were famished. The food was good.

I had intended to drive up to the Toco Lighthouse afterwards, it was just 2 km or so away, but we were having so much fun, we lost track of time and then hurried to get out of Toco before it got dark.
I'm not sure I'll be going back to La Foret in a hurry. It's just too goddamn far. But I came, I saw, and I will remember it as one of the most beautiful places in Trinidad.

Length: 5 miles (8 km) from Saline Bay to La Foret Bay and back.
Terrain: Wide dirt trail, mostly flat, few gentle inclines.
Time: About 30 - 40 minutes one way.

Got any ideas of scenic places to walk or hike to? Comment any suggestions down below!