Leaving the Yucatan

With a certain amount of sadness we had to leave Paradise and return home to Texas to have some medical problems tended to. But we want to mention one particularly lovely spot that we stayed overnight at on the way back from Quintana Roo. Right vefore reaching Escarcega, there is a little town called El Centenario. It is right on a new portion of the road(186) and on the left side, well marked, named "Las Papapas". The entrance is through a gated little road that goes back about a block to a beautiful manicured lawn and a little restaurant surrounded by huge trees and sitting on the shores of a lovely lake. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon watching the many beautiful birds and water fowl. Across the lake were the boats being poled by the fishermen using nets. Lots of peacocks, turkeys, etc. wondering thru. They fed us dinner down by the lake. We camped free of charge in their front yard along with another couple in a small van. There was lots of room. The food was delicious and we ate breakfast the next morning hoping to compensate for spending the night there. The hosts were most gracious.

Xel-Ha

We finally made it to Xel-ha today! Such a beautiful water park. It is actually an underground river that emerges from the limestone and flows out into an incoming salt water lagoon and flows out to sea. There were hundreds of people but it is meant for crowds and there were excellent facilities. 5 restaurants and 3 bars and lockers and bathrooms and snorkel gear all over the park. We tanked up first with a delicious buffet breakfast, got our gear and then entered the water at the beginning of the river. We began with their double innertube floats but quickly decided that it was too cumbersome and you couldn't snorkel on that big thing! We quickly disposed of it and enjoyed the gentle current in the lagoon to explore the underwater world. After about an hour and ahalf, we were ready for a break so we warmed up a bit in the sun and went to lunch later. Once again, delicious food, then we found the hammocks and snoozed out for about an hour. Ice cream helped get us going and we went down to the entrance from the sea to check out the floating bridge. They were doing the snuba walks down by the bridge and the fish there were just incredible. Pop and I walked over the floating, heaving water bridge to snorkel from the other side. There was a "cave" on the other side that was nothing compared to the ones at Excaret so we snorkled back across and saw all the huge fish under the bridge. Saw one huge grouper, lots of tuna looking fish, big Jack Crevalles, and a world of snappers. We crawled out on the other side and decided it was time to head out.

It has been another wonderful day with a new experience under our belt. We should sleep well tonight.

Sunday

Here it is another Sunday in beautiful PaaMul. No matter how many mornings we have had here, I love to get up early and drink my Mexican coffee that our sweet neighbor brought to us. with real cream and raw sugar...yum. The orioles are constantly flitting among the trees and the birds are all singing early in the day. I hate to think of leaving but we must be on our way in only 2 more weeks. One of our neighbors just bought one of the beautiful palapas that was for sale here. They are so thrilled and invited us over to see it this morning. I'm envious as it is so lovely. May they enjoy it for many years to come. We had dinner at Gringo Dave's again this evening with Pat and Doc. Always a fun place.

Had planned to go to Xel-Ha but Doc has an ear infection so will wait until it is healed before we snorkel again. The water has been turbid lately but yesterday it was quite clear on our beach here. The trip to Cozumel is on hold also. I took pics of the sea lions and manatees over at Puerto Adventuras this afternoon. Hope to have dinner in the underground cave restaurant over at Playa maybe one day this week. Sounds interesting! We continue to have beautiful weather and no rain here in Paradise.

The Pretty Women come to visit

Daughter Cindy and bosum buddies, Anna and Kathy, came to visit us in PaaMul and we had a great weekend. They stayed in the hotel right on the beach and we hit the ground running every morning. The weather was alternating sunshine and rain. We met them in Playa after they came in from the airport on the bus. After doing the walkabout. we payed a visit to Senor Frog's on the waterfront before carrying everyone and their luggage in the jeep back to PaaMul. Sat. morning we had decided to take them to the lagoon at Yal-Kul which is at the end of the road in Akumal. Anna learned to do some fantastic snorkeling. Kathy wasn't ready to get wet so she enjoyed the sights and fought off the iguanas. Dinner at Gringo Dave's in Puerto Adventuras was great with the little band playing some great sounds and a fire twirler doing her thing.

Sunday morning, after banana pancakes at Dave's, we headed for Xcaret which is like Disney and 6 flags in one. Beautiful place. We floated the underground river, walked the trails through the jungle, enjoyed the butterfly pavillion, saw the jaguars, monkeys, tapir, dolphins, turtles, old mayan village, and wound up at the fantastic presentation in the theater that night.

Hated to see them leave but Monday morning brought rain by the bucketsfull. We carried them to the airport in Cancun and said our goodbyes. Stopped in Playa at Sorianos then back home to a messy RV. Feels so quiet now. We are so glad they came.

crab races!

What do the folks here in PaaMul do for a wild night?? why, we go to the crab races, of course. Last night was our first visit to this athletic occasion. "Well trained athletes"(the crabs) compete to see which ones can escape over the rope to touch feelers upon the white sands at the restaurant. Prizes vary and are mostly donated by the restaurants and shops at Puerto Adventuras and here at PaaMul. The numbers of the crabs are written on their shells and the winners may be composed of: the first one over the "wall", the 7th one over the wall, etc. Cash prizes may consist of $340 pesos and one is awarded each race plus the usually restaurant prize mentioned above. Families and little kids cheer their favorite on until the night wears them down and they dissapear back into their palapas or RV's. To make it fair, only one prize per family can qualify. Lots of fun and games.

Pop isn't feeling too well today...I think he has the flu crud that seems to be going all around the campground. Had 3 huge Motorhomes come in after dark last night with overflowing blackwater tanks and no fresh water. Talk about not doing their homework!! Pop helped them to drain their tanks and get water while they ranted and railed about how bad the places are!! I say good riddance...I think they expected Las Vegas in the jungle! They parked in overflow for the night. As for Pop, I am treating him with Zycam and Theraflu hot tea. It dries him up some. I went for my usual morning walk and saw a pretty little buff bellied hummer down in Mamacita's garden. We met her last night up at the crab races. Tiny little woman but she carries a big stick! Doc out diving again today. The last 2 days have been really gorgeous with very little wind and crystal clear water. Had planned to get the Duck back in the water today but Pop has got to be feeling better before we do. TTFN..

Back in the Costa Maya

We made the flight back on Sat., Jan 5th. Beautiful day to come back . We were so glad to see our friends and walk in the sunshine and watch the sunsets. Sunday we went to see Tulum. What a magical place. There were a lot of turistas there and the grounds were full. We did get some nice pictures and enjoyed the few glyphs that are still visible on the walls of the palace. Such a place it must have been 700 years ago. We had lunch at a great little restaurant in downtown Tulum. The palapa they were building has been finished and the couple have moved their travel trailer underneath. There are also some 6 construction jobs going on around the park. It is a busy place!

Found rooms for Cindy and her friends at the hotel. Every weekend it is filled up. There was a good crowd around the pool today even. I am going to try and attach a little video I made of Tulum. Pop and I drove down to Akumal to look around today. That is ALL we did. We were looking for the beach but all we saw were condos and private homes. I am sure it is there..we just couldn't find it! Security and traffic cops everywhere. So we came back and swam in our own beach.