XCARET 26 MARCH

We decide to do one of the water parks before Semana Santa (which is Easter holidays) and the beaches get full of local tourists. We change rooms – get a bigger one with an extra bed, but on the street and very sociable! Take the “collective” to Xcaret Water Park (6 kms before Tullum). We are picked up at the entrance by a big pink bus. The park offers a lot of things to do and after a walk through the gardens we end up at the river ride – a very slow boat, during which we see some nice birds and lots of iguanas. This is followed by the much more exciting and adventurous underground river swim/snorkel. This is a 600 km swim in an underground river, through supposed “cenotes”. We dump all our clothes and are equipped with bright pink life jackets. Luc is once again hysterical when we enter the river and he sees the dark cave ahead and it takes all our talents to persuade him to go with. It turns out to be a wonderful swim/snorkel. Lots of caves with holes allowing light to come through. We are all freezing at the end, but very happy. We visit the jaguar & black panther, butterfly, tapir enclosures. It is feeding time for the manatees and we get some really nice photos of the diver under the water with this giant creature. We decide to cool off and to go snorkelling in the shallow reef inlets. Luc has taken to the water like a fish and swims non-stop with his mask and snorkel. We visit the aquarium – beautiful and even get to see the little sea horses. Run for the Mexican horse show – really impressive rope work! Then we join the rest in the big theatre for the grand finale – Mexico Espectacular – showcasing the history of Mexico with song and dance. The walk in is spectacular – through jungles and temples with people dressed up as Mayan warriors, priests etc. We even manage to get a photo of Luc with a massive snake! The show is spectacular. We see the first Mayan people and two of the games they played – one is similar to soccer but they hit the ball with their hips (“Pok ‘ta Pok - 1000 BC) and the other is similar to hockey, but they hit a round wooden ball that has been set on fire (“Uarkukua” or Burning ball game – more than 3000 years old). We see how the Spaniards have arrived in the Mayan country and how the two cultures have merged to create Mexico. During the second half of the show we are entertained by dancers and singers performing the various songs and dances from the different regions. This includes the Papantla Fliers – four men flying 30 meters above ground fixed to a pole with the leader playing a pre-Hispanic flute. This ancient ceremony was offered to the god of spring in exchange for a good harvest and a fertile soil. We finally leave the park after 8 and is lucky to get a “collectivo” home. The driver is a terrible driver and drives like a maniac – a “collectivo” is like the SA taxis and this driver even behaves like one!
WORDS OF WISDOM : Luc with a voice full of disgust, whilst staring at a group of Mexican girls next to the beach “All the beautiful girls, except you mommy, are smoking”.