On Tuesday morning, we walked to the bus stop and took one to the Hotel Zone to catch the bus bound for Xcaret. We had to wait a short while, but finally we were on our way. Xcaret is an ecological park about an hour south of Cancún. Since we were visiting during the off season, our guide told us that the park has only 1000 visitors per day but during the peak season 12000 visitors attend. Wow!
After entering the gates, we started our self-guided tour of the park. The first activity we did was the boat ride. It was very nice and we were told to remain totally silent and let our senses take note of everything around us. With that admonition, I was able to notice the sunlight played on the water and luminated certain reliefs along the way. I also was able to notice many iguanas sunning on the rocks that I am sure I would have missed had I been talking. It was a lovely ride.
After we left the boat, we made our way along the trail and saw an orchid farm, some White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and other creatures native to the Yucatán Peninsula. Our next destination was the Underground River. It's a place where you snorkel your way from one end to the other. I was excited about it because it was my first time to snorkel. Noel was nervous because he knows I'm no Michael Phelps, but I told him to relax and just enjoy it. We had to get our snorkel gear and towels first, but it didn't take too long before we were all suited up with life jacket, flippers, mask, and tube. We were now ready to make the plunge...
The water was just a little cool and once I stepped off into the "deep", Noel went into training mode. He was showing me how to snorkel properly. I will be the first to admit that the first few times I did it, I had slight panic attacks for few moments because I kept telling myself to breathe through my mouth and not my nose, relax, make sure my mouth was closed around the tube, etc. But after a few tries, I was able to get myself under control and enjoy the moment. It was very relaxing and I was really liking snorkeling a lot. The river took us under caverns and near "ruins" and at one point, there was even a Mayan warrior watching us from the shore. We both had a very good time snorkeling our way down the river and all too soon, it came to an end and we had to return our gear, rinse off, and dry ourselves.
As we were leaving the river area, we heard music and Noel told me that the Voladores de Panantla were getting ready to perform. We sat down and watched as these men performed this centuries old ritual. Basically, 5 men climb a very tall wooden pole. Four of them tie ropes around themselves while the other plays some kind of pipe. When the climax is reached by the piper, the men launch themselves off of the top of the pole and are gradually lowered to the ground while swinging around the pole on the ropes. They are hangning upside down with their eyes closed. When they feel the nearness of the ground, they flip over and land on their feet. The last to return to earth is the piper. It was an amazing sight to see them swing around the pole! I know I wouldn't do it! The rest of the show consisted of a short dance and another spin on a shorter wooden pole with wooden spokes. They looked like a human pinwheel!
By this time, we were both very hungry and made our way to find the restaurant Noel wanted to try. We arrived at the restaurant seated right on the water's edge! It was a seafood buffet and we made our way around all the food eating most anything we could. It was able to try ceviche for the first time and love it!! (While at the table, I was able to make several observations about people on vacation that will be the subject of a near future entry! Stay tuned!)
After stuffing ourselves, we walked around the park seeing tapirs, spider monkeys, macaws and other parrots, and many other sights. The only animal I missed were the Jaguars (Panthera onca)! They were no where around! We also saw men playing music on glass bottles and marching dancers from the state of Michoacán.
After a full day of excitement, we went inside the show area for "Espactacular Mexico". I was very excited about this show and was really looking forward to watching it. It is a show that tells a little of the Mayan history of the area and recounts a little of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Later, people from the different states of Mexico get to perform in song and dance their local dances. The whole show from start to end was absolutely wonderful! The highlight of the night for me was during a segment of the show where a local singer sang Mexican songs that every Mexican knows and loves. All Mexicans in the audience sang along with him and that rousing show of patriotism sent shivers up and down my spine. It was an unforgettable moment!!
The show ended all to quickly and it was time to return to the bus for the ride home. It was a long day, but a very wonderful day and one that I won't soon forget. I hope to be able to return to Xcaret again one day!!
¡Viva México!
1 comment:
It sounds wonderful. I am still jealous. hee hee :) Can't wait to see your pics in PRINT.
That swinging around the pole is quite interesting and I would have loved to have seen it. Don't think I would have been a candidate to try it, though.
Your snorkeling adventure was MUCH calmer than mine. I am glad you enjoyed it once you got over your panic attacks. lol :)
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