Xel-Ha

Xel-Ha (pronounced 'Shell-Hah'!... with emphasis on the Hah!)

We, and Bennetts, opted for a day trip to Xel-Ha. It included very comfortable bus travel, use of all the water equipment, and all-inclusive for eating and drinking. $34/person. Excellent deal!

The trip southward seemed long, we had left the hotel at 7:30 a.m. Early for us! We arrived and were instructed where to go, what other options were available (like swimming with the dolphins... which we happen to think is an unkind and demeaning treatment of such a lovely animal). Sad enough that they are kept in captivity for our watching enjoyment.




We hurried to a lovely buffet restaurant and got our morning coffee – and a great supply of delicious foods to go with it!




Once sated Jim and I chose to float down a mangrove enclosed fresh water 'river'. It was a lovely walk through tropical vegetation to a trolley cart which took us the remainding distance to where the water-ride started. We selected individual clear plastic 'tire' tubes, and were helped onto them and so started our gentle journey. The waters flowed gently and we pushed ourselves off mangrove branches and rocky outcroppings and relaxed our way down the river. We seemed quite alone during this end of the trip.

Shortly we were in to waters that were much wider across, but still just a gentle flow to keep us going in the right direction. We floated past many young people having great fun on zip lines. They could only zip so far and then they had to plunge into the waters too. It looked like great fun as they had the lagoon under them at all times.

About an hour later we disembarked and wandered along the trails again. We saw a pier where we could walk out and look at fish. Two huge manatees were lolling in the waters beneath. Quite amazing to see.

Back at the locker rooms we got our snorkel sets and then walked to the east side of the park. From there we got into the more salty waters and snorkeled for at least an hour, watching a great array of large to tiny fishes in every colour you can imagine. Shortly after we started snorkeling we saw 2 manta rays float by us on our right side. Exciting!



It is mandatory to wear a life jacket in this area so it was quite comfortable just to float around, easily adjusting direction and speed. The experience made our day. I was especially happy because Jim (who is not the water baby I am) spent and enjoyed the whole time as much as I did.

Time flew by and it was now mid-afternoon so we met us with Shirley and Gerald and went for more food and drinks. Such an amazing array of foods, lots of Mexican food which I love but also lots of great meat and potatoes – and even lasagna! Always room for deserts which were so yummy too.



Now we took a few minutes to relax on the hammocks. There were dozens of them but many were being used.




We were back on the bus by 5:15 and enjoyed the trip home as we watched the lights of cities and grand hotels along the way.



That is one tour that we will be happy to do again. Many more activities to do next time - especially with this sweet man I travel with!