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!

Mexican Fiesta

Mexican Fiesta

Oh Thursday evening we were bussed to the Hacienda Andalucia. It was excited to see the place. Everything about the 2 story building looked very Spanish. Terraces with arched coves, courtyard in the center, performers dressed in their grand Spanish/Mexican traditional costumes, ground floor stall for the horses were all part of this hacienda.

As soon as we entered the main floor and reception area we were offered something to drink. The margueritas were lime, strawberry – or tamarind. I'd never heard of that before. It looked somewhat brown but I noticed several 'locals' preferred it.
I think there may have been around 300 guests there. A large group were visitors from Argentina.

Around 7 pm we were escorted to our designated seating on the second floor. Shortly after everyone settled in, the stage entertainment began. The MC was high energy and entertaining. We saw a number of dances with 3 ladies and 3 men in representative costumes of various areas in Mexico. All very elegant and beautiful. Astounding feet work too. A mariachi band played several melodies and a pretty girl sang.

Shortly after this we were called to the buffet tables and in orderly fashion filled our plates with the wonderful foods offered in Mexico, tamales, tostadas, salads, pulled pork, Veracruzan fish, roast beef with some subtle flavoured gravy, rice, beans, vegs, so many other choices, plus a great display of various desserts – including our favourite, flan. We ate and drank our fill.

As quickly as we could finish the meal we were invited back to the main floor and directed to the north end where we sat on bleachers (with back support) around a riding ring, and then the main event began.

The horse show was wonderful. First, about 8 girls, all beautifully dressed in blue and white frilly dresses, galloped into the ring riding side-saddle on their lovely horses. The horses did a bit of intricate weaving around each other, all the while with the ladies sitting regally and still moving at a good pace. One young lady sat upon her dancing horse and sang a beautiful song. Later another young woman came riding out on the most beautiful silvery white horse we had ever seen. The tail and main were creamy but the horse just glistened in the light. Her horse danced too, and she sang, and the whole presentation was stunning.

Two men, one dressed in Spanish traditional garb and one in Mexican traditional garb rode together in the ring. They were both grand in their own style and their horses were beautifully trained. The horses fell into dressage moves with ease and were very impressive.

There was also some great humour thrown into the mix to keep everyone laughing.

The waiters continued to pass out drinks to those who wanted to partake too.

The final evening performance was from the Spanish rider and 'Jose' with his donkey. It was a hilarious competition and most of the crowd was persuaded that Jose was really the hero of the night – after all, his donkey would kneel down and roll over.