Donna arrived last week, but only could stay 5 days due to school commitments. We tried to do all the fun stuff and ran out of time.

Ate breakfast at my fav breakfast place, El Nicho

Omelettes are excellent.

Last view of the pier and Caribbean sea. Goodbye Donna, hope that you return next year.

Last year I visited Siete Boca cenote. I loved it and you can see pictures and past blogs posts from 2021. This year,I plan to visit a new cenote. While Siete Boca was fabulous, the grounds were rustic. This one, Zapote Cenote has the WOW factor! The cenotes are beautiful and the grounds are so gorgeous! I spent time just looking at the foliage. Everything was sculptural, all the structures so architectural and lush.

Last year on the trip to the Siete Boca cenote. I hired a taxi to drive us there, wait a few hours and bring us back to Casa Velero for the cost of $30 for three people. The admission was $20. each into the cenote park. Then on the way back we stop at Sinaloa Chicken in the Colonia for delicious grilled chicken and sides. We’d bring it back and eat by the pool.

However, our driver from last year, Alejandro, couldn’t be found. I talked to the taxi drivers for how much this year. and was quoted $65 and $75, just for transportation. Prices have increased since Covid.

I decided to take the tour that they are selling here. Included the 3 cenotes, zip line, and lunch for $75. ea. I was a bit skeptical of a tour, since I like to do my own thing, usually. It was a very good decision to take the tour.

The next cenote was open. It had a Zip line! I was expecting a little chair like place to sit while Zip lining over the top of the cenote. BUT, actually it consisted of…is a was a line over the cenote, you hold onto a bar, swing out over the cenote, when Sebastian yells “drop”, you let go of the bar! Fall into the cenote from about 20 ft.

It gave me a bit of pause, because I was’t sure my arms could hold up my body for the distance?

But….I did it!!! Unfortunately, not pics of me, but I got a couple of pics later, but of others.

Savoring the moment! We both zipped into the cenote.

Sebastian called us “Chicas”, not quite sure what it meant but it was cute. To the next place.

Into the cave.

On to lunch. You can see how beautiful the jungle grounds are.

Fabulous trip! Amazing!

It rained all morning. The visibility in the water isn’t too good, things are a bit stirred up. But the sights are still beautiful, if just a little cloudy.

Gearing up for the big splashes into the ocean.

The soft corals, look like trees, are really healthy looking.

The hard corals grow slower and are more endangered. There was a time when you could see fields of this elk-horn coral, now its solitary specimens.

Looks like a heart.

Captain Juan

Tonight I decided to go out. It’s Saturday night and tomorrow is Easter Sunday. My guests have returned home. For those that know me well, it’s unusual. At home when nightfall arrives, I like to be in my house, safe and secure.

There is a club behind Casa Velero with live music. In the evening, I sit on my patio and enjoy the music each night. The band plays old rock and roll from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, from Pink Floyd to David Bowie but interspersed with Mexican rock and roll. I feel a little guilty for poaching their music by listening each night for free.

Tonight, I’m visiting.

The band is ATM. The guitar player in on the left and the lead singer on the right, they are both from central Mexico. The drummer is to my left, he’s from Argentina. The singer also plays the keyboard, saxophone and manages the control board.

I arrived a little before start time at 8pm as they were preparing for their set. I approached them said sorry to bother you while setting up, but wanted to say that I’ve really enjoyed their music while sitting on the patio right behind them. The singer said, “Oh good, I was worried that you may complain that the music was too loud.” It’s just right me me” was my reply. I love how you play the old rockers like Pink Floyd. I thanked them again and set down, so the can finish their set up. When they started playing the first song was “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. I stayed for their first set. During break, they took pictures with me. Not such a good picture with the bright stage lights. I went back to Casa Velero, literally around the corner, and finished listening to the rest of the show in my spot, outside on the patio.

Frances and Beverly visit Xcaret. It’s a fabulous ecological park. It’s beautiful, fascinating, organized, and you see and experience amazing sights!

The cenotes, rivers with caves. refreshing after walking around the park

Little beggars everywhere….

Coaties, mexican racoons, coatimundis (actually)