Mexico, day 5 - Xcaret

Wednesday was another big day.  We traveled by luxury van to Xcaret - a 200 acre, eco-adventure park with a heavy focus on Mayan and Mexican culture.  Tom and I visited Xcaret during our trip 15 years ago, but it was a very different place then which could be said about just about everything in the area. 

We started our day in a cenote.  It was crowded.  Actually, it was beyond crowded.  Instead of a river of cool underground water, it felt more like a river of humans.  It wasn't ideal, but it was definitely an experience we won't forget.  The river ended near these ocean-front pools.  

So pretty and less crowded.

Then we headed to the beach, which was also very crowded.  Here's Leo acting like a monkey on some ropes over the water.

And then the skies opened up and a storm rained down on us with no mercy.  It didn't let up and we had to make our way to our locker for food and supplies in the downpour.  Here's the thing about tropical storms, they're loud.  Serafina has noise sensitivity issues.  She is deeply triggered by unexpected loud sounds, like thunder.   I thought ahead and brought her noise-canceling headphones but that wasn't enough for her.  She was in hysterical tears and curled up on the floor of the locker room which was providing us shelter from the worst of the storm.

It eventually eased up and it was time to venture out of the safety of the locker room and do more exploring.  Serafina kept on her headphones for a while just in case.  Here she is in front of some lovely live birds.

Following paths in the jungle.

We ended up in a Mayan village.  Here they are in a mock school room.

This is a Mayan ball game court.  We got a chance to watch it played during the evening show.

After the Mayan village, we made our way to the aviary.

Then we got to see some butterflies.

Serafina and Tom decided to do another cenote.  It was different than our morning cenote and apparently it wasn't crowded at all.  Leo wasn't up for it so we explored more of the park as we made our way to the spot the cenote let out.

Flamingos.

Turtles.

We reunited and got some hammock time.

We had a bite to eat and then it was off to see the big show.

We lit candles before the performances started which created a beautiful effect.

I didn't take any pictures or video of the show.  I was too busy enjoying it.  It chronicled the history of Mexico from the Mayan people to the arrival of the Spanish, and then highlighted dances and music from the different regions.  It was lively and beautiful.

I did take one video of the "flying men".