Chetumal

We had a short drive from Xel-Ha to Chetumal. The city is located on a point on the bay of Bahia del Chetumal so it is surrounded on three sides by water. There are several large lakes in the region as well. Since the city is on the border with Belice you will find quite a diverse population from German speaking Amish to black Africans to Caribbean natives coming to Chetumal to buy their groceries and other supplies. If you didn't know, Belice (aka Belize) is an English speaking nation.

Our campground is right on the bay and the weather is hot and muggy -- I'm not complaining!! This is what we came to Mexico to experience. They keep telling us we will have hot showers but I have to tell you that I have never taken so many COLD showers as I have on this trip!

We had the option to take a City tour but decided that since we had a car we would do this on our own. We did invite another couple to join us. We visited the Mayan Museum which gave us more information about that culture such as the way they made people "beautiful" by shaping the heads of the babies to the "Tree of Life" and the significance of the roots, the trunk and the leaves. The roots represented death, the underworld and the transition from death to the heavens. The trunk was life, human existence. The tree's limbs and leaves reached towards the heavens and pointed to the 13 gods and the stars that guide them.

After the museum we walked thru the local market and held our noses as we walked thru the meat butchering area -- almost made me want to give up meat! A nice lunch on the Malecon and then pool time back at the campground.

The owner's daughter is in a dance troupe so we were entertained by them as we sipped on our Margaritas.

MAP: We are here 3 days.