Miscellaneous Holbox

Nets ready for the morning's fishing.

Beach net loft.

Beach phone booth.

Cell phone, anyone?

 

Golf cart adventure

We put off our planned rental of a golf cart for a day while we waited for the water to go down. Today turned out to be beautiful and the pools of water didn't look too bad so we were off!

Road to end of island.

Waiting to see where the shallow parts were.

Here we go!

We made it!

Definitely worth it!

 

Flooding Holbox

The rainstorm soaked Holbox and meant we had to look for alternative routes to get around. The main intersection in front of our hotel was flooded but we were able to access the town via the beach. The locals taught us how to cope - just wade through the daunting pools in your flip flops - it is never very deep! According to one waitress, a truck comes to clear away the water but they wouldn't be bothering right away because more rain is predicted.

Casa las tortugas

We are staying in a small hotel on the beach. The clientelle seems to be largely European. The restaurant serves local and beautifully prepared food. Breakfasts include strong coffee, fruit smoothies and three choices of entrees - two of which change every day. Bill had Mexican soup one morning. (Tomato base with egg, bread and cheese swirled in it.) Our two waitresses are Argentinian and Swedish. They are travelling and waitressing as they travel. Both speak at least three languages. One has fallen in love and her planned two-month stop has now lasted seven months. She sees no reason to leave.

View from breakfast table.

Fish!

We watch the groups of fishing boats leave most mornings. Their return is announced by a cloud of birds. The fish are cleaned on the return voyage so it is a moving smorgesbord for the resident pelicans, gulls and cormorants.

 

Three Point Tour

We went on a three-hour boat tour of points of interest around Isle Holbox. A local fellow who spoke no English and his Italian(!) interpreter were our guides. Timosh, a knowledgeable birder, was thrilled when we showed an interest. He kept borrowing our binoculars then excitedly pointing out what he had found. Ele, our happy interpreter, also expressed surprise that we were actually interested in the birds! I guess most people just like the adventure of the boat ride. Mazzy nuzzled her Mum as we sped across the bumpy water, didn't complain once, and only fell asleep on our return.  We headed first to the lagoon on the west side but found nothing but a flock of resident pelicans. Our trip to the east was more successful. A few straggling flamingoes appeared to be walking on water amongst the pelicans. Nesting egrets sat close to walkways. Timosh was most excited about spotting a rare lineated woodpecker (as compared to pileated). It disappeared before our cameras were focused but we were able to take in the proud red punk hairdo. A beautiful Yucatan woodpecker also announced its presence at a natural pool of spring water we visited. It was an oasis in the middle of a savannah and ancient location of a Mayan settlement.  Bill and Kevin swam in the cool water, trying to dive to the three bubbling openings at the bottom of the pool.

 

 

 

Bathing beauty

Our bathing beauty was well-covered during the first hot sunny days. Mazzy has been an amazing traveller. As long as she has her Mum to hang on to, and people to watch, she'll go anywhere.