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.

Tropical Storm Eileen

Math question:
When you walk a mile down a beach with dark clouds overhead, how far do you have to walk back when a tropical rain storm hits?
Answer: Just because the deck chair cushions were just put out doesn't mean that the locals can read those dark blue storm clouds any better than you can.

Psych question:
What does being caught in a tropical rainstorm feel like?
Answer (after the reception committee's laughter dies down):
Ever had a luke-warm fire hose turned on you?

Philosophical question:
Would those shells you collected before the rain still be on the beach if you hadn't gone out?

No picture of me  - just imagine a drowned rat. But the shells are pretty fabulous, don't you think?

Life's a beach....

We have adapted to living on the beach pretty well. The sun is hot and although clouds threaten most days, it is hot by mid-day - especially off the beach. It tends to be windy here this time of year and storms come up suddenly. Last night we experienced the north wind that the fishermen love and the tourists not so much. Our hotel has an oasis in the courtyard around the pool so we can always sit there.

 

The wind and high tide have revealed the most bizarre thing. Horseshoe crabs with brittle ten-inch long shells litter the tide line by the hundreds. Apparently so caught up in mating, they don't realize they are dangerously higher than they should be and end up stranded when the tide goes down.

A fishing village

Only ten years ago, Isle Holbox (pronounced Hol bosh) consisted of a small fishing village in the centre of a quiet drift of sand held together by mangrove trees. A large but shallow lagoon separates the island from the mainland at the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula. Transportation still consists of a ferry to the mainland and bicycles, motor bikes and golf carts on the island. The police have a truck.

 

 

 

Whale sharks and change

Whale sharks appear off the coast of Isle Holbox for four - six months of the year. These 12-meter-long sharks were suddenly seen as having tourism potential and hotels started to appear on the beach. Now you can go on tours and swim with the gentle giants. Flocks of flamingoes also arrive to breed in the lagoon and a bird preserve has been established around much of the island.

Locals have adapted by adding store fronts to their homes. Most added restaurants but some sell sea shells and t-shirts. There are also mini super markets where the locals shop and we can buy bread, cheese and tomatoes.

 

Penguins on Holbox

Since arriving on Isle Holbox, it has taken me a few days to figure out how to send a blog in English! (Was also pretty busy reading books, sitting in the sun, walking on the beach, sleeping long hours and eating really good food!)

The wedding in the Barcelo resort was everything the bride and groom hoped for and we enjoyed spending time with their family for the four days leading up to the ceremony on the beach. We also had some really nice grandparent time - mostly on the beach and in the kiddy's pool.

Best thing about weddings is the seaweed you can find for your truck here on the beach!

Who could ask for more?