Monday, May 16, 2011

Day Trip

I was in Merida again last month, visiting my friend there and helping her "not" celebrate her birthday! The only thing she wanted to do for her un-birthday, was go someplace and eat seafood on the beach. Easily enough done from Merida!

Since we had all been to Progresso more times than you can shake a stick at, we decided to head for a different Gulf of Mexico location. A sleepy little town just NE of Merida and east of Progresso, Sisal. Sisal is also the entrance point to the Ria Celestun Biosphere and thus, a protected area.

The first thing I say when we got to the beach area of town, was this dock. A much smaller version, but very reminiscent of the one in Progresso.





But getting to that beach and view was an interesting walk in itself. Along the way, we passed "City Hall" and were able to get out of the hot sun for a bit under this walkway. Very typical archetecture for the Yucatan.




Most of the streets in town are paved until you get to the ones leading directly to the beach area.






Of course, we had to take a stroll out onto the dock.







And see the shoreline to the left.







And to the right. The darkness you see is accumulated seaweed.









I was a little surprised to see people in the water at the end of the dock. I had no idea of how deep it was there, nor how they got back onto the dock once in.









That mystery was soon enough solved!











As we watched some of the local pre-teen youth cool off and enjoy and a hot spring day, I realized that the water here was only about five feet deep. That's certainly enough to do a cannonball into!














The view from the end looking back to the beach area.






Next we'll get off the dock and actually take a tour into the biosphere. I was not disappointed and hope you won't be either!

7 comments:

Ann said...

Thanks for sharing another interesting place in MX! I didn't know there was a biosphere there, too!

lisa said...

Very nice. The water still amazes me on the color of it. I don't get to the ocean often. I think the only Birthday I didn't want to celebrate was my 40th! I hated it and of course what happens, they throw me a party. I had one for the hubby on his 50th and he said I could but he really didn't and he was really surprised on how nice it turned out. (he was afraid of the over the hill jokes )

Life's a Beach! said...

I love hearing about sleepy little beach towns in that area. I'm assuming if the water's only 5 feet deep at the end of that pier, they won't be docking cruise ships there?

KfromMichigan said...

I do like the quietness of the Gulf side. Especially Celestun. I'm sure the pictures to come are great! I love the beach pictures.

Jackie said...

I am with Ann. I didn’t know there was a biosphere near there. I have seen other blogs with reports on Sisal. It’s looks like a nice place for a day trip.

Dan in NC said...

Isla,
Great photo's! Found the difference in the water clarity between your side of the Yucatan, and the Gulf side VERY interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Dan in NC

Christine said...

So, I found your blog today because I'm going to Cabo San Lucas tomorrow for a vacation. I was looking for the calorie count for Modelo Lights and came across your blog. I loved the name of your blog and started to browse your site when I came across your "Gringo in Paradise" section and clicked on it. It's really strange how you just come upon things sometimes. Just last night I had a dream about a friend that I was once very close to and no longer am in touch with. However, I dream about her often and did last night ironically. This morning I was on my way to work, thinking about her and the trip we took to Cancun many years ago. On our trip we took a day trip over to Isla Mujeres, and it's the one place I've always loved and talk about. It was just so special. I was thinking this morning about how we treked across the hot sand sweating our butts off looking for the right little restaurant to land and eat fish. And we found it. And it's a place I'll never forget. Ironic how today, when I clicked on your "Gringo in Paradise" it brought me back to that place. So, strange. Maybe it's time for me to look her up again! And say hello. She was a dear friend. Thanks!