Still in Playa

Hola, friends.

We had a rainy day so got out pencil and paper and did some number crunching of the trip to date. Total distance from Regina to Playa Del Carmen is 6400 Km (4000 miles for those of you who are stuck in the past). Thats a whole long way. Regina to New Brunswick is 2600 miles so we could do that one easily sometime in the future.

It took us 13 days but if we didn´t stay to sightsee and visit, the trip could be done in 8 days. If you have a fast car and radar (you know who I mean) you could do it in 6 days, but then you would miss the beauty of the countryside. Being retired, we opted to see what is going on.

We picked up travel discount books at state tourist info places and found that you can get some deep discounts. For example we stayed in San Antonio in a Comfort Inn Suites Hotel for $52 including a great free breakfast. Other people were paying $99 for the same suite. We also found that if you fill your pockets at breakfast you can get a free lunch while on the road too! Ardell looked like the Michelin man leaving breakfast. A tip, don´t put waffles in your pockets. Syrup picks up too much pocket lint to make them enjoyable. So total cost for rooms, food, gas, tolls, oil change, was $1214. Without the extra days, the cost would have been $800 - $900.

So all in all, driving is an alternative to flying if you have lots of time and enjoy the trip. I have to confess there were days during the ice storms that weren´t altogether enjoyable, nor was the leg from Regina to Fargo. Texas and Mexico were a huge pleasure. We are looking forward to driving through the southern part of Mexico and experiencing more of the great beauty that Mexico has to offer.

Yesterday we went to a Pum´al a place 30 Km south of here that is an RV park. Actually quite nice because everyone there adds on a permanent attachment to their trailer/motorhome/fifth wheel that is usually 2 floors, and includes a kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms with a palapa roof. I think one could pick up a used trailer/modular home in the USA (I hear they are almost free in some places) and have it hauled to a site there. So it would be a very economical way to have a place on the ocean. We walked around the place and found a number of units for sale. People all seem to be of the same demographic, snowbirds who just like to laze around. And laze around they do. There is a pool and restaraunt/bar. Beautiful cove and beach. Nice snorkeling. Trouble is, after an hour, we couldn´t wait to leave the place. We missed the noise and activity of Playa.

Adios for now,

peter and ardell

Still in Playa

Nothing much going on here in Playa del Carmen. We are working on out tans and enjoying the scenery. Weather nice, tends to rain in the afternoon and evening, but it is a warmish rain so no complaints.

Went to Xel Ha yesterday, this is a spectacular spot to experience the best in snokling because it is where the fresh underground water flows into a salt water lagoon. The salt water stays on the bottom because it is heavier and the fresh water flows over it. Also, the bottom salty layer gets hot because it stays in the sun while the fresh water is continually replaced with new cooler water. If you get cold you need to dive down to the hot salty layer. Where the water layers meet there is a cloudy layer because of the mixing. So you get fresh water fish species and salt water species, all in a protected environment. Saw really big fish up close, like inches from your mask. Numerous species as well as big rays gliding over the bottom. If you ever go to Cancun, this is a must see.

Fellow I met last year who was dying of cancer and taking pain killers that would kill a horse is miraculously still alive and back for another farewell vacation. It is great to see him and his brother again. This is the 3d year I´ve been here with the brothers Matieros and a few others I´ve met here keep showing up. I´m not the only one who likes this place.

Went for coffee yesterday morning and I tried to order an Americano chico, meaning a shot of expresso with hot water to make a small cup, which is chico. I asked for a Chico Americano. Got a worried look from the coffee lady because I asked for a small American boy. No police involvement. Got the coffee.

Hope everyone is well.

peter and ardell