Shawn & Michelle: Cancun 2002: Xcaret
Xcaret (Pronounced Ish ca ray) is an ecological/archaeological park. It was another highligh of the trip. Here you can see a show on the history of mexico, swim through a cenote, snokel, scuba dive, swim with dolphins, hang out on the beach, and find dozens of other things to keep you entertained. This is the snorkel/scuba area.
Ah yes, a nice relaxing rope walk across a lazy lagoon. Unless of course, your "friend" is trying to knock you off into said lagoon!
A thoroughly modern building and walkway withing the park.... just an interesting photo opportunity.
Parrots actually own two thirds of this park and are treated with much respect. Here you see the local parrot bus.... OK, maybe not, but you come up with a better caption!
Viagra Tower! Yeah, well, ummm... actually just a sightseeing tower you can ride for some rather impressive views (photo follows ).
The promised view from atop the tower. Notice the cruise ship? It's docked at one of the very few places a ship of that size can actually dock on the Yucatan. Imagine backing that into that parking space!
One part of the show put on nightly at Xcaret celebrating the history of Mexico. Here is a scene depicting the initial meeting of the Mayans and Spaniards.
Another scene depicting the establishment of Christianity by the Spaniards in Mexico.
Some fancy lasso work by a Mexican cowboy.
A celebration of the mingling of the Spanish and Native American cultures.
The Dance of the Flying Men. An impressive display of an ancient ritual. The men slowly descend from atop the pole, spinning about the pole as the ropes they are attached to slowly let the reach the ground.
An example of an ancient Mayan game (Flaming Field Hockey anyone?). There was also an example of the game that would be played at the ball court pictured in the Chichen Itza section, but the photos did not come out as it was fast action in near darkness. That games was more like socker, but they used their hips to move the ball rather than feet. Of course balls back then were several pounds and much harder than balls we use today (Ouch!). Top that off with the fact that their "goal" was a loop on either side of the court, at head height or more, just slightly larger than the ball itself!
A picture of a portionof the above/underground river that you can swim through. You can see two swimmers just leaving a portion of the underground river near the top center of the photo. As you enter this river there are many signs warning of cold water, possible shock and danger to people with medical conditions. The water is warmer than many pools I've been in in the states!
Another sghot of a portion of the river that is exposed to the world above.
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