Xel-Ha, all inclusive rocks

So yesterday we went to Xel-Ha (pronounced Shell-ha meaning 'where two waters meet' in Maya). It is an absolutely stunning natural inlet where fresh water springs and underground rivers meet the sea. The good people of the Yucatan have very tastefully made it into a water park, with snorkeling, Kayaking, inflatable tubes, swing ropes and cliffs to jump into the water from and some tropical animals. Oh... and the best bit restaurants, bars, lockers, towels, snorkels and loungers all included in an entrance fee. We ate like kings (and queens- Adam actually ate his own body weight in steak, chicken and pork loin) and drank like them to - frozen Pina Coladas and Margaritas are the way forward. We started the day off with a good snorkel swim right at the point where the sea met the inlet. The fish we saw were AMAZING and some quite scary! We saw little tiger-striped fish, manta rays, big bright blue fish, some scary looking and HUGE bulbous eyed fish and some things that looked like small barracudas but we think may have been pike? It was a great morning and we swiftly followed it up with cocktails and muchos food! But the problem with these places is the fact that they are always packed ... hmmm

You may remember that I saw my first dolphin but 5 days ago in Xcaret, well at Xel Ha I got to swim with one! It was absolutely incredible. As I walked to the water he poked his little head out of the water and swam along with me. He was called Jake ... or at least that is what it sounded like but the trainers Spanish accent was pretty strong. I had a full hour in the water with the dolphins but it felt like 15 mins! I got a kiss, a hug, a dance, a belly rub, a foot push (which I am assured will make Sea World all the more cool.) a whirlpool where he danced around on the spot. I fed him a fish and got lots of strokes. Check out the pics... Am mighty chuffed right now, I literally could not stop smiling! So thanks Mum for my early birthday prezzie, it was just, well, fantastic!


We have definitely learnt to appreciate the tourist attractions here in the Yucatan. They have been a really great way to end our time here and remind us of all the beautiful landscapes (and cocktails) of the Caribbean tropics.