Wednesday - Siho Playa, Belamku, Chicana

 We enjoyed a leisurely morning having breakfast on the balcony of  the restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.  Juan at first tells us that they don’t serve breakfast on the balcony, only coffee.  Well, I guess we smiled really sweetly when we asked as they served us our breakfast on the balcony.  Fun watching the shore birds, the small fishing boats going by.  Then alternating swimming between the pool and the ocean, ending in the pool. 

We left about 11 AM to head back inland on our circumnavigating the Yucatan peninsula.   We drive about an hour and half and have lunch in the city of Escarcega which began as the end of the railroad. and became a cross roads. That is still all it really has going for it.  The restaurant had a nice choice of homemade soups and stews.  Of course, they knew Juan and gave him a complimentary lunch.  The other clientele seemed to be  Mexicans, using it as a stop before heading one direction or the other. 

Another hour and half drive to the ruins of Belamku.  I generally put something on each tour that I haven’t done before.  Belamku was it for this tour.  What a wonderful place!  The trees are taller than  in other places we’ve been so it is cooler and fresher.  We see several palaces, temples and alters.  But then, the big surprise!  A caretaker of the site shows up just as we get to the largest pyramid.  Juan points out to us the different levels that were built at different times.  The caretaker unlocks a little door and we can go inside the pyramid to see the stucco decoration inside that is on an older pyramid.  They are in wonderful condition.  The site just soared to one of my new favorites.  Hmmmm.  Seems like they are all my favorite. 

Our stop for the night is at the Ecolodge of Chicana.  The grounds are nice and there are many birds.  We quickly change into our suits and enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool and then a relaxed dinner at the restaurant on site.