We’re here in Rio Lagartos and Atlanta seems far, far away!  An uneventful flight, a quick time in customs, a relatively hassle free renting a car and we’re off for adventure. 

We grab lunch of  ham and chees baguettes at a little place that Juan knows about and head down the road.  We find a little spot to pull off the highway to eat the sandwiches.  The sandwiches were much better than the spot where we stopped.

Our first real stop was  the ruins of Ek Balam.    The afternoon showers have been off and on but after a short wait, we have clear skies.  It is a small site but a good first exposure.  Juan gives a lot of background info and everyone is enthralled.  The stucco work of the main structure is amazing!  But, to get a close look, one has to climb some serious steps.  We decided that we had a pretty good view from the ground.  

Juan has many friends at Ek Balam and speaks to them all in Maya.  He is the god father to the son of one of the other guides.  Juan asked me to get an educational toy for this 1 ½ year old.  I took down some duplos.  We drove to the town of Ek Balam to deliver the toy and meet his friends.  The town of Ek Balam is very small and we are quite the object of interest as we drive up.  There are dogs in the road that are slow to move, kids taking great interest in us.  We are welcomed into their home.  Two looms for making hammocks are prominent in the main room.  The child is taking a nap but they get him up to meet us.  His cousins are thrilled with the bottles of bubbles that I also brought. 

Back on the road to Rio Lagartos.  We go through several towns, taking in the local flavor.  One town is famous for their smoked pork, another for ranches, another for furniture making.

We get into Rio Lagarots about 6 in the evening.  Just in time for the late afternoon shower.  After about 20 minutes, the rain stops, the sun is out and we enjoy the view from our hotel .  We are all quite tired since we got up early to catch our flight.  We walk about a block to a restaurant  on the water.  We decide to share a shrimp ceviche.  Oh it is good!  Comes with some avocado and freshly fried tortilla chips.  Then our dinner comes.  We all order some kind of shrimp.  We try them all and agree that the coconut shrimp is the best. 

We watch as the sun sets, the slow relaxed life of the town unfolds in front of us.  Some fishing boats leave for a night of fishing, a few people stroll along the water’s edge,  some kids play in a hammock hanging on one of the docks.

There is only wifi in the  main lobby.  Hopefully, I can post this in the morning during breakfast time…..

A great start to the trip!