I woke up very tired this morning. Donna, Joel and I walked over to the bakery hoping for pastries for breakfast, but it was not to be. Everything was closed. It was about 15 minutes until 8am. The only sign of movement was at Cafe Ole that opened at 8am. When we went past the Oasis hotel, Donna decided that we should check out their restaurant. Maybe we could get some pastries for take out. We found one gal that said we could so I paid while Donna filled up a plate with pastry. While I was waiting for my change I noticed a sign that specifically states you can't take food from the restaurant. Luckily the waiter hadn't read the sign.

After breakfast I collapsed on the couch. Our plan was to go to Xcaret this morning. Joel wasn't sure we should go. The price is about $50 per person and he didn't think I would have fun while I was so tired. But after sitting around the condo for 5-10 minutes I got antsy and wanted to go. So our family and the Cournteys went off.

Xcaret is lovely. The paths are very maze like as they twist about, but there are enough signs that you can figure out where you are going. We went on the underground river first. We wanted to float down without the crowds and we wanted to use our masks and flippers then dump them back at the car for the rest of the day. We had rented lockers but they weren't big enough for flippers and there was no way we were carrying them all day long.

At the top of the river they give you a bag that you fill with all your stuff you don't want on the river. Then they padlock them and send them to the bottom for you. Next you get your lifejacket. They had these very uncomfortable straps that went from the back, between your legs then clip in the front. Some of us elected to unclip them after we got on the river.

The river was very cool, but not as cold as they had us thinking at the entrance. They warn you not to go down if you have asthma, diabetes or a heart condition, since you get so cold.

Floating down was fun. Though I'm not sure that Sam liked it all that much. However our family loved it, but then we are big snorkelers. Most of the time you are underground. The ceiling had occasional circular openings in it with tree roots hanging down to the water. Occasionally it would open up at the bottom where the river had undercut the limestone, or open up at the top to something, like the theaters. It would have been interesting if one of the theaters had a show going on at the time. You can actually swim between where the audience sits and the stage.

At the bottom we got dry and headed back to the lockers. They guys went out and put away the snorkel gear.

We decided to eat at the Mexican restaurant. Joel and I split the Mexican dinner and some tacos from the appetizer menu. The tacos were nothing to write home about, but the Mexican dinner was good.

Next were the pumas. They had one black cat that was sleeping in one enclosure and two yellow ones in another that were pacing around.

After this we wandered around a little. We saw the stained glass plaza, some Mayan ruins and ate some ice cream. We finally reached the aquarium on the other side of the park. The aquarium area was fairly small, but quite well done. They have exhibits on the different depths of the ocean and what lives there. At the end they have a shark exhibit, where some nurse sharks live.

Just past the aquarium is a small turtle farm. They raise green turtles. The little turtles are so cute. It is so different from how it would be set up in the States. The largest part was the pond where all the adults live. There are no railings at all around the pond. Here there would be railings everywhere, so no one falls in and signs warning you about everything.

We were getting tired so we started heading out to the exit. On the way we ran into a dance group. They had beautiful costumes. I have no idea if they were historical Indian costumes or not, but they were quite elaborate and made from primitive materials. They were doing some kind of dance/ceremony that revolved around fire and smoke.

When they finished we headed back to the exit with a small detour to the arena to see what it was like. Once out we found that our car had been parked in by a van, but we found the van owner and we could leave.

After a long day we decided to eat close. Our group split up. Donna, Larry and Matt's family went to Tiramisu. Our family and the Courtneys went to ???? - hmm I can't remember the name. The food was ok. And again the margaritas were strong and made from a mix.