A swim In the rivers

Unimog drive.

Jungle Crossing

I have only taken a handful of these photos, most were done by a photographer with our group.

The jungle crossing is a new experience offered by an exploration tour group where they take you off the beaten track into the jungle by unimog and on foot. The jungle hides some huge caves. Here you enter and swim in an underground river system which stretches over 170km under the limestone of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico.  It is the second longest underground river network in the world. 

The track was absolutely terrible with the unimog sometimes only on three wheels................Brilliant!!

Our guide Marcus was excellent

Our driver Willie was insane but a real character

The track

This is where we entered the underground rivers

The roof of the caves above the river is home to lots of fruit bats.

At the some stages the only light available in the caves was from our torches.

The mayan women made us a traditional lunch which was lovely, I felt it only polite to have seconds!

although they live in the middle of this jungle they make goods to sell to the tourists.

A red back tarantula we came across

And of course a lizard on the move

Some people could not resist messing around............I got told off by everyone.

I got my gorgeous wife to join me though!!

Hi Mom............Hi Dad!!

XCARET--------Cancun

Xcaret is an eco-friendly waterpark on the coast of Mexico.  It is built around natural inlets along the coast with a network of underground rivers.  Below are some of the animals we saw, a mixture of those in captivity and some that were free to roam.

We were greeted by this awesome ox, very friendly!

My favourite photo

There were an abundance of reptiles roaming all over the paths, walls and rocks around the park

                                   

This Tapir was cooling down in the 34 degree heat.

Baby turtles are bred in this park. There were loads of ponds with about 50 or so in each one, very cute

Need we say more?

These giant turtles had a huge lake/pond area to swim in.

                                     

We saw three manatees. very graceful.

The bird park had an abundance of bird breeds. From macaws to vultures to hawks.

They also have a breeding establishment for macaws.

These baby macaws are just starting to grow their feathers.

Pumas

                                   

                                                                              Leopard

Victoria nearly stepped on this poor fella!

Victoria spotted this guy in the grass, he was most unimpressed when I put a lens in his face.

Not sure what is growing on this peacock

These monkeys had a great time showing off for the crowds.

Victoria's favourite picture, Just hanging around

These maniacs are praising the sun god, five of them climb a telegraph pole and while one stands in the middle chanting the other four drop off the pole and swing upside down....................Not sure it meets health and safety standards. No safety ropes or nets.....mad!

This is the view while we had lunch.

And this...........

This is the restaurant we ate at.

As you swim down the rivers with your goggles and snorkel you enter this atrium with this amazing stained glass ceiling

The church, the alter is surrounded by water.

Baby macaws

                                                       

Walking around the bird section

                                            

We loved this stone.

                                             

Just before the final show we were entertained with traditional horsemanship.

Just another character dancing for the crowds

This little donkey lives all on his own

A warrior at the entrance to the final show.

At the end of the day we had a two hour show which included among others some traditional mexican folk dancing and playing hockey in the dark with a ball on fire. Absolutely brilliant.

Once you come out of the underground rivers you have the pleasure of your own private rock pool.

There are loads of small fish to see and the water is lovely and warm.

You can meet and swim with dolphins.

Preparing for the underground snorkel.

The above pictures are of a Mayan village that you pass through as you glide down the river.

The entrance to one of the underground caves/rivers

I thought my compulsory life jacket fitted perfectly. My gorgeous wife laughed at me all the way down the river.

A nice cool shower before heading off.