12/4 Saturday, Celestun
Doris from Austria and I left ~5:30 to catch the 6am bus (the following buses are at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14:30, 16, 17:30, 20:00). Return buses at 5, 6:30, 8, 9:30, 11:30, 13, 14:30, 16, 17, 17:45 (Sunday only), 18:30, 19:15 (Sat + Sun). 61 pesos. The lady who sold me the tickets sold me an AhorroBus card without asking, as the bus was boarding. We planned to go to Sisal afterwards, which we'd need to transfer at Hunucmá.
The bus made stops in every little towns along the way. We arrived ~8am. Before the bus pulled into the town, there were few boats waiting at the bridge. We got off at the terminal. First thing is taking a photo of the return bus schedule. Saw a church that were probably at the start of a wedding: a lot of people and flowers. As we walked to the beach, a guy with a guide license, asked us if we needed a tour. 1600 pesos. We said we'd wait for more passengers. Asked a few people we found on the beach. Finally a French couple who were staying here agreed to go. The lady in charge of the place insisted that we pay 400/pp, even though there were 2 more Mexican tourists who just arrived.
After the 6 of us got on the boat, the captain drove to the little canal which leads to nowhere. He filled up gas, and then drove out of the piers. There were a lot of pelicans and trash on the rocks that made up the piers.
Finally we drove off along the coast. We stopped at San Joaquin camp. The only thing standing is the base of an old mill. There, we disembark. Some garbage here. There are motor taxis you can take, and the Mexican went with them. The Frenches and us walked with the captain/guide.
About 10 some minutes walk, we spotted flamingos. They are much closer than when I was in Rio Lagartos. Equally brilliant color. We walked a bit more, and saw more. A little bit of mud, but not much. The cloudy day turned more sunny. Good that I carried an umbrella now.
Back to the mill, rejoined the Mexican tourists back to the boat. Now it's a longer ride. We went into a narrow canal full of mangroves. Here is Gwen and Doris at the bow. Saw some termite mounds, more pelicans, and the last stop is a waterhole. We couldn't tell, until the captain pointed out. Well, it was enclosed with some sticks.
Driving back is breezy and enjoyable, now that the sun was shining and the sea took on a beautiful color. We saw quite a lot of people at the mill. Good that we went early, so we had the place to ourselves, even though we had to hunt for others to share the lancha.
It was just past 11:30 when the boat returned. Doris and I ate lunch at the waiting area watching the boats and the sea. There are benches and a roof that provides shade. She was telling me her travels and sharing her photos. Back in the main square of the town. A combi was about to leave, one guy (turned out to be a passenger) was announcing "direct to Merida". Instead of waiting for the 1pm bus, Doris and I went on the van, no longer keen on going to Sisal (probably another hour going and another coming back). Well, this combi is not direct. It stopped at wherever folks need to get off. Near Hunucmá, we didn't insist of going, so the van took a more direct road bypassing the town. We were back at Merida in 1.5 hours, instead of 2. 60 pesos. She wanted to use baño, so we asked for a few places, all required 6 pesos. So she didn't go. Tough girl. We bought some fruits and veggies at the market before heading home.
