Holbox!

Last weekend I went on a trip to Isla Holbox (EE-sla HOLE-boshe), a tiny and remote island on the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, where the Gulf of Mexico meets up with the Caribbean Sea. For no reason that is obvious to me, the university offered to organize and pay for transportation to and from the island, and anyone who wanted to go could do so, provided they pay for their room and board. This was a great opportunity for me to see Holbox because, taking regular transportation, you'd have to catch a 3 AM bus from Valladolid to Chiquila, where you then take the ferry to Holbox. Taking a charter bus with a bunch of my Mexican colleagues made the trip a lot easier - not to mention more fun!
We left at 7 AM and got to Chiquila by about 10:00 AM. Then the ferry ride lasted about half an hour. Arriving on Holbox, my first impression was of the sandy streets and golf cart taxis.


The island is known for its fresh seafood, green-blue tranquil waters, and super relaxed vibe.



Later in the day on Saturday, I was able to go on a boat excursion with my UNO colleagues. We were able to stop on a couple of very tiny islands where we saw lots of sea-birds (pelicans, egrets, and flamingos, among others).



We also went to see the ojo de agua, which is a fresh water swimming hole right alongside the marshy wetland seacoast. The water was chilly but refreshing!


The other very cool thing about Holbox is that, unlike the east-facing Riviera Maya, you can see the sunset.


While I still prefer the crystal-clear, turquoise waters and slightly bigger surf of the Riviera Maya, it was so nice to visit a new place. I had a lovely island weekend, and my American coworker, Betsy, and I really enjoyed the intimate glimpse we got into Mexican culture as a result of the time we spent with everyone on the bus and during our boat trip.