Back from Chetumal, The Maya Train and Lake Bacalar
Good morning all. I’m back from a quick(-ish) trip over our northern border for a routine endocrinologist appointment in Chetumal, Mexico. I then got on the Maya Train for the very first time – a short trip and VERY impressive trip from Chetumal to Bacalar. And 2 nights there – it was my first time back since 2012…and it has CHANGED!
I expected to be sharing my 500 pictures with you. From my trip across the border and my first time using my Belizean passport. (Spoiler: it makes the border crossing SO quick and easy)
To some great spots I ate in Chetumal. (Travelling after all is really just eating)
The train and the station and WOW. Now I can imagine why it cost $30 BILLION US DOLLARS! (There are 20 major stations and 14 minor but just being in Chetumal…I can TOTALLY picture that it cost 1 billion dollars to get it all done. Was it worth it? That’s another question)
** Note: There was a TON of environmental destruction and cultural controversy surrounding the building of this train. I do know that – I know I’m going to get lots of comments – but I also love a train and I love travel. It’s also a done deal so I’m going to focus on the upside.
And then 2 nights in beautiful but QUICKLY growing Bacalar on the magical Lake Bacalar. I don’t use the word “magic” lightly. This is a 40+ mile long FRESH WATER lake that is as blue as the Caribbean Sea. IT also has what they call a “fresh water reef”. These odd…blobs called: stromatolites. Ancient, living rock-like formations created by microorganisms called cyanobacteria. (The first organisms on earth…billions of years old…to create oxygen)
Here’s a BBC article – Mexico’s three-billion-year-old underwater lifeforms
I had a better view of them in 2012 – when we camped RIGHT next to them for 70 pesos per person! Now the lakefront is much much more crowded and sectioned off.
I was about to start writing about it all yesterday but our new, tiny dog Rosie was lethargic and vomiting and we brought her to SAGA Humane Society. She’s been diagnosed with heart worm (though tested negative just a few months ago) and stayed overnight.
We are going in soon to check on her again and await the results of her blood tests from Belize City.
Oh Rosie!
I’ll report back in the next day or two.
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Prayers for Rosie.
Thank you! She’s feeling much better – headed back to the doctor tomorrow. 🙂
Im sorry to hear about the dog. I hope for a positive turnout. If you dont mind sharing the information what does one have to pay for heart worm treatment in Belize? Its a small fortune in the states unfortunaetly.
There are two types – a “slow kill” which is a cheap, monthly shot for 6 months and then the one time EXPENSIVE shots (2 or 3…I forget) – it depends what is available, how advanced it is and what size dog it is. But I think it was $1500USD for our dog Momo to get the fast kill. And then it’s was like 40bzd a month for the slow.
Glad Rosie is feeling better!