Uaymitun 2009-Blog Post #1 “A Different World!”

Welcome to a blog post that captures highlights from our very first trip to the Yucatán!

The Back Story

Many of our blog posts are from our winters spent in Uaymitun in the Yucatán! As most of you well know, we rent a beach house about an hour’s drive from Mérida about 20 minutes east of Progreso in little area known as Uaymitun.

However, our very first visit to the area was at the invite of my sister, Val, and her husband, George. They had been spending time on the West coast of Mexico and wanted to find something different. After renting, sight unseen, a beach house just east of Chicxulub they invited family members down to enjoy!

We were able to arrange our visit to coincide with my brother, Roger, and his wife, Sandy!

First Experiences

Tuesday, February 3 2009

After an early morning flight from Toronto to Cancun, we picked up our AVIS rental car from the airport and made our way out to the 180D Cuota, the toll highway from Cancun to Mérida. While I didn’t take any photos on the drive, courtesy of Google Maps, this is the view for most of the almost 250 kms!

There are two toll booths on the route and thankfully both have baños. We did stop and walk about at the first toll both and had a look at the somewhat interesting steam table street food being offered by the vendors… but we didn’t partake!

The 180D Cuota highway ends at Kantunil, which is about 65km from Mérida. The Periférico de Mérida is the ring road around the city. On our first trip, our impressions of the Periférico were to imagine Hwy 401 in Southern Ontario except with traffic lights, street vendors and the occasional level train crossing! While all such intersections have now been replaced by overpasses and glorietas, the level train crossing still exists!

Note: If the following picture(s) allow you to compare them by sliding the arrows in the middle, then a new feature actually works!

At the northern part of the ring road, we exited North onto 261 to Progreso.

Now, the junction of the 261 and the 27, La Costera, has dual glorietas (roundabouts) and is crossed over by the Bridge to Nowhere… see the linked blog for context! But, back then, one rattled down over topes and vibridores to the Alto signs.

Or check out the Before/After pics of the same intersection!

We turned right onto La Costera and headed towards Chicxulub and the great unknown! As we drove along, glancing at the wetlands on both sides of the road and the nether regions of the town of Chicxulub, we wondered just what were we getting ourselves into!!!

Fortunately, Val & George had emailed us pictures of the yellow monolith that marked the entrance to the lane leading to their rental beach house. It was late afternoon by the time we finally arrived! As we turned into the sandy lane we caught up to Val & Rog, who had walked out to the road to look for us!

At the Beach

After a great reunion, we settled into our quarters which included a bedroom with a really, really, really firm mattress and our own ensuite. Then it was time to explore and visit!

As we sat around the enormous dining room table remiscing, Val, Roger and I realized that this was the first time in 50 years that the three of us were actually on vacation together!

It was the start of a great time together!

The next blog will highlight our first foray into Progreso!

Cheers!

Love to all,

-Doug and Elaine

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