Mar 15 Progreso, a north port now a cruise ship destination

  Today we drove north to the coast to Progreso. Used to be a commercial port. Now well developed cruise port with very developed malecon (beach walk) with gorgeous sandy beach. But yesterday you could have fried eggs on all that concrete and sand!

  I think a lot of Germans come here for winter. Certainly Ushi knows some people who do. They must just sit at the beach all the time. They look like turtles! Margit came here once for 2 weeks but was too far out of town to enjoy it. It’s a small town really. 

    Found a lovely beachfront resto overlooking the beach for a heavenly mixed seafood cocktail (enough for lunch) and shrimp tacos for Ted. Cocktail of huge shrimp, Robalo (bass), and octopus  - all just off (or maybe even) raw, with a lovely dipping sauce of tamarind and just a touch of spice. Washed down with beer. Keep the margaritas for evening as two of them knock me out! Lots of police patrolling the whole time but didn’t get the feeling it was necessary. Parking no problem.

 Afterwards we took a drive to an eco wetland park. You take a wee boat trip across the inlet and into the mangrove swamp. They are protecting it like crazy. Inspected our purse/backpack to make sure no food, sunblock, cigarettes in there! Hilarious. We just put them back in the car parked safely outside. 

  As you enter the mangrove area, cormorants and egrets in the trees. Lots of cute little coatimundis strolling in there, not afraid of humans. Like raccoons.  Turtles and crocs are common. There are several pools and cenotes (clear upwelling of water from the limestone base) where people swam. Lots of places to sit and enjoy the view and birds. 90pesos to get in ($7). Lovely. 

  Driving around towns here is easy, they are all one way - even one way, odd the other - and generally people well mannered! 

  After yesterday’s storm, the humidity is sky high, saps your energy big time. 

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