Eric and I weren't really expecting much with the cenotes excursion. We thought we'd manage our way down, take a look around, snap a few photos and be on our way. We certainly had no idea we'd actually be jumping in!
"Change into your swimsuits,...we're going
to snorkel in the caves," Juan Carlos (our guide) announces.
We are?!...Following without any further questions, we were led on a journey that I will take you through today. But before we dive in, a little geological context....
A cenote is a deep water-filled sinkhole that is created when the roof of an underground cavern collapses. This creates a freshwater pool, filled by rain and underground rivers. The cavern we are about to explore is a part of the Dos Ojos Cenote System along Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. At 5 miles long, it's the world's 2nd longest labrinyth system of underground rivers and served as the Mayan's only source of fresh water.
FROM ABOVE
• • •
Today's tour begins at this unassuming entrance at
Nohoch Nah Chich, Mayan for "Giant Bird Cage."
• • •
Get on your gear and slip into the fresh crystal clear water.
• • •
Don't forget to look up every once in a while. You can see fossils of
small marine creatures still embedded in the limestone ceilings.
• • •
You will spend most of your time navigating between the
stalactites from above and the stalagmites coming up from below.
Oh...and try not to kick your neighbor....or grab their leg, because
it might not actually be your husband's. It's dark in there. ~ Whoopsies;)
• • •
Every once in a while the guides will flash a light above.
In one part of the cave, you'll see bats hovering over your head.
From above it's eerie, but intriguing and you feel as though
you're the first to ever see this. You quickly realize you're straddling
two worlds, and the one below is even more majestic.
FROM BELOW
• • •
For the more advanced version of this experience,
you can safely discover the cenotes from below in these videos.
The Mayans believed they were the portals to the underworld....
• • •
Secrets of the Maya Underworld (Part 1 of 5 on Youtube)
Explore the Yucatan Cenotes
Learn:
These cenotes, filled with intrigue and rich history are a playground for documentaries.
• Planet Earth, Secrets of the Mayan Underworld
• Imax Journey into Amazing Caves
• Mysteries of the Maya
Visit:
• Alltournative Day Trips and Excursions
Backtrack
Our Honeymoon "Take 2"
Part 1: A Celebration in the Riviera Maya : Oh Sweet Casita
• • • LESSONS LEARNED • • •
Life is like a cenote. You have to dive in
to experience its beauty fully.
Get everyday adventure ideas @LiveLikeYoureTraveling
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